Balcony gardening isn't for the weak! Hauling the dirt and containers up stairs and through your living room takes a bit of commitment.  Yesterday I picked and ate this lovely tomato all by myself, because thats how I hauled all this stuff up here...by myself!

In the background of this photo are the broccoli and carrots I was told by a master gardner I could "never grow" on a balcony.  Well mister, while you are worrying away about your plant eating pests and small mammals, my balcony is free of everything but sunshine!  So EAT IT! Ok, maybe a little harsh.  But just to rub it in...I grew them organically!

While inspecting the fruits of my labor (I actually prefer labour...like blonde vs. blond) I noticed that Axel is getting a few freckles on his nose.  I asked him to show them to me so I could take a picture, when it occurred to me that he hasn't actually heard the word freckle! He thought for sure they were in his mouth!  How incredible it is to actually teach things to a child for the first time!

Forth of July this year was spent with Buzz Lightyear.  Having an animated child really has its benefits.  Last week when I saw that for a small mortgage payment I could purchase a set of life-like Buzz wings, I took Target up on their offer!

Jahred presented Axel with the flight pack just prior to a B-day party on Saturday.  As if on stage, Axel snapped into character immediately and without hesitation, he knew exactly how to operate his first pair of electronically retractable wings.  With over a 3ft wing span, hallways are a challenge, stairs are interesting, but any small ledge/rock/book to leap from is thrilling!  The box clearly states "not a flying toy", but says nothing about bounding, soaring, becoming a playground idol, or claiming to be the REAL Buzz Lightyear.

Perhaps the highlight of the weekend were the public flights with wings in full extension, lights blaring and hands reaching for the sky.  He made several passes through the crowds in Hudson as he watched his first "Fires", not really his first...just the first he could possibly remember.

I love this picture taken without flash on Grandpas lap.  It's so very vintage Atlantic City.  In complete awe, Axel took in all the Fireworks had to offer and then some.

...ok, I know this last photo looks like a professional fireworks photo, but I really did take it.  This is the raw image, no digital alterations!  Huh, I guess I even impress myself a bit.

I grew up in a family with an unfair hate of bumper stickers.  While I agree that it isn't necessary to broadcast your opinions on your car, I do enjoy some comic relief during rush hour.

Even though I told myself upon purchase of my first car that I would slap on a bumper sticker, I haven't found just the right one.  Perhaps it's like anything else, once you start, you can't stop?! I have yet to break the seal.

After another weekend on the road, I'm inspired to try a few virtual stickers, get up the guts, and maybe someday wear my heart on my bumper.  These stickers along with THOUSANDS more can be found at Cafe Press.

From conception on, I have focused on having a creative child.  Most of our day is spent with the guitar (accompanied by full-contact egg shaking and rhythm sticking), reading (not always the words exactly on the page), creating snowmen from playdough, and/or watering our "gordon" (garden).  In-between times are often spent with crayon (the most sophisticated/washable art medium in the house).

Although I have NEVER stressed to color in the lines, and we mostly use blank paper, this child has somehow gotten the idea that one must stay inside the "box".  Perhaps part of our genetic code starts with following guidelines, and results in color contest winning.  I remember my brother actually winning a coloring contest (although I'm pretty sure I colored his page). It must have looked awesome for a 4 year old (the true artist being 8).  He won a gigantic gift basket from the local Hallmark store and I was so completely jealous that right then and there I quit letting other people put their name on my work.  Truly, thanks to the coloring contest, I never cheated in school.  Someone receiving a brilliant gift basket (or an A+) by way of me...I dont think so.

Upon completion of Axels latest coloring endeavor, I wondered if he may some day win a coloring contest.  From random scribbles in multiple colors to unprovoked concentrated scribbling in classic solids.  Although I prefer to see a child using his inner genius and not following lame sketches in dollar store art books, inner genius won't be posted in the window of the local Hallmark, they want their bunnies crayoned to perfection.

So ok, the kid wants to stay in the lines?!  Can I at least push for expansive, unrefined use of color?

For as long as I can remember, "Robin Williams" has been the answer to my celebrity dreams. "Which celebrity would you like to have lunch with?" . . . "Which celebrity would you like to marry?" . . . "Who is your favorite actor alive or dead?"  Even before I could understand his inappropriate humor, I knew Robin was the guy for me.

Since Mr. Williams was unavailable on the day of my wedding, I married Jahred instead.  Now more careful of what I wish for, I don't get to be Robins wife, but I do believe I can sympathize with his mother.  Axel is comedically frustrating in every way.  He misbehaves, he wanders off, he does the most inappropriately funny things.  Although I can't pinpoint his future career exactly, it must be in the field of comedy, circus or one of those shows where people eat gross things, survive in the wilderness, whisperer of animals, or perhaps he will live with me forever and DRIVE ME NUTS.

Just to give you a little glimpse of what I'm dealing with . . . for every ONE of these:

 . . . I get about SEVEN of these:

Now you know.

Growing up as the oldest cousin on one side and an older cousin on the other side of my family, I spent many years being lead around by a tiny vice grip known as a toddler, under the command of "show you somethin'."

Come to find out, it's just as annoying with your own children.  At least 25 times a day, I am pushed, pulled or verbally coaxed into another room for a glimpse at "somethin'" I probably could have lived without.  How do all children eventually do this?  Once in a while however, it pays off.

This morning, while enjoying an organic Pop-Tart (ignore the oxymoron) and taking a breather, "MOM, SHOW YOU SOMETHIN'" came on the radar.  Within seconds Axel feet were clomping and I was helplessly being delivered to the living room.  Upon arrival, Axel proudly announced "Doctor Oggars (Oscar)!!!!!"  This clever little man had convinced the dog to dress in the Vet costume and to my shock, his floppy velvet ears were pulled back to reveal an actual stethoscope.  WOW, truly this kid can get his way even with the dog (who doesn't look incredibly thrilled).

Lesson learned, "show you somethin'" . . . sometimes it's really something!

As Axel explores his new town, he has discovered 2 things:
 - pine branches make great brooms
 - dandelions are "BEAUTY"

Yesterday we found a park with possibly the last "old-school" metal slide.  I see metal slides as a right-of-passage through childhood.  There's just something about that hot metal on your thighs.  It makes you hold them up, slide only on your clothing and thus zoom out of control down the slide. You can pick up a few problem solving skills from a metal slide.  I'm glad Axel got to experience one yesterday (and don't worry, since he's only 2, I checked the surface temp to avoid any serious burns)!

If you haven't sniffed a Dandelion lately, it has whole different meaning when your little guy asks you "smells good right mom?"  Suddenly it's the best smell in the world!

The toughest part is when you realize that until the closing on your house, you are in total limbo.  You are now living in someone else's house, not wanting to do any work to the house, and eventually you even stop cleaning.  I have spent the last few weeks purging of furtniture on Craigs List and sorting storage stuff from aparment essentials.  It's really hard to determine the 10 bins of stuff that will a) fit in the cramped living quarters and b) actually be needed.  As a person who loves to throw, I find myself wanting to just dump it all and start over; if we ever do get to that next "permanent" location.

So...instead of making tough decisions or boxing up a house full of baby firsts and memories, I have resorted to knitting and guitar sing alongs.

Axel has resorted to taking advantage of my knitting concentration, and has fallen in LOVE with jelly beans or as he calls them "birthday beans".  I caught him on the kitchen chair (which is a bar height chair) eating just the black beans ("they're hot mommy").

Knitting has brought peace like it always promises to do and even though winter is another 9 months away, 2 color wool hats are on my mind.  I found this AWESOME pattern, modeled after the US Olympic hats by Polo.  Since the Olympic hats were selling online for over $400, I decided to knit them for under $10.  Here is a link to the pattern.  CLICK HERE

* If you do wish to try this hat, I will warn you of a couple things.  It makes a HUGE hat if you follow the directions exactly.  I would use smaller needles (4's and 5's) and would possibly take out a couple of the solid white rows.  Also, make sure to tie-in often (if you are a 2 stranded knitter you know what I mean).  Watch the charts closely, they are a little off towards the bottom.

Below are pictures of my first olympic hat.  In my own classic style I stitched a name on the inside.  I am not revealing the name in the photos so as not to ruin the birthday surprise!!

Also this week I decided to put an end to YEARS of brainstorming.  I have always been wondering what to do with the bibs from the countless running races Jahred and I have done.  I snagged a couple of his running bibs from his childhood room wall, and a wallet is what I came up with!  I plan to give it to him for fathers day (completely a safe announcement since he wouldn't read my blog if I paid him).

Well, enough procrastinating.  With 2 weeks until apartment access, I have to collect myself, my crap and my family for one of the final steps in our "5 year plan".

Although I've always seen the world through an artistic lens, I've never slept with actual art on my sheets!

Trying to let Axel exhibit some independence while I clean, pack and purge, I never realized that my bed would erupt into a canvas.  On the loose with a green crayon, he made a few nice drawings on the largest blank slate he's ever had access to.  Must have been amazing for the 5 minutes before I caught him.

I was happily cleaning out the linen closet, ridding the bathroom of old product; literally I was just inches from him.  Trying to avoid eye contact...he was playing so quietly...should have been a sign.

My tip off was when he came in search of paper towels to "wipe".  He had attempted to clean the crayon with Windex off my night stand, and realized after soaking my pillow in Windex that he had gone too far.

Well, I've found out that although I claim to be a "professional re-locator", this is my first experience with child.  hmmmm, really takes the enjoyment out of the process.

Between the kid and the craptastic apartment we are not "moving into", but only "staying at for a short time", this is bound to be the most interesting move yet.

The move is sensed by all.  The dog especially.  I found him yesterday afternoon staking out the roof of his dog house ("This better be coming with us!").  Axel decided it best to hide with the one thing I am sure to not leave behind, my china.

Today we celebrated our last birthday in this house, Jahred's.  I'm secretly jealous that everyone got to spend one last birthday here...while I will be spending mine in a less desirable place.

Some things you want your kids to experience because you remember them as being really spectacular!  I've found however that many times as an adult these come as disapointments and tend to taint the perfectly preserved memories of childhood.  When I heard that "Sesame Street Live" was coming to town, I wondered whether this would be one of those cases?  Willing to take the risk, I immediately purchased 3 tickets, second row, to "123 Imagine with Elmo".

Axel is a Sesame addict and although he would retain no memory or joy from the experience (he's only 1 for goodness sake), I figured it would be a night well spent.

Yesterday was the big day and mid morning I got a call that my brother Andy was coming for a surprise visit.  Perfect!  He was an even bigger Sesame fan than I was!  I sacrificed my ticket, sent him in my place, and couldn't have been more happy to do so!

With the bag packed, child care instructions given and camera ready, I dropped Jahred, Axel and Andy off at the door.  Nearly bounding for the entrance, I thought Andy might knock some kids over!

Two things were great about this situation: Andy got the experience Sesame LIVE 20 years after our first time as kids, and I got to preserve my flawless recollection of childhood wonder.

An hour and 45 minutes later they called to say it was over.  Bounding once again to the car, I heard the rave reviews.  The seats were AWESOME, Axel was covered in streamers that blew off the stage, they had resisted purchasing an over-priced fiber-optic piece of crap and most of all, Axel sat motionless in complete awe for the entire performance!

No better satisfaction for a mother to know that an evening was meticulously planned and enjoyed.

On a less fabulous day like today, I have already stopped a tantrum by using 50 cents worth of tape to repair a 2 cent paper towel.

You never know what's coming down the shoot.

...Axel finally looked at the camera.  He seems annoyed at having to turn from the action. Photos are courtesy of Andy who snapped 51 fabulous pictures of the show and 1 fuzzy shot of Axel.