I’ve always had positive feelings towards Leap Frog products.  We are just getting to the age where even more products are age-appropriate for my kids.

Now, however, I find myself having to write to the company regarding their commercial.  I have included it here.  What I find most offensive is when the kid asked to choose which book he prefers he says, “That book doesn’t even talk.”  Hello?  Reality check here, almost 100% of books he will encounter in his life “won’t talk.”  Sure, there are books on tape, etc., but this kid needs to realize that in order to get through school, he’s going to have to learn the silent way.  Better yet, why not practice reading with his parents… then the book actually would talk.

Yes, they should provide new technology to keep kids interested, to inspire learning, but don’t diss on the reality of the printed word.

I meant to write this last week after watching an episode of Oprah.  It was the show that had on the mother that left her young child in her car (and the child died from the heat).  Oprah kept saying, “who writes these rules?” referring to how moms feel compelled to do it all, to be perfect.  She implied that because we are focused on so many things at one time, we can easily make a mistake like leaving our kids in the car.

I can see where she is coming from as I also feel pressured to give everything I can to my kids and family.  I am not saying that it’s Oprah’s fault, but when she asks where does this come from, some of it is from HER SHOW!  How many women watch her show and try to mimic whatever it is Oprah tells us to do?  Here are some examples from the things she presents on her show: be charitable (make time to give to a charitable organization or give money), workout (you have to take care of yourself in order to take care of others), be romantic with your spouse (he has needs too, you were a wife before you were a mom, etc.), clean your house (disorganization is a sign that your life is out of control), be a good consumer (use coupons, find deals), read books (gotta keep up on the printed word), be spiritual (take the time to center yourself and your world), look pretty (don’t be part of the crowd that needs one of her makeovers), care about the world around you (read the papers, follow the news), just to name a few.

These are all GREAT things to do, but when she wonders who is telling us that we have to do it all, I say “YOU, OPRAH!”

Here you go…

 
When the kids aren’t watching:

I’m still trying to process this one… I was reading today’s paper with the kids sitting next to me. My 3 year old son looks at the paper, points to a picture and says, “She looks like you, Mommy!”

The good news: it was a picture of Heather Locklear!

The bad news: it was her mug shot

I’m sorry for the dramatic title to this blog and I’m sorry for another scary picture.  I have to admit that I am a Halloween-junkie and am perhaps saturated with ideas often portrayed in scary movies hence my blog topics…

Tonight, I was chasing after my 18 month old.  I was following her down the hallway to get her to her room for bedtime.  I was walking at a brisk pace and she was running her little heart out in her <2 year old “I don’t bend my knees when I run” way.  Here is where my life reminds me of a slasher flick… Even though she is running, I’m able to get within grasping reach of her just by walking aggressively.   She even does the look over her shoulder and then scream routine!

I don’t think I’m as scary as say, Michael Myers, but you’d never know it by her reaction!  Boo!

Best diet ever… Ok, I didn’t really lose weight off my person, but I did lose 30 pounds of responsibilities when I dropped my son off at his pre-school class today.  I had 2 hours of freedom!  I still had my 18 month old with me as we did some girly shopping, but 1 kid at the store vs. 2 is like only taking 1 baby tiger instead of 2 of them!

I don’t have my own iPod.  I don’t have any time where I’m alone long enough to listen to a song.  My husband was sweet tonight, though, and while he took the kids outside for 20 minutes, I borrowed his iPod and danced while I cleaned up the kitchen.

It was really fun and here’s why:

1) Learning about my husband.  It’s his ipod, so it’s his music.  There’s a lot more rap than I would have thought, but for my benefit, he still has the sappy love songs and cheesy dance music.  What a guy.

2) Listening to the stuff that you don’t hear on the radio.  He’s got a lot of old stuff from my “younger years.”  I think I danced to some Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam!

3) It reminds you to keep those earbuds in tight!  I’m singing along, feeling good. Then, one of the earbuds falls out and I actually hear myself without the music and YIKES!  My singing + no audible music = bad bad bad.  Bad enough to be on the highlights of American Idol auditions!

While I was singing and dancing (and cleaning), it reminded me of a scene from one of my favorite movies, “Funny Farm.”   In the movie, there’s a scene where Chevy’s wife is cleaning with her headphones on and totally oblivious to what else was going on.  That’s where I was.  I was in my own world.  No kids.  No computers, just me and my Cult Jam.  Livin’ the Dream!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxkbTG6PeCI

I found a nifty book and I might just have to carry it with me when I’m grocery shopping or dining out.  “Eat This, Not That for Kids”

The book tells you which foods you should choose for your children and which foods to avoid.  It uses pictures of the actual items and gives all of the nutritional information for the everyday foods we feed our kids.

Check it out!

We heard a bird outside making a whole bunch of noise while we were having lunch today.  We got the binoculars out and went outside for birdwatching.  I didn’t recognize the bird, so we came in and got on the computer and found this site:

http://www.whatbird.com/

You enter the info about the birds you see and it helps narrow down the possibilities.

I’m pretty sure we had 2 Belted Kingfishers in the tree.  Here’s the picture.

Even when my husband is home, I’m afraid to go to our basement after 9:00 by myself!  Seeing as our laundry room is down there, my laundry duties end promptly at 9:00 p.m.

Tonight, I sent my honey down to retrieve the clean laundry (it was after 9:00 after all).  While he was downstairs, I jumped in the shower and turned on the radio.  What song do I hear?  “I Always Feel Like Somebody’s Watching Me.”  Geez.  Because I need more to be paranoid about?  Thanks.