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     Some of you know my soon-to-be 19 year old son Jonathan.  If you know him, you know he takes Christmas and Santa very seriously.  

     The week before Thanksgiving I casually mentioned to Jon that maybe he should think about putting a list together for Santa.  I emphasized that Santa is a "toy guy" and since you no longer asks for toys it may be a good idea for me to email the list to Santa ahead of time to make sure he can bring the items you wants.  Jon is, as most of you know, very interested...no make that obsessed, with trains.

     My request for a list was met with an emphatic "No, it's not Thanksgiving yet" response, even though it was only a few days before Thanksgiving.  It simply was not the proper time for Jon to start the list. The day after Thanksgiving however, it seemed all bets were off and it was now the right time for Jon to put the list together. 

     I happened to catch Jon downstairs working on his list.  He was diligently writing away with intense concentration as he referred to his catalogs and back to his list.  He seemed to be writing for an awfully long time.  I thought...this can't be good for Santa.

     Finally, after what seemed to be hours, Jon presented his list.  It was quite extensive.  The front of the page had over 20 items written in perfect penmanship...all train related.  When I turned the sheet over there were at least a dozen more, plus a few country music CD's, which surprised me.  Every item other than the music CD's were train videos, sweatshirts and tee shirts.  I knew immediately that Santa was in deep trouble.

     Jokingly, I said to Jon, "Hey...you haven't been that good this year"  Of course, Jon disagreed completely! 

     Once he left for school on Monday morning, I found the list in his train catalog and photocopied it, so I could begin my search of some of the items on his list.  Santa likes to do a lot of Christmas shopping on-line and was able to cross off several items on the photocopied list.

     Monday, December 5th was the day Jon and I chose to go to the mall to see Santa.  We picked the perfect time to go, which was right after he got home from school.  We got there at about 3:00pm. There was no one in line to see Santa except Jon and I. Jon brought the list with him and I asked if he was going to give the list to Santa.  Jon said "No". 

     After the obscenely expensive, marginal quality digital photo's were taken, Jon began to read the entire list to Santa.  Yes,  the entire list!  In an effort to give Santa a break, I politely interrupted during Jons list reading ceremony and mentioned that I had emailed the list to Santa (with a wink) so he didn't really have to read the whole list to him.  Jon said "No" and kept right on reading.  Santa had the patience of a Saint (Nick) and listened with what seemed to be genuine interest and without having to stifle a single yawn.  I was impressed. 

     After we thanked Santa and wished him a Merry Christmas, were handed our ultra-cool Christmas 3D glasses, picked up our keepsake photo for 2011 and headed home with my wallet $20 lighter. 

     Jon was happy and I was grateful for another successful visit with Santa. 

     Jon was quite pleased with all his train gifts on Christmas morning and his music CD's too.  

     There are still a lot of items on the list that Santa did not get to, but Jon (and Nick) have a birthday coming up in January...so we may shorten the list still. 

     Winter activities are fun for most kids, but for special needs kids it can sometimes be a time consuming and exhausting challenge to get them bundled up and outside only to have them come back in a short time later to "un-bundle" them.  Bitter cold January days can make even a snowman wish for warmer weather! 

     Steve Spangler is an author, teacher and toy designer who is frequently featured on the Ellen DeGeneres show. He always has crazy, quirky science experiments and is a treat to watch.  Steve is a fan of anything that erupts, explodes or bubbles over.  One of Steve's experiments involve an incredible product called Insta-Snow®      

     Insta-Snow® the first and original instant snow polymer that actually erupts. No stirring required. Just add water and watch it erupt into snow in seconds.  It looks just like real snow.  You won't believe your eyes. The best part is Insta-Snow® is made of non-hazardous material and is completely re-usable!

     Another one of his cool products - Steve Spanglers Fun Slide Carpet Skates!

     With Fun Slide Carpet Skates, you can turn your carpeted house into a gigantic skating rink.

     Fun Slides are made by a company that manufactures friction-resistant plastic gliders for moving heavy furniture.The company decided to make their product in the shape of feet, adding a foam foot grip with an adjustable strap. You simply slip the skates on over your sneakers and carpet skate the day away! Recommended for children ages 6 and up and fits over most feet or shoes.