Drake and Josh Rule

It's amazing when the television is on ears become deaf, little bodies become still, and (a) the mind can focus in on one thing. The television. Forget trying to get any of my kids to any task if it's on. Seriously. I do try and limit electronics in our household, but now that the kids are in school Weston still sneaks his way around it. Funny things have occurred since the kids have gone back and it's just me and my buddy again (except on preschool days). One conversation that I recall took place just a few days back. It went something like this:

Deeply focused on the television

me: "Weeeessston"

W: silence

me: "Weeesssttoon"

W: silence

me: (getting louder) "Weston! Where are you?"

W: "In here watching my show"

me: "Well, we have to leave, so turn it off and get your shoes on."

W: "Pleeeeaaaase, just one more minute.."

me: "No, come on!" and proceed to turn off the t.v. (fairly irritated at this point)

W: "Buuutttt, this is a new episode!"

me: "What show are you talking about?" (not really paying too much attention to the show)

W: Drake and Josh

me: (thinking to myself) What 4 year old watches Drake and Josh? "Don't you want to watch something else?"

W: "No this is a good show!" "I love it"

I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and sit and watch some of it with him. He got a tad more comfortable (see below) Much to my surprise it was actually really clean and quite funny. I too was sucked in. I guess long are the days of sesame street......we've moved on to sitcoms! Perhaps this is what happens when you are the baby of teenagers and older siblings. Who knew?

The Consequence

Vacancy spot in front of the television, very rare!

Due to behavior issues (I'll spare any details) with my boys this past week we were at our wits end, literally. Really, it has to stop! However, Doug decided not only to take away ALL electronics, but the television as well. I'll admit the t.v. portion sorta made me cringe. After all, this was my free babysitter in desperate times, or if I just needed some extra silence in the house. The first day (Monday) Jared immediately proclaimed how incredibly bored he was seconds after walking in the door from school. My thoughts, too bad and you did this to yourself! (mean thoughts I know) Bad behavior has painful consequences (even if it is painful to the parents as well). What happened to loving to play outside as a kid? We have absolutely awesome weather in the winter here, live it up! Again, no sympathy for boredom.

Courtney, to you recognize this 20 year old blanket?

Day 2 was a little better and the kids played outside for about 2 hours. The bonus, it was during the bewitching hours (you know preparing dinner time). The beauty was I was able to get some last minute things done in peace. By Day 3 they weren't even asking for the television. It was like the forgotten old toy. Of course, by this time behavior was improving which meant privileges were able to come back. Quite honestly I am not sure I am ready for the boob tube to come back. Just in the past three days we have actually talked more as a family, studied our scriptures and I got a wild hair and began reading the Christmas Box to the kids. We have also been having fun listening to various types of music inclining us all to dance a time or two. Good times.

Getting ready to walk with the ipod

On a random note, I discovered something I should have done weeks ago. When our weather turned cold at the end of last week my boys weren't exactly thrilled about getting into the stroller in 35 degree weather. I make sure they are bundled from head to toe, but I still get the complaints and whines about different aches and pains. I take my ipod on occasion to allow the time to pass more quickly since I haven't had a walking partner in a while. (*sigh*) It dawned on me that I made my boys their own special mix when I redid my ipod a few weeks ago. Why not let them listen to it? Brilliant! Over the past few days, I have not heard one peep out of them--I guess they are much more interested in listening to this. Just click play. Isn't this song great?



good deed: fixed our house insurance