Not all TV is bad

As a parent, you are bombarded with news articles and "helpful" moms telling you not to let your child watch TV. It can lead to obseity, lack of attention in school, lower IQ, etc. While that could be (and probably is) true, not all TV is equal.

We are very careful about both the amount of TV and the type of programs we let Grayson watch. Not just because we believe everything we read but because, well, it's not really needed to have a fulfilled childhood. I believe that creativity isn't sparked by watching the TV. But I also know that there are, in my oh so humble opinion, times when it is justified in this house. Grayson knows he can watch a short show before nap and bedtime. Contrary to any media reports out there, this settles my child down. It's part of his routine and he knows sleep is next. He also watches sometimes when I'm sick or need to get something done and can't with him around my feet. You know what else? I also know that I watched TV growing up and I turned out just fine.

So, what does he watch? Well, a lot of PBS. Sid the Science Kid, Zula Patrol, Jakers, and Cyberchase are some of his favorites. He also loves Scooby Doo. Come on! What kid doesn't love Scooby Doo>!? Heck I still like it!

Here's how I know that it isn't all bad though. Today, coming home from a birthday party, my son decides to tell me all about the moon. Why we can only see one side. How the other side is in the dark and why. And more. And he had it all right!! Now, Jeff and I didn't tell him this stuff. This is straight from watching Zula Patrol! Not only did it entertain him, but he learned something!! How cool is that?! So, all TV is not bad. And it isn't all equal. But most of all - I'm doing something right. :)

Family Exercise

Over the last few months, Jeff and I have taken up jogging (well, more like a jog-walk combo for me). We haven't been as consistent as we would have liked but we are trying. Last Friday Grayson asked to go with us. (Clarification - we have been jogging individually, not as a couple. No calls to Social Services are needed! :) )

He did a great job! I was really impressed. And humbled. We went .8 mile. He was tired at the end but not so much that he didn't want to do it again. So, today, we went again. This time we ran just shy of a mile. He needs to walk a little more than Jeff and I but that's ok with me. I think it's great he wants to exercise. Along the way, he makes us work a little harder too!

Stinky Feet

My son has some seriously stinky feet. I know it's from all the running and playing he does. He gets VERY sweaty and, well, feet sweat. Now before you ask, yes I do bathe my child. I also wash his shoes and the insoles. Heck, I even put Spray-N-Wash all over the insoles. (I don't want to even think about when he's sixteen!!)

Yesterday he wanted us to smell his feet. He finds our looks and exclamations hysterical when we get a whiff. I asked him why he thought his feet stank. His response? "There must be some kind of natural environment that makes my feet stinky." I kid you not. It cracked me up so much I wrote it down right away. Seriously?! What 5 year old talks OR thinks like that? You know you'd laugh too! Heck, I'm smiling now. My little erudite son.

Turning 5!

I know, I know! I should have done this over a week ago! Hey, it's been a little crazy here and I just haven't had the time. Anyhoo, I said I would write about Grayson turning 5, so here it is!

Almost two weeks ago Grayson turned 5! It seems like just yesterday that he was walking and starting to talk. The time really has gone by fast! For birthdays in the past, we've been low-key, relative to other parties here. We had one at our pool when he turned 3 and last year, for his 4th birthday, we had a playdate at the park. But, this is 5. It's big to kids. They can now have a lot of toys that were off limits before. For many, they are starting kindergarten. Somehow, kids just instinctively get that 5 is a big year.

This time, we had his party at a local gymnastics facility. Grayson picked a pirate theme months ago and I was lucky enough to find most of the things at the dollar store. I made, in my humble opinion, the cutest cupcakes! I;m not good at decorating cakes and cupcakes. Baking in general I have covered! But the decorating part? Yeah, not so much.

Seven of his friends were able to make it. It was a great size because all the kids were able to do things many times. There was the rope swing, the trampoline, the foam pit, balance beam, tumbling, and more! For the most part, the pictures did not turn out well. Lighting was just too dark.

Most of the gifts were Legos. I don't even want to comment on the floor in the bonus room right now! However, Jeff and Grayson love it. The best part at the end, for me, was watching all the kids crowd around Grayson as he opened pictures. All the oohs and ahhs! So adorable!!

Where have we been?

I know I haven't written in a week or so. Grayson turned five on Aug. 25th (another blog on that) and then we traveled to Texas for the holiday weekend. Between those two events, I stayed crazy busy!

My in laws live in San Angelo, which is on the west side of TX. It takes us almost a day to travel. Because there are few flights into San Angelo, we typically fly into Austin and then drive the rest of the way. By the time it's done, all three of us are just pooped. Jeff's parents are in their 80s so it is very important that we make the time for Grayson to see them. This trip was a little harder for me than usual since my uncle passed away two days prior.

I don't come from a large family. And usually that's ok. But we've had two deaths now in the last year and we're getting smaller. I loved my uncle very much but there was no way I could make the memorial. My husband's family needed to take precedence. On top of which, the death wasn't unexpected. He had been sick for a few years now and his health had been failing. I know he's in a better place but it's still hard losing a loved one. I pray that my mom and aunt found strength and comfort this past weekend.

There really isn't anything to report about San Angelo. Seriously. Nothing. And we've never had much chance to see Austin either. This time, though, we did get a chance to see the bats emerge from Congress Avenue Bridge. Usually the bats leave the bridge at dusk. Not this time. Sometimes they leave later if the insects aren't plentiful enough (come to my house - we have LOTS!). This was one of those nights apparently. Jeff couldn't really see anything since it was quite dark. Grayson and I barely made out the bats leaving. Kind of anti climatic. But at least we've done it. I don't have any pictures because, well, it was too dark!! So, here's a link at what we should have seen. :)

http://www.batcon.org/home/index.asp?idPage=122