What do I tell my mom??

[babymango]

My mom is currently in Australia and won't be with us for Christmas. She was planning on ordering DS' xmas gift online and have them shipped to us, but she lost track of time, and now the toys she was planning on buying are not available anymore. She sent me an email asking me to look for them in store. First, Im 38+ week pregnant, I don't have a car, and we're snowed in. Im not going out.
Second, Im really not impressed by her choice of toys. She had sent me a list before with a couple suggestions, asking for feedback. The ones she actually decided to buy are the ones I gave so-so feedback on! It's like she fell in love with the toys and completely ignored the fact that I don't think they're that great for DS. (it's the laugh and learn cd player and the storybook rhymes)
He's going to be 17 months by xmas, but he's not super interested in toys designed for his age group. I know the box says 6-36 months for those toys, but I know he would get bored really quickly. He wants to DO things, not press buttons. And if he doesnt get bored with them, I will be the one getting really annoyed by hearing the same 3 songs over and over and over again.
The other beef I have is that those toys are in english. Im struggling here to expose my son to french as much as possible, I don't need her to undermine my efforts. Obviously, she hasn't done it on purpose, and obviously, this being the USA finding french versions of those toys is quite a challenge. But why did she have to go pick toys that are language specific? Why not a puzzle or a car? (My parents are french speaking and very militant about us and the grand kids speaking french.  We're french canadians temporarily living in Minnesota)
Anyway, blame the hormones, but im really pissed with her. Probably without a good reason, afterall she's trying to spoil her grandson whom she loves dearly (isnt that the only thing that should matter???) I don't know what to say. I found one of the toys online, but not the other. I kind of want to tell her that I can't find them anywhere, to come up with something else. But im worried she's going to keep looking and find them for a crazy price, with crazy shipping fees...
Also, im not sure I want to fight that battle. It's the thought that counts right? The worst thing that can happen is that DS doesnt like them, and I save them for later, for his baby sister. Right? It's not like she's buying him something that is way out of line or that's not safe. But at the same time, I hate to think she might be wasting her money.
All the suggestions she had on her list were battery operated, noisy toys. Maybe we liked those when we were kids? It's so not the type of toy that im trying to get for DS. We're trying to be as eco conscious as possible and made in china, battery operated, plastic toys usually don't fit the bill.

What do I tell her?
That I couldnt find the toys?
To wait until she visits in january, we'll go shopping together (not sure I'll feel much like shopping at 2-3 weeks post partum)?
Should I give her other suggestions? I had previously given her a list of websites that pretty much only had toys that I would be comfortable with, but that got ignored.
It would be cool if she could bring something back from Australia, but I dont think she has any room in her bags

[gumblossom]

I feel you pain. My parents and parents in-law ask for suggestions, then give us a bunch of nasty,tacky plastic toys. It's obvious that I like wooden, natural, cloth and eco-friendly toys.

So now I ask for craft supplies and books. It usually turns out okay.

However, my children seem to really like the bright plastic rubbish....so frustrating.

Personally, I would try some gentle suggestions, and tell her that although I found the gift she liked, you'd prefer gifts without batteries as they need to be replaced too often and your child gets bored with them.

I don't think I'd be going out in winter at 2-3 weeks post-partum to shop for toys.That sound like hell to me!

I do hope it all works out for you.

[crunchy_mommy]

I'd just tell her you don't have the time or energy to shop for the items & don't even have a car... but you already have XYZ [toy you were planning on giving him from you] & know he'll love but it could be from her instead. Then you could order DS another toy from the sites you like to give him yourself. A bit round-about, hope that makes sense...

If she doesn't like that idea, then she can go ahead & find & order the items she already picked out, crazy shipping fees & all... and just graciously accept it & move on. I know how you feel, I hate knowing that MIL is probably wasting her money on toys my DS will likely have no interest in & don't really fit with how we're trying to raise him... but my plan is to just say thank you, let him play with it a bit if he's interested, then put it in storage 'til they visit or just donate it....

[OkiMom]

Honestly Im pretty moody when Im pregnant so if my Dad pulled that I would tell him Im not his personal shopper so no I can't.. Of course my dad and I have a pretty open relationship about that type of stuff and he wouldn't get offended/upset if I said that. He would probably laugh and tell me to find something online and send him the link then.. then comment about the fact that I must be his personal shopper because I just did his shopping for him. Then it would become an on-running family joke for years to come because that is just how it goes with my family.

I would tell her sorry I can't go shopping because we are snow bound.

[just_lily]

If he is 17mo it really isn't going to matter to him whether he gets a present on December 25th or January 15th.  I would tell her that you don't think you are going to be able to make it out before Christmas, but will go shopping for him as soon as you get a chance (whenever that may be). 

If she is coming in January, would *she* be able to take your toddler shopping while you stay home and nap with the baby??