I love vacations. Anyone who has spent any time with me when a vacation is coming or during one can see how my excitement just bubbles over. But there is one thing about them that irks me...TV takes a vacation too.
All of the shows take a break at the same time I take a break. Normally this would be an ideal time to catch up with everything on the DVR, but one sort of gets into a routine of catching up along the way lest the DVR run out of space. So I'm left with a severe lack of shows to watch during vacation. The alternate really isn't appealing...football? Reality TV? Old movies? Ick.
My TV post is a complaint that TV shows shouldn't be on my timetable.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Miscellaneous: Free Range Kids
I came across this article at work, and while I can't share the article here I can share some links that refer to it. So what was it about? It was about how much we protect our children...overprotect. Kids are no longer allowed to do things we used to do as kids because of all the dangers in society today. While I agree that we need to become a little more vigilant, I don't think we are doing our kids any favors if we hover too much.
My kids attend a school that is not only nut free, but fish free. I'm not supposed to send my kids to school with tuna on the off chance that it should make its way into an allergy prone mouth. Don't get me wrong - I completely understand the dangers of allergies. But I've noticed that there is a higher percentage of kids allergic in schools in affluent areas - areas in which parents often have more time and money to protect their kids from every known danger. I think keeping our kids from playing in the dirt because of germ phobia has made our kids unable to handle allergens.
Well anyway, stuff to think about. Here's your links:
America's Worst Mom, Lenore Skenazy
Free Range Kids Blog, Skenazy
Dr. Resa
Jennifer and Dawn of 5 Minutes for Books
My kids attend a school that is not only nut free, but fish free. I'm not supposed to send my kids to school with tuna on the off chance that it should make its way into an allergy prone mouth. Don't get me wrong - I completely understand the dangers of allergies. But I've noticed that there is a higher percentage of kids allergic in schools in affluent areas - areas in which parents often have more time and money to protect their kids from every known danger. I think keeping our kids from playing in the dirt because of germ phobia has made our kids unable to handle allergens.
Well anyway, stuff to think about. Here's your links:
America's Worst Mom, Lenore Skenazy
Free Range Kids Blog, Skenazy
Dr. Resa
Jennifer and Dawn of 5 Minutes for Books
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Men: Ben Cohen
Name: Ben Cohen (Ben Christopher Cohen)Best Known For: Rugby Player
Year of Birth: 1978
Status: Married
Height: 6'2"
Fun Fact: Public knowledge that he isn't circumcised
Okay, this rugby cutie is married and before I looked up his name I knew nothing about him. Funny that I should be posting two rugby men in a row, huh? Okay, so the comment about his privates...he was explaining that although his last name indicates it, he is not Jewish and therefore is "intact."
Funny the stuff we see online.
BTW, the picture comes from a calendar 07-08 True Blue
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Chocolate: Dagoba Mint
waxy, hint of mint, dark, melty only after several chews
Those are the notes I took while I was eating the dark chocolate Dagoba Mint. B and I happened upon a largely organic little shop while on our mini-vay-cay (LOL). When I saw the large array of Dagoba, I decided one MUST be purchased. Having already tried the milk, I went for the dark. You see my notes.
I probably wouldn't buy that bar again, which is somewhat disappointing. I'm starting to think I may need to purchase all the bars I've reviewed and revisit them (which would be AWESOME!). I could have had a weird food day or been in a mood and not really given an objective opinion (oxymoron). Anyway, I could definitely taste the flowery/fruity part donated by the rosemary and many like the bar. I just wasn't sold on it.
Those are the notes I took while I was eating the dark chocolate Dagoba Mint. B and I happened upon a largely organic little shop while on our mini-vay-cay (LOL). When I saw the large array of Dagoba, I decided one MUST be purchased. Having already tried the milk, I went for the dark. You see my notes.
I probably wouldn't buy that bar again, which is somewhat disappointing. I'm starting to think I may need to purchase all the bars I've reviewed and revisit them (which would be AWESOME!). I could have had a weird food day or been in a mood and not really given an objective opinion (oxymoron). Anyway, I could definitely taste the flowery/fruity part donated by the rosemary and many like the bar. I just wasn't sold on it.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Books: How Babies Are Made
The topic of the birds and the bees has come up in conversation with several people I know. Questions and answers...how did you find out? How is it being taught in school? When did you teach your kids?
The B and I have always told our kids the truth. That doesn't mean we don't use funny words to describe private parts and such, but we also use the real words. And, much to my chagrin, the kids have picked up quite a bit from watching the TV shows we do or listening to the music we like. We have always been clear about explaining what they hear or see.
But since the topic had been coming up lately (and I've been neglecting my posting duties) I decided to share with you the book that I use with my kids. How Babies Are Made. It was a book I picked up while on the hunt for cheap pregnancy books at the Good Will stores. I thought it was cute and appropriate then. I've found it extremely helpful now. You can check out the reviews at Amazon from the link. They are nearly all positive.
The copy I have was printed in 1968, but many of the reviewers have indicated no change in the 1980's version. It starts with how flowers are made and progresses through animals and then to humans. The pictures are not realistically graphic as they are created with cut paper, but they are very accurate and non threatening. I read it to A when she was nearing the end of third grade. She was already experiencing body changes and I wanted her to know why.
M is a little different in that she sees how her sister is developing. She just saw me take the book off the shelf.
Her: When did Abby read that book?
Me: In third grade. (pause) Did you want to read it?
Her: Maybe, yeah. But can I read it by myself?
I think she's ready.
The B and I have always told our kids the truth. That doesn't mean we don't use funny words to describe private parts and such, but we also use the real words. And, much to my chagrin, the kids have picked up quite a bit from watching the TV shows we do or listening to the music we like. We have always been clear about explaining what they hear or see.
But since the topic had been coming up lately (and I've been neglecting my posting duties) I decided to share with you the book that I use with my kids. How Babies Are Made. It was a book I picked up while on the hunt for cheap pregnancy books at the Good Will stores. I thought it was cute and appropriate then. I've found it extremely helpful now. You can check out the reviews at Amazon from the link. They are nearly all positive.
The copy I have was printed in 1968, but many of the reviewers have indicated no change in the 1980's version. It starts with how flowers are made and progresses through animals and then to humans. The pictures are not realistically graphic as they are created with cut paper, but they are very accurate and non threatening. I read it to A when she was nearing the end of third grade. She was already experiencing body changes and I wanted her to know why.
M is a little different in that she sees how her sister is developing. She just saw me take the book off the shelf.
Her: When did Abby read that book?
Me: In third grade. (pause) Did you want to read it?
Her: Maybe, yeah. But can I read it by myself?
I think she's ready.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Overwhelmed!
For anyone who reads my blog (all 2 of you), I'm just too overwhelmed to put in my new entries. This project at work has taken my weekends away too! So I will be back, probably this coming weekend (no guarantees!)
In my absence try to think of what I'll post next ;)
In my absence try to think of what I'll post next ;)
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Frightful
"Oh, the weather outside is frightful..."
And this month is far from delightful.
Yeah, so not the holiday spirit. But I'm trying not to feel like scrooge so hard it's causing more stress. The kiddies are full of the sickies. If it's not one it's the other, like their having a race to see who can vomit first and best. Okay, a little exaggeration, but the tummy hurts, the head hurts, there's a fever here, and a lot of snot there...
I bought Christmas cards early, but they aren't addressing and signing themselves. Imagine that! I think another year is going to go by without a tree...or decorations. 'Cuz the house won't clean itself either, and there isn't anywhere to put the tree.
Last but surely not least, this month always starts with the dreaded work project. Every year it's the worst time of the year. The stress is palpable.
Here's to hoping that a few days before Christmas, there's honest to goodness joy around here.
And this month is far from delightful.
Yeah, so not the holiday spirit. But I'm trying not to feel like scrooge so hard it's causing more stress. The kiddies are full of the sickies. If it's not one it's the other, like their having a race to see who can vomit first and best. Okay, a little exaggeration, but the tummy hurts, the head hurts, there's a fever here, and a lot of snot there...
I bought Christmas cards early, but they aren't addressing and signing themselves. Imagine that! I think another year is going to go by without a tree...or decorations. 'Cuz the house won't clean itself either, and there isn't anywhere to put the tree.
Last but surely not least, this month always starts with the dreaded work project. Every year it's the worst time of the year. The stress is palpable.
Here's to hoping that a few days before Christmas, there's honest to goodness joy around here.
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