Ahoy, Matey!

My 4-year-old and 1-year-old are both having a grand time playing with this Playtown Pirate Ship and Pirates Set. This is a fun, sturdy, well-crafted toy (there are nice wooden accents) that features a working anchor, cannonball launcher, working wheel, extending planks, moving telescope, and a multi-ethnic pirate and "first mate" who are sized "chunky" for little hands. I can attest that this toy encourages open-ended play very well (though also difficulty sharing between my kids..) and even includes a free musical board book. Available for $24.89 at Amazon.com.

p.s. It is 4:24 am and I have been up since 1:15am with a miserable Baby S. who is cutting his molars. Whoever said infant Motrin works for teething must've been lying.