Thursday, March 17, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Mommy rejects "Abby's Flying Fairy School"
I never considered myself a purist, really, about anything. I like to try new things -- I think that my friends would say that I am "adventurous" (not in the outdoorsy way, of course. Don't be ridiculous.). But when it comes to Sesame Street, I demand the original.
About a month ago, we started recording Sesame Street so that we had some saved up in our DVR for those "can't Mommy just have some coffee" moments. We also have a fantasy that watching TV will turn Jude into a cuddler extraordinaire. So far, it hasn't worked for either of these reasons. We still can't drink hot coffee, and he still won't cuddle with us. What is has succeeded in doing, however, is helping me realize that the only Sesame Street worth watching is the Sesame Street of my youth. These new-fangled Sesame Streets that kids are watching these days just aren't worth it! Sure, they have Gordon and Maria and Luis. Sure, some of the classic characters are there. But there are issues.
Lindsay's Gripes About Today's Sesame Street
1. The theme song is all wrong. Okay, it's the same theme song, but the last 4 notes of the chorus are wrong. Children of the 80s, sing it in your head and then listen to the current theme song. Something's a little off, right!?
2. There is way too much Elmo. This isn't Elmo's street! Why does he get his own world, for crying out loud? And I can't stand Mr. Noodle. As if the fish isn't enough, then we have to watch Mr. Noodle and his brother Mr. Noodle.
3. Claymation does not belong in Sesame Street. They are Muppets, for crying out loud. Take your claymation Ernie and Bert and shove 'em. I want the puppets where sometimes you can see the wires that control their arms but you don't care.
4. Along the same lines, fancy animation also doesn't belong on the Street. Abby, your flying fairy school song may be catchy, and I can support the messages that you are putting out there, but again, are you too good for puppets? Go back to your roots, Sesame Street!
5. There is not enough Grover. The only time we get to see Grover, he is "Super" Grover. Well, Children's Television Workshop, some of us think that Grover is Super enough on his own.
So to avoid these gripes (and so that Liz can escape my moaning about the good old days every Saturday morning when she is trying to drink some hot coffee and cuddle with Jude), we bought the 2 DVD Set "Sesame Street: 40 years of Sunny Days." DVR days be done...we will only be watching the throw-back Sesame Streets from now on!
I know, Jude will be that kid who asks the other kids in kindergarten if they saw the episode where Mr. Hooper goes surfing and they won't even know who Mr. Hooper is. But he will be well-versed in such classics as:
- The Crayon Factory (aka How Crayons are Made )
- Ernie and Bert's "Here Fishy Fishy Fishy"
- Cookie Monster's Boogie Hit "Me Lost Me Cookie at the Disco"
- I Can Remember
- Pinball Counting
Now I've, had the time of my life...
And let me assure you that he's never felt that way before. This I swear.
Jude had the time of his life at Miller and Sullivan's first birthday party!
There were six babies at the gala. Each came in wearing the standard baby party wear. However, as soon as they had their coats off, the babies were changed into their assigned onesies...each with the number 1 on them!
Kelly, Miller and Sully's mom, had let us know ahead of time that there was going to be a cake smash and a photographer there. She took first birthday to a whole new level. She had cleared out their dining room of all furniture (and, frankly, all items not frosting-friendly). Each of the babies was set up at his or her station in the room. The stage was set for chaos.
The birthday boys had already started working on their cakes, each one already wearing their coordinating onesie...and some of the coordinated frosting from their cake. Then, each of the babies was presented with a cupcake (with either an M or an S on it, of course). We let them loose.
Observing the babies eating cupcakes helped me to understand the concept of nature versus nurture at a whole new level. For a moment, move your eyes across the picture below from right to left.
First, you see Isabelle. She wasn't really interested in eating any cupcakes -- maybe the boys were just a little too overwhelming for her. Then you see Liam. Liam ate his cupcake, and, using the frosting on the floor as lubricant, turned 180 degrees and started in on Miller's cake. Liam went fast...and strong. Then we have Jayden. Jayden peacefully sat in the corner and neatly ate all of his cupcake. I don't think that there was any frosting in his hair when he was done. Amazing. Then we have Sully. The cake just wasn't enough for Sully, so he started in on the plate. Maybe it is a "palette-cleanser" before the next course of cake. On Sully's right, is Miller. Miller is doing some jaw stretches before going back in for more. You may notice that none of them are actively eating cake.
And then, there's Jude. Not only is the baby on the left disguising a chipmunk-style mouthful of cake, he also has the sneakiest secret eating look ever! And you can also see that he still has a chunk of cake in his right hand. This is food "insurance" -- basically, if someone is to say that he is "all done," he knows that he still has this piece of cake in his hand. As I said, it is extremely obvious that the devious stuffed-cheek one belongs with me!
After the picture above, most of the babies wandered off to go downstairs and play in Miller and Sully's dream playroom. They've got it all down there...it's basically like baby heaven.
And then, there's Jude. He goes in for round 2. Jude notices that he is the only baby left on the floor, and sees and opportunity to ham it up for the photographer. Jude never passes up a photo shoot.
Jude loves celebrating birthdays with all of his friends, but Miller and Sully's Cake Smash of 2011 will hold a special place in his heart...and under his fingernails, considering we are just now getting the blue frosting out.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
The Daily Jude 3/12/11
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Daily Jude 3/10/11
He had ten thousand men
He marched them up the hill and then he marched them down again
And when you're up, you're up
And when you're down, you're down
And when you're only halfway up you're neither up nor down!
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