The Bionic Battery

I think every parent out there can relate to this. You know those annoyingly obnoxious toys that Just Won't Die? And it's nothing you've ever bought for your child. No. It comes disguised as a birthday present or a Christmas gift from some non-well-meaning relative or friend who thinks it's funny to get these things for your child. The louder and more annoying it is, the more your child loves it too. Can anyone relate?

About 4 years ago when Eric was at the height of his Thomas the Tank craze he received a musical Christmas tree ornament that was a train. You press the little red heart-shaped button and various ear-splitting-loud Christmas tunes play. It's amazing how loud this little thing plays. It's about 4" big, ya know?

Every year we pull this thing out of storage in our attic (which is freezing cold in the winter and boiling hot in the summer), and every freakin' year this train ornament still plays! And it doesn't play faintly......it's as loud as the first time Eric pressed that button. It's no wonder after the kids went to bed that I relocated the ornament to a very high branch. What kind of battery is in this thing, anyway? I had to laugh Sunday as I packed it away for another year, knowing full well that it probably won't die till my kids are teenagers.