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!

A girl has to fake a few things to get through life; and I have been faking my breakfast habits for a long time now.  Even my husband is completely blind to my inner cereal desires. The truth is, although I can put on a pretty face and choke down a bowl of granola with yogurt on top, what I really prefer is a larger than life helping of marshmallow cereal.  Preferably Lucky Charms, Marshmallow Mattees...really anything that turns the milk a funky shade of greenish pink.  I subconsciously eat the oats first and save the goods for last.  With each heaping spoonful of only mallows, I am already dreaming of my next bowl.

While shopping the co-op yesterday, I suddenly stumbled into my cereal Nirvana.  To my surprise, some respectable adult like myself developed an all-natural marshmallow cereal?!  Was it that hard to just swallow your pride Mr. Organic Companies and create the cereal that we all secretly desire? $3.79 was all this large box cost.  In the last 24 hours, 2.5 of my meals have consisted of "Mallow-Oats".  It is seriously yummy!

Another confession to faking it comes down to fashion.  When the 80's style started to make a comeback, I began dreaming of neon sunglasses, checkers and big hair.  Maintaining my "JCrew" style, I have compromised with myself and last week I bought a neon yellow sports bra. It is satisfying on 2 levels: the teens won't be able to mock me for being the mom who thinks she's a kid again, yet on the inside I know that I've still "got it".

This week, you all have my permission to fake or not to fake.  It isn't easy to turn a fake into reality, but sometimes you can meet it half way.

Feeling like I am emerging from a shelter post tornado, we are "settled" in the "Chateau Del Mar".

The closing on our property is less then 48 hours away, Axel has only asked twice "please lets go home", and I have managed to tearlessly lead the exodus and final cleaning.

Despite our tiny living quarters, I have managed to create a liveable version of the home we loved so much!  It also helps that I am very fond of our new town.  Not sure if it's the nostalgia of returning to my college stomping grounds, the smell of the food co-op or the library that is more beautiful than a Rocky Mountain lodge, I am happy to be here.

Being so "snug", I am learning quickly to think verticle.  Every shelf has a purpose and every shelf top is utilized as well.  I am secretly pretending that "Chateau Del Mar" is in New York City.  I've wanted to live there possibly my whole life and I just consider this practice (or maybe the closest thing I'll get).  Never mind the shabby siding, I see our place as a lovely brown stone on the upper east side...our door man just happens to be on an indefinite vacation.

Well, more to come when the closing on 810 Baker is actually over and I can officially breathe again.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT MY ETSY SALE . . . see previous post.