This little peanut was given to me (I'm afraid upon my seemingly desperate request) from a dear Mankato friend.  Plants seem to be the one possession not on the purging block lately.  Because I'm not quite ready to reveal where we'll be headed (for fear of jinxing it), I spend this post fully realizing what I will be leaving behind.

The last decade of my life, amounting to more than 1/3 of my total life, has been spent right here in Southern Minnesota.  If you are a follower of my blog you'll recall the love/hate relationship I have with this geographical region; I'm sure not unlike many of you, feeling trapped in the wrong city at the wrong time.  Is it always right before you leave that you realize you were in the exact right city during the exact right times?

With a few tears, I realize that it is here, where I became a wife, a mother and an ever-grateful pet owner.  In these county lines we've received priceless education that will carry us for careers and promotions to come.  Perhaps most importantly it was Saint Peter and then Mankato that introduced me to college friends who have watched my metamorphosis without judgement, and life friends that I never thought I could meet.

Because I never count my chickens before they hatch, I am now counting my blessings, that have hatched and never fled my nest.  To dear friends and places...what if I never would have met you?

Today could be the first day of a beautiful Minnesota spring.  +40 degrees makes this (formerly) Southern Minnesota girl real happy.  Axel and I shared the most lovely picnic under a blanket on our balcony for supper.  I'm not sure if he was ecstatic because his mom finally did something cool by him (it's been a long stressful winter), or if there's something Minnesota sun holds over Florida sunshine.

One of the biggest things I'll have to move this time around is my heart.  Good friends and times are hard to come by.  Despite pressure from the oil industry, my car will certainly have many "friend miles" in the future.  That's alright by me.  As for the plant?  She'll make the move.  Hopefully when restored to a radiant version of herself, I'll convince the original owner to come up for a visit to claim her.

I write today in the usual post-vacation state of mind "did that vacation really happen?"  "Did I ever really leave?"  

Yes, fly away we did, to Florida for 2 weeks and it was fabulous.  I had two requests before I left...
1. That Jahred would find a dreamy job.
2. For the mounds of Minnesota snow to be a distant memory.
...stay tuned to the end of this post to find out which request my personal genie granted.

If you haven't recently travelled with a "barely-3-year-old", you might be curious to know whats important for two weeks at "Nana's Floridian Paradise".  Here's a pic of what Axel packed in his suitcase (actually was my suitcase when I was a little girl).  Tucked in the upper flap are not one, but two Super Capes (never know when you'll need a spare).  A sack of cars sits below a bedtime friend, and of course you need a good beverage (sipped, of course, from your favorite mug/tippy cup).

*Not Pictured:  Axel added his police badge, procured from a State Patrolman at Kwik Trip a few weeks ago, at 5:30am the morning of our departure.  

**Lesson:  In case the authority of your Super Cape (and backup Super Cape) is questioned, it's best to have your law enforcement identification along as well.

"Where are we going?"

First (and frequent) stop the POOL!

Perhaps our best vacation moments were spent right here...New Smyrna Beach.  Heaven must exist somewhere between children and the ocean, the combination is truly breathtaking. 

We managed to catch (literally almost colliding to get this picture...which isn't zoomed by the way) Tyler in a triathlon in Clermont, FL.

Here is Axel's interpretation of a "Pencil Dive".  To all you diving enthusiasts...focusing on "pencils" with little splash...maybe you could send a pointer for him.

Making two stops to our favorite flea market this year, Axel fell in LOVE.  My moral compass was spinning wildly when I imagined the breeding conditions of these dogs...but the wonderful thing about children is...they see, they love, and their hearts aren't yet bitter enough to ask questions.

It was a beautiful trip.  Nana, you made it happen.

As promised, I would reveal the answer to my genie riddle.  While I was away, as midwesterners know, the snow kept right on coming.  However...I was not going to be totally shut out on wishes...Jahred accepted an AMAZING job, right exactly were he was meant to find one.

More details on the job and another impending move to come.

Happy spring break to all to are "va- and stay-cationing".

Can't believe my baby boy turns three this week!  Seriously, it's unfair that kids grow up...we really don't need more adults!  Last weekend the festivities began with a snow sculpture of Lightening McQueen, 2 parties fit for a king (rather a cowboy/space ranger) and one trip to the aquarium (thanks to our annual pass).

Every year for his birthday I put together a playlist of songs that helped us survive the previous 12 months.  This years playlist features mostly the classics, and a few that make us DANCE!  You can probably guess which ones are for me and which are for him...but at nearly three, I still consider us one being.

In case you need a new playlist to rock at home or on the road, I'm offering a GIVEAWAY!  Yes, I will send you a mix tape (cd) of "Axel Turns 3".  To enter, you need only respond to this post with your favorite birthday memory (can be super short).

A memory will be chosen at random next Monday, February 21st...the day before Axel and I head south for a couple weeks!

It's been a while since I've seen a toy with as many multi-generational applications as the "Crayola Glow Station."  Using a Christmas gift card last night, Axel picked this baby out at Michaels and I was quite pleased.

WOW, how addicting is this!  Slightly larger than an etch-a-sketch and perfect size for riding in the car, simply step into a dark room, illuminate the wand and you're ready to draw.  The board comes with a few stencils, but literally ANYTHING can leave a glowing shadow.  Axel had such a blast tracing Woody, Jesse and Lightening McQueen...just to name a few.  

Jahred took the toy for a trial (thank you Elizabeth for catching this typo...formerly "trail") run in the bathroom this morning and was equally impressed!  He suggested that film negatives would look AWESOME, brought to life in neon.  Transparencies with written words or pictures work really well, and of course you can draw free hand.  Eventually the ghostly images fade and it's ever-so-enticing to see what you can light up next.  Best thing about this toy...not many parts, stores flat or stacked with books and it's NOT MESSY!

Ok, if you are a kid of ANY age...I highly recommend this for some serious "winter darkness" relief!

"I was sewing in Preschool Mom," he yelled (not even out of his classroom yet) while presenting me with the most beautiful piece of wonderfulness.

Seriously, I have waited my whole life for a jewelry box full of noodles, pipe-cleaners and pony beads...just before my son turns three, I take my maiden voyage down "wear it with love" lane.  Hopefully, this bracelet is only the first in a long line of Axels "Sewn" Accessories.  

On a side note...but not really unrelated...take a look at the coloring progress only 3 months in preschool can award.  You may have seen paintings and drawings posted previously on my blog...there have been significant changes.  Kids are incredible!  You can literally sit still and watch them learn (which is what I've been doing for the past 35 months)!

Am I the only "grad school" wife to think that upon graduation all the struggles will end?  Could I have been so deluded to assume that a job would magically slap itself in front of us as he walked across the stage?  Wow, I've clearly not learned the lessons of "shit economy"/life.

So, for the last few weeks I've been scouting and Jahred has been applying.  I'm sorry to say that Mr. Job Wonderful has yet to arrive but with so many irons in the fire, eventually it should spark...right?

A special "shout out" and a HUGE "thank you" to our many helpers who are pounding the doors of human resource departments...please keep knocking!

Aside from all of that business, last weekend we took an Axel "time out" and got to some fun things we've been meaning to do.  For x-mas, we were given a membership to "Under Water World" at the Mall of America.  I have been dying to go...so Friday we took Axel to visit the sharks.  He bit...big time...and would have stayed all day.  Lucky for him, we have a whole year of aquatic fun ahead of us!

Also this weekend we took him to a pool.  We miss the summer pool at Grandpa and Grandmas so it was nice to see him jump right in and remember the beauty of water.  Wanting to capture the moment I busted out the camera, only to be shot down by a junior lifeguard.  Apparently, cameras are no longer allowed at the public pool since a pervert was taking pictures of kids.  WHAT THE HELL?  Sometimes I wonder what America is coming to.  The land of the free, and the home of "don't you dare take a picture of your own kid".  I understand the rule, but wonder with all the discreet picture taking devices how this can possibly be enforced.

So...for a change, only a small disappointment this weekend and this time not in hospital administration, but at society as a whole.  I find broad spectrum blame to be most helpful in these stressful situations, but I'm glad to say that our "weekend retreat" was helpful.

Monday morning, time to hop on the job sites.  Have a wonderful week...please pray for spring.

This year turned out to be a "dress-up" themed Christmas.  From the opening ceremonies on Christmas Eve to bedtime on Christmas night, the outfits and costumes poured in...Axel of course was happy to perform.  

We had a wonderful and busy Holiday and are looking forward to the New Year for relaxing and reflecting.  Here are a couple of the dress-up highlights.  Not pictured are several outfits in-between, and an adorable home-made Chef outfit for Axel (I'll try to catch a photo during our next cooking adventure).

...stuffed beaver...

...Woody and Jesse, compliments of ebay...

...present delivering elf, featuring Beaver t-shirt from Etsy...

...under arrest...

...new PJ's, new Legos...off to bed!

Because America today seems to be lacking in tradition, I am so glad that certain rituals remain...the Church Christmas Pageant.

In preschool, the kids have been practicing their Christmas songs for months all in preparation for last nights program.  I truly had my doubts about our little Shepherd's ability to stay on stage, with relatives traveling from distances between 20 and 100 miles, I was relieved when Axel came through with his "A-game".

Little need be said on the subject of pride here.  For bragging rights in my own mind alone, I will just say that Axel, my precious, ever-challenging boy, managed an hour service, dressed in full costume (he assumed he got to wear his "Max" costume from "Where the Wild Things Are"...boy that was a shock...I let Mrs. Moldstad break that news).

So we've been doing some traveling...as this season brings to a 2-year-old many new friends and experiences.  I always say of Axel that "every day is a new day" and truly it is when your eyes are brand new to the world.  

In the last couple of weeks we've met "THE REAL" Curious George in his live stage show, and been introduced to "THE REAL" Santa on Main Street, Hudson, Wisconsin (pulled by his horse named "Lilly"...seriously, could they have re-named her something magical just for one night).  None the less, that's what my Holiday Season is shaping up to, meeting and greeting!

Because the shop is at a steady hum, I haven't had a chance to blog anything philosophical...not that you all expect that...but I have been working on a few of the world's problems in the wee hours (like all mothers do when nerves keep them awake).  Not ready yet to share my solutions to the Mankato State University's Nursing Program, the global economic crisis or how better to sand/salt Minnesota roads...I'll just share a few pics of our recent fun.

So before the snow fell, we found ourselves at a park.  From across the playground, Axel spied an older girl, black jeans, vintage t-shirt, shy smile . . . skateboard.  I watched as he jogged over to her.

Axel - [smile with teeth, excitement in his voice] "I like your skateboard!"
Girl - [shifting her weight, touching the edge of her upturned skateboard slightly, slight smile without teeth] "Thanks."
Axel - [reaches out to touch her skateboard, eyes wide, awkward pause]
Girl - [fidgeting] "Here, you can have this." [twisting a silly band loose from the stash on her arm]
Axel - [immediately slinging the band around his own wrist] "Oh...um...thanks!" [big grin, runs back to me, glancing
           over his shoulder at his new friend]

Axel - [to me] "She gave that to me, to be my friend, she haves a skateboard."

What's better than your child being accepted by other children?  I was under the impression that this "Silly Band" trend was just that...silly.  What can be so exciting about rubber bands that have a shape?  Really though, they're just the lazy kids friendship bracelet, and anything promoting friendship can't be all bad.  

He was more than happy to pose for this picture when we got home.  (sigh)