By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- Second, third and fourth graders at St. John's Lutheran School are eager for Santa Clause to bring them some presents for Christimas.
Among the hottest toys this Christmas are Microsoft's XBox, Nintendo's Game Boy SP, Sony's PlayStation 2, Bratz: Stylin' It, Bounce 'Round, The Dog Feature Plush, Bratz Krazy Kool Karaoke with Monitor, Easy Bake Real Meal Oven, Go Go, My So Real Puppy and My Scene Chillin' Out Barbie.
Also among the hottest toys this year are believe it or not, Care Bears, which were big in the 1990s. Strawberry Shortcake also makes a return to the hottest toys list, another item that is more than a decade old.
An item which has remained hot for the past few years is Elmo, who this year is going as Hokey Pokey Elmo.
And, as it turns out, only one of 10 students asked what they wanted to Christmas, only one of them wanted an item off the hottest toys list.
They also kept their lists short, but were very confident that Kris Kringle would deliver the goods on Dec. 25.
Ashley Dunlap, a second grader, wanted a disco ball, while Mason Morales, a fourth grader, wanted the new Game Boy SP.
Michala Froehlich, also a fourth grader, noted that she wanted a charm bracelet, which of course could be the gift that keeps on giving.
Emily Clark, a third grader, wanted an American Girl Doll for Christmas. The American Girls Collection has become very popular over the past few years. Besides the dolls, there is stationary, accessories and a set of books.
Stephanie Taylor, a fourth grader, and the sister of Ashley, is looking to be a bit more stylish this Christmas as she wishes for pink roller skates.
Perhaps Stephanie and Ashley can team up for a little disco roller skating this Christmas.
Faith Styx, also a fourth grader, wants a musical Christmas as is asking for a new keyboard.
Matt High, a third grader, is asking for a Bulls Eye Ball from that jolly old elf.
While presents would be nice, according to Sam Galati, a fourth grader, all he wants for Christmas is World Peace.
As they say, "out of the mouths of children." Perhaps we should all be wishing for World Peace this Christmas with all the trouble abroad and our troops still trying to maintain that peace throughout the world, but especially in Iraq and Afghanistan.