Dream Reviews

I am not reviewing dreams today, but dreaming of reviews. I have been granted the opportunity to review a product for CSN Stores. CSN has over 200 online stores selling nearly everything imaginable. You can get everything from an L Shaped Desk to 50,000 Btu Gas Forced Air Heaters to literally the kitchen sink. You can't even find variety like that at Wal Mart.

Part of the fun of this review was shopping through all the possible items for purchase. I hate shopping, but a little online shopping is tolerable, especially when the store has everything from power tools to kitchen gadgets. While shopping for all this stuff I couldn't help but think of some potential parenting dream items.  These items are not in stores, as far as I know, but they would be a welcome addition to any home with small children.

Here is my list of 10 dream items that would excite parents everywhere. Feel free to take these ideas and run with them product development people.

1. Sleep Ray Gun - I could use this baby during those 3 am play sessions that Braden loves to have. One shot of the Sleep Ray Gun and it's back to dream land for Braden and his loving parents.
2. Poop Vaporizer - I stole this from a movie. Bonus points for anyone who actually saw the movie. There can't be many of you.
3. Handy Helper - I stole this one too. It comes from a certain cartoon mouse. The Handy Helper is a giant hand that comes out of the wall and helps out around the house. I could always use another hand even if it's just to slap me back into consciousness.
4. How to be a Jedi Guide - This would work two ways. Jedi mind trick on a toddler that is prone to arguing. Picking up toys without leaving the couch.
5. Instant Chicken Nuggets - Sometimes that 10 minute prep time is our enemy.
6. No Preview DVDs - Much like the nugget prep time the previews on children's DVDs are a killer. And most of the time you can't skip them. Note to DVD people: This is one of my least favorite features of any product I have ever owned. Fix it!!!
7. Monkey Renewer - Braden's best friend in the world is his Monkey. This thing has literally been loved to death. Instant Monkey Renewal Spray could zap Monkey back to his original state thus eliminating the authentic monkey odor.
8. Infinite Toy Box - This would be a small toy box that opens up into a bottomless pit of storage. There is no limit to the amount of cars, trucks, balls, and Toy Story figures you can put in this thing.
9. 10 year batteries - Actually this should probably be number one and in all caps. Lets make a better battery people!!!
10. Parenting Pill - For those days when I'm just not feeling it. I could use a pill to get me back in Dad mode. They have pills for everything else so why not?

Secret Snoopy Love

I have written about Braden watching Cars enough to make everyone sick. Recently he has toned that down a bit. He will change DVDs to Elmo or Shrek at some point most evenings. The main reason he does it is just because he likes to change the DVDs out. We let him do it, and he feels all grown up.

Despite all the talk about Cars, Braden actually has an affinity for some classics as well. He watches the Mickey Mouse club house every morning while eating his breakfast. That may not be a classic but Mickey himself is as classic as they come. From Steamboat Willie until now that mouse has been the man.

Braden calls Mickey "Dot Dog" because of the hot dog song and dance at the end of the show. He knows his name is Mickey but never calls him that. If I ask what Mickey says Braden will reply "Dot dot dog" in his best excited sing songy voice.

Braden has two stuffed Mickey's as well. One is about the same size as our little man. He calls him "Big Dot Dog". The other is about the size of my hand. He calls that one "Mo Dot Dog" as in more hot dog.

Braden sleeps with both of them every night along with his pal Monkey.

The other classic Braden loves would be a surprise to even the little man himself. He doesn't know it yet, but I am certain that he has a secret liking for Snoopy. I loved Snoopy as a kid so imagine how excited I was recently when I saw Braden imitating my favorite cartoon beagle.