The 30 Day TV Detox- Days 18-23

Happy Halloween

If your wondering about the TV Detox, well we are still doing it, as best as we can.. I've slacked a bit (shame on me).  But this is HARD!!!  It's time to get back on track.. I'll be posting some random things we've been doing around the house tomorrow.  But today, let's celebrate!!!  Have a Safe and Happy Halloween.  

What will your little ones dress as today?  I'm still not sure.. I think Mr. S. will be either a fireman or a construction worker.  Miss V., I probably won't be able to get her out of these jammies.  Maybe I'll throw on a cowgirl hat?  

The 30 Day TV Detox- Days 13-17

Indian Summer and Pumpkins

     This week has been crazy busy with activities, school, and catching up on housework.  In the midst of all this, we took some time out to enjoy this Indian Summer.  Yesterday I took the kids and the dog for a walk around the neighborhood.  Most of the leaves have fallen, and they look like thick carpet on most of my neighbors' lawns.  

     In the afternoon, Dustin and I took the kids to The Children's Farm ,in Palos Park, to pick our own pumpkins.  The kids had a blast with daddy getting thrown in the air, and of course picking two pumpkins.  

The 30 Day TV Detox- Day 12

Play and Enrichment

The other day, I rearranged the kid's play corner in our living room.  Since Simon attends Montessori, I wanted to create a space where he can play and where he can reinforce the skills he learns in school.  He loves puzzles, so I dug out a tangram book.  He spent a good 45 minutes trying to switch around the shapes until they fit.  I found another fun Montessori inspired activity on Pinterest (via the blog The Wonder Years,) where I gave Simon a piece of styrofoam, golf tees, and a hammer.  Before I found this activity, he had already discovered how to screw holes in styrofoam with real screws. The result was styrofoam all over the house.  This time, I controlled his environment!  Nonetheless, his favorite things to work with are toys and building, so this was the perfect activity for him.  

If any of you have any cool Montessori activities to share, please send them my way!

The 30 Day TV Detox- Day 11

An Evolution of Technology

     

     Simon found some ancient artifacts in my parents' basement yesterday.  The first being,  my old Etch A Sketch.  Though mine is not from the sixties, (I would say I bought it in college so mid nineties,) we get the idea that simple toys are often the greatest.  

     The best basement find was our old Texas Instrument Speak and Spell.  My brothers and I would fight over this toy on long road trips.  I still remember the robotic voice telling me the word is "incorrect."  Thank God, this came with ear plugs.  Believe it or not, this Speak and Spell still works.  

Of course today, every child has the Leap Frog Laptop.  I went so far as to sign up online so Simon can receive e-mails from me.  

     The ultimate little gadget for my children would be my iPhone.  Like most parents, my children manipulated me into downloading PBS Apps, and Disney Apps.  Though, their favorite App, is what we call "The Greek Game" ( First Greek Words).  The kids match Greek letters to the corresponding animal.  

The 30 Day TV Detox- Days 9 & 10

Wow, ten days into this experiment, and with all honesty, I do not miss the noise.  In fact, I had to stop and think about where the Disney Channel is on my satellite.  I think we are making progress.  Yesterday, the kids helped me test the lighting in my new laundry room/ photo studio.

The 30 Day TV Detox- Days 5-8

I had a busy weekend, so I decided to consolidate three days into one post.  Even though we accomplished some crafts and decorating, I feel as if the whole TV detox went South this weekend.  The rainy fall weather just made it ideal for us to lounge in front of the TV.  My husband watched all of his important football games, I caught up on my Bravo Housewives, while the kids vegged-out to "Go Diego Go."  

Here are some highlights of some TV-less moments:

  Pack Wraps

We practiced gluing dots.  Simon created these tiny collages named "pack-wraps."  

In typical two year old fashion, Vivi ate the glue.

 "Leaf Doodling"

We took a moment to enjoy the changing leaves.  The Artful Parent gave me inspiration for this easy leaf project.  We collected leaves, pressed and dried them, and them painted them with Mod Podge.  I strung them with clear filament and hung them above my fireplace. 

Halloween Decorations

I went a little crazy at the craft store, because Martha Stewart Halloween decorations were 40% off.  

Candy Land

Simon's recent favorite game is Candy Land.  He is such a great player, that he has won every game.  Imagine that!

The 30 Day TV Detox- Day 4

Yesterday, Simon and I enjoyed his 1st preschool field trip to a local Pumpkin Farm and Petting Zoo.  The highlight of the day was getting to ride the yellow school bus for the first time.

In the meantime, the TV detox is, for the most part, going well.  Last night, we let the kids watched a bit more than an hour of TV.   We were so exhausted, and needed some "veg" out time.  I'm guessing there will be days of regression.  

30 Day TV Detox- Day 3

     The day began with relative calm.  I awoke before the kids, so I was able to tune in to my morning news shows.  There's nothing like a bit of WGN news in the morning.  Once the kids invaded my room, we quickly came downstairs for breakfast and the usual morning routine.
     Before this experiment, I would turn on PBS or Disney Channel, while I would make my coffee.  I would hide in the other TV room for 10 minutes so I could wake up.  Today, I let them eat a quick bite of toast and yogurt, then I made my coffee.  Just before I took my first sip, I heard a big THUMP! Before I looked up and heard a scream, my heart just jumped.  I ran over to Vivi where she fell off the bar stool and landed on the back of her head.  After screaming for five minutes, I checked her eyes, made sure she could walk and talk.  OK, no ER for the time being.  At these moments, I am thankful this two year old still likes to nurse.  She was able to quickly calm down and resume playing with her brother.
     On Wednesday mornings, we attend Story Time at our local library.  I was trying to hurry everyone along, when Miss V. decided that she did not want me to take off her stinky Minnie pjs.  This meltdown lasted until we arrived at the library.  Thankfully, she calmed down once she saw all the other children.  At this point, I was still annoyed by the meltdowns, I had no idea what story Miss B. read to the kids.  Something about a pumpkin, because we made a pumpkin craft.
     After Story Time, Simon (paid for) checked out 10 books about trains, cranes, and planes, and Vivi picked the most annoying singing Veggie Tale book.  We did some grocery shopping, came home, ate lunch, took Simon to school, came home, and Vivi napped.  I spent the rest of the afternoon editing, and dreaming about the new Babiekins Magazine.
     The day pretty much ended with as much drama as it began.  We fought evening traffic to Oakbrook so I can buy one of two copies of Babiekins at Barnes and Nobles.  Then we ate a crappy dinner at the Noodle place.  Of course neither of my children ate.  Then we fought more detours and traffic on the way home, only to have Vivi vomit all over her car seat right.
     The evening ended with an episode of Dora, Simon falling asleep at 8pm, and Vivi staying up with us to watch Food Impossible until 9pm.  In the meantime she ate two bananas, and a bowl of goldfish.  I think the poor thing was car sick.

Morning Fashion Meltdown

Pumpkin Craft

The lovely Babiekins Magazine.
I need to hide somewhere so I can read it.

The 30 Day TV Detox- Day 2

Today went better than I expected, despite the fact that I woke up with a NyQuil hangover.  I never thought we (or rather I) would make it without Disney Jr.  When I woke up, I did not turn on the usual GMA or Today Show.  Instead, I resorted to my trusty alarm/radio and tuned in to the local NPR station.  There is nothing like listening to Morning Edition to make you feel like you are part of civilization.
On the other hand, the kids did not ask me to turn on the TV.  We came downstairs, listened to more NPR and had breakfast.  Later in the morning, I took the kids for a short visit to Nana's house where they ran around like wild children.  Simon invented various "yogot" poses, while Vivi imitated him.  The rest of the afternoon went by in a flash.  Lunch with Daddy, took Simon to school, Vivi napped, and I started dinner. Vivi did have a 45 minute Caillou break so I could cook dinner, but Simon was too busy to notice.

5 Things We Accomplished Today:

1.  The kids learned how to use the spray bottle to clean my cabinets.  (Yay me!)

2.  Simon learned how to play Go Fish with me and Nana.

3.  They both used the "funny" scissors to cut crazy lines.

4.  Vivi and Big Bird debated the fate of this country.

5.  Simon and Daddy enjoyed a nice leisurely swing outside.  

The 30 Day TV Detox- Day 1

For the next 30 days, I'm unplugging the television.  Well, metaphorically speaking that is... I am going to allow them 1 hour of television per day.  It seems like a lot, but let's face it, we all get into the tube groove.  You know, where you leave the TV on all day.  My daughter is so addicted to Disney Junior, she sings the Disney Junior commercial.  This momma is mad (at myself)!
I have decided to regain control of my household, to put up with the fighting, whining, and pining for my attention.  My two and three year old really need to strengthen their problem solving skills, and most importantly they need structured and unstructured play.

Five things we accomplished this morning:
1. Finger painting (yes it was a mess, but they had fun)
2. Simon made a monkey jungle out of the kitchen chairs and stools.
3. Simon and Vivi learned how to play hide and seek.
4. They played with their instruments under the kitchen table.
5. The sit and spin was a big hit.

I hope we (my husband and I) can make it for 30 days!  Have you unplugged your TV? How did you keep your sanity?