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!

An oldie but goodie has been given new life.  A couple years ago, my baby blanket was resurrected by Axel when he realized it had "bears" on it.  Such an animal lover...he has no idea that they are indeed "Care Bears," (boy would he have loved that show) and the bears are only the backing...the real show being Raggedy Ann and Andy.

Anyhow, my darling blanket, completely hand stitched nearly 28 years ago by Nana, has been made into forts, worn as a cape and basically loved to within an inch of it's life.  Slowly it has been shedding pieces of ric rac, a jump rope and many of the stitches are just plain worn off.  As each piece let go, I put them in a "special place" for the day when all would be made right.  Finally fed up with the dangling pieces and the tattered look, I went to make it "disappear" last night when Axel (insert sad eyes here) called, "don't take it away because it's...sniff sniff sniff...broken."  Ok, I think he's been watching a little too much Toy Story.

What a wonderful feeling it is to restore your baby blanket.  I seriously think an entire business model could be created around restoring childhood favorites...for adults.  Mending a piece of your childhood is like mending a piece of your adult self.  I didn't hand stitch it because I lack all the matching threads like Nana originally used.  I did however sew it with my beloved Salvation Army sewing machine and a bit of clear thread.

aahhhh.  To check something off the list.

"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.

According to Jessica Seinfeld, an easy way to get your kids to eat vegetables is to puree them and add them to their foods.  So what if you are blessed with a vegetable eating child...but aren't such a green indulger yourself?  

You puree veggies and put them in your OWN food!

For Christmas I was given Jessica's new cookbook, "Double Delicious" and it features some FABULOUS recipes using these hidden vegetables.  So far I have tried using Butternut Squash and Carrot purees, and for the first time in my LIFE I bought Cauliflower to puree for my next meal!

I was going to post a few of these recipes for you, but you can also find them on Oprah's website...CLICK HERE!

Another reason to puree...the portion sized frozen "cakes of wellness" are simply beautiful.  Only nature can provide such rich color.

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)