Santa Slips Up

Twice.
First, I had a stash in my closet that I thought was hidden well enough, but "Buzz"
(ironically)
Lightyear is Andrew's drug of choice, and he can sniff one out like a trained airport canine. (see a small portion of his stash, above.) I came out of the shower Sunday to find him fixated on the remote Buzz on a motorcycle toy, retinas twitching. "Mom, WHAT'S THIS??" I immediately stammered into damage control... "uh, uh, Dad got that for a little boy that... for a sub for santa thingy.... for TOYS FOR TOTS." After a lengthy explanation, Andrew seemed satisfied, and I distracted him with something in the kitchen while I hid it again. Soon he came back asking to see it again. I, the big sabbath-day liar (lightning bolts abounding) told him that Daddy had slipped in a few minutes ago to take it to be donated. "Didn't you see him?" (eyes rolling) Andrew comes back with his typical "aaaawwwwww!" response.
Then Monday, I went to pick the kids up from school after doing a little shopping, completely forgetting that I had left a Barbie razor scooter in plain view in the back seat. Abby hops in and immediately asks "what's this?" (!!Not again!! I am thinking. Hear Napoleon Dynamite saying "you eeediot!") So what do I do, but pull out the Toys for Tots explanation again. Abby assures me that some little girl will love it, that most girls love Barbies (and if they are anything like Abby, their lives revolve around them...). "Do you think you would like something like that scooter?" I slyly ask. "Not this year" she replies. (face in hands) Well, at least I found out before Christmas morning.
And yet, it is still only November. I'd better do two things:
1, find a more secure gift buying/hiding system, and
2, do right by the universe and make a big donation to Toys for Tots this year!