About 13 years ago, long before I thought I would have children, I saw an offer for free ice cream spoons somewhere so I sent away for them, not really knowing what I would use them for but thought they might come in handy some day.  It was quite a lot of spoons and my husband wondered where I would put them.  First, they were in the top of the hall closet.  Then when we started a craft box about 5 years ago, I put them in there.  They have been of mild interest a few times but nothing like today.  This morning, I mentioned the Little Kiddle dolls that I used to play with when I was very small.  (Did any of you play with a Little Kiddle doll?)  One of my kids got the idea to draw a doll on one of the little wooden spoons with a marker and then the idea morphed into the entire cast and crew of Star Trek Enterprise.  My kids love that show even though they have only seen a few well-screened episodes (we have them on video).  They really like the music, too.  Anyway, they love the Trouble with Tribbles episode (if I have to explain it, you really don't need to know) and they've spent the entire afternoon re-enacting that episode or making more characters to act out other scenes, either made-up or from another show.  I think right now they are making cardboard stands for their characters and there's rumour that Alec has launched another line of characters from some other story, hard to say.  My point?  From these entirely free spoons, my children have spent a rainy afternoon having fun, being creative, free from TV or computer, free from fighting, free from jumping on the couch (What are the rules of the couch?!!)  I LOVE IT!!  I try to be a frugal mom in every way I can and over the years, I've tried to gather or save things that might come in handy for art projects.  But I think the spoons win the trophy as far as being most used and most fun.  I can see the kids in the next room and I think they've invented a game using the characters.  Next they'll be asking to sleep with the spoons in their beds.  Not!  I'm so glad I sent away for those spoons (thank you, Lord!)  You just never know what's going to be the next hit of the day!