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!

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.