Lynda Loveland: Their favorite gift

My husband and I spent a lot of time thinking about what would be the perfect gift for our kids for Christmas. What do they talk about the most? What would they actually use, a lot? Turns out we could have saved some money.

My seven-year-old daughter got a DS XL. She totally digs the tech stuff. My five-year-old son got super heroes. The boy LOVES super heroes. Plays with them constantly. And my three-year-old daughter got several Barbies and a Ken doll. They're already married with kids.

Well, Santa one upped us. On the cheap too. In her stocking, Campbell pulled out, among other things, what else but a ........... whoopie cushion! Ah geez, the kids played with and fought over that thing all day! Their dejected and forgotten toys were strewn all over the house. The whoopie cushion took center stage, much to my chagrin.

At one point, the cushion was dropped on the floor and the puppy, Bindi, snatched it up. Those sharp, little teeth made quick work of it. The cushion was silenced. Bummer. The kids said she should be punished. So I did. With a fresh bag of duck jerky. Good dog!

Have a great New Year! Let's make 2011 one to remember!