When Did THIS Happen?

o.k. we're all parents.

we know the joys of buying toys for the kids....

and then needing a degree in engineering to open them. Y'all know what I'm talking about. The grey wire that is twisted and corregated and wrapped around left and then right and then over and under- and there are like 17,000 of them to get through, and 2-3 curse words later, they're gone. And then there is another layer. y'all know.

but tonight, I did rejoice and celebrate that an engineer out there finally came up with something to help all us parents out, and at the same time prevent the (apparent) shop lift- or you wouldn't need a pair of scissors and an attitude to open said gifts.

I think this engineer had a kid. very first kid. and the kid had their first birthday party, or christmas. and he/she turned to their spouse and I believe in my heart of hearts said,

"damn. We gotta fix this."

And fix it they did. Maybe this has been out for awhile? I don't buy toys for the kids....really much at all. But tonight, I took Sebi to Wal-Mart with me and in the middle of looking at candles and other fun stuff, I decided that I would take him to the toy section for a "very special treat". which I intended to be Lego's, and he decided would be a Diego bath toy. He is the kid.

We got home and he asked me to open his toy. And to my surprise there is this new black thingy (I know that's very technical) that the grey wire is strung through and it has these notches that it can wrap around. I wish I had taken a picture. But, I was so taken aback at how easy it was to set the toy free that I just went with it.

Bring it, Christmas '08. bring it.

I'm ready. No scissors, no attitude. No flipping a coin for who has to "free" the toys.

And I love you engineer who just had a baby. And what the HECK were you thinking before this?