The Boob Tube

I have many reasons to believe Tivo was developed by parents.  What did society do before Tivo existed?  Go insane?  I just can't imagine being a parent without it.  Not only do we get to watch our tv shows without interruption, we can plop the kids down at any given moment when we need a little downtime.

Back when I was a kid, we only got cartoons on Saturday morning.  I bet my parents lived for those free moments, when my sister and I were glued to the Smurfs and Scooby Doo.  Kids' programming for a few hours once a week should have been considered parent abuse in 1979.  PBS did offer Sesame Street, 321 Contact, and Mr. Rogers everyday, but those re-runs would only go so far.

Before having kids, I bought into the whole "limit your kids' tv time to so many hours per week" crap.  I swore my kids would be learning from books, not from Barney.  HA!!

Confession time...my kids watch tv at least 2 hours a day*.  And, guess what?  I don't feel guilty or embarrassed to admit that.  In fact, it is those precious, calm moments that keep me sane.  Plop Haley in front of Max and Ruby with a sippy cup of milk, and mom instantly gets to check Facebook do laundry.

So, in the spirit of "educational programming", I wanted to give a rundown of all the kids' shows poor Bryon and I have become way more familiar with than we ever imagined. 

1.  Octonauts.  Okay, so this one isn't the most annoying thing on Disney Jr.  In fact, I kind of like the "Creature Report" at the end of every episode that gives facts on marine animals.  Although, I can never tell if they are singing, "Creature Alert" or "Creature Report."



The Gup-E.  Get it?



2.  Doc McStuffins.  Probably the best female character Disney has created EVER.  This little adorable black girl cures all the toys' ailments in the neighborhood.  Such a better role model than that needy Sleeping Beauty!



No prince needed here!



3.  Max and Ruby.  I hate this show.  Ruby is the most nagging animated creature I've ever seen.  Of course this is the only show Haley ever asks to watch.  She does it just to drive me crazy! 



Ruby doing what she does best...nag Max



4.  Poppy Cat.  I've never actually watched a full minute of this one.  I hope it is teaching good behavior.  For all I know, Poppy Cat is growing poppies for her own personal narcotic addiction.  The only thing I do know about this show is that Bryon has taught the girls to make silly clicking noises during the opening song.  It's amusing to listen to while chccking pinterest doing laundry. 



To the poppy fields?

 I realize these confessions will probably put me out of the running for Mother-of-the-Year, but that is a risk I'm willing to take.


*Okay, it is probably closer to 3, but who's counting??

I REALLY mean it!

Is there anything cuter than pre-schoolers on Valentines Day?  This year was no exception. 

First up was Haley's class party.  They did the typical games, books, sugar-filled snacks, and card exchange.  But, the highlight was the little presentation they did with their teacher, Ms. Liz.  How Ms. Liz can get a group of 9 two & three-year-olds to stand still and sing is beyond me!  She has more patience in her left pinky than I do in my whole body.  Check out the cuteness that is "Skid-a-ma-rink-a-dink-a-dink":

At the end, the kids all sing, "I love you.  I REALLY mean it!"  Haley's been adding the line to everything since her presentation.  "Mom, I need milk now!  I REALLY mean it!"  "Mom, my arm hurts.  I REALLY mean it!"  




Haley and 'Lone (Malone, her bestfriend)



And, another song showing just how patient Ms. Liz is:



After coming down from my sugar high from the first party, it was time for Shelby's class.  Being a little older (4&5), they all knew what sugary goodness was in store for the day.  It was heart-warming to see them so excited to pass out their special Valentines cards to all their friends.   In a few short years, it will be more about the boyfriend/girlfriend experience, so I am cherishing these years while Shelby LOVES everyone just for who they are. 



Shelby checking out her loot

 Shelby's teacher, Ms. Monica, surprised the kids by arranging their monster card boxes around the room doing various activities.  Sam's box was sitting in Ms. Monica's chair.  Shelby's box was hanging out in the stroller.  Dany's box was rocking Molly's box in the cradle.  My favorite was Varalika's box ironing.  I wonder if she would come do some ironing at my house!


Varalika is ironing!

Not to be left out on the love, Bryon and I went on the best Valentine's Day date is YEARS.  (Not to say we've been on some bad dates, but we just haven't done anything at all in a long time.)  We went to some friends' house and took the kids.  They were pretty close to perfect, playing upstairs all night, all the while letting the adults sip a little wine and have real adult conversations.  What more could a middle-aged mama ask for?!?

Time for Shull

Just look at that grin!  Is Haley in her "happy place" or what?!?  Her newest passion is playing "shull" (school) in her room.  She loves to raid my disposable plates, cups, and utensils, then set up snack time for all her stuffed animals.  In true Haley style, the best part is passing out the "snacks".  A dollop of applesauce, a handful of chocolate chips, some pieces of pecans, and a spoonful of powdered ranch dressing are just a few of the delicious (?) goodies she has served her lucky students.  

The funniest shull story so far was the day I peeked in and saw her with a roll of paper towels, cleaning up some applesauce off the floor.  I asked her what she was doing, and she said her student "Fanana" threw up.  Sure...blame the teddy bear for the mess!!