Won’t you be my neighbour?
Was home from work today, and actually watched an entire episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighbourhood. Quite enjoyable!
I had forgotten the hypnotizing quality of his voice! And the way you knew he was going to exchange the blazer for the cardigan, the shoes for the sneaks, and still had to watch to see him do it.
The best part is still when he plays the filmstrip thing about how something is made, on his oil-painting-turned-TV-screen “Picture, Picture.” I have never forgotten the clip about how crayons are made, with all the melting wax. It was fascinating. Today’s clip was about how zippers are made — not as interesting, but still decent. Except I suspect zipper-factories have been greatly modernized in the last 20-odd years.
P.S. As a child, I never noticed that he basically opens a drawer and lays the film-canister thing inside it. He is clearly not actually loading anything up — which is fine for kids, I guess, but as a techy-adult, I was a bit disappointed. The magic of “Picture, Picture” was lost.
The thing about Suri Cruise …
… is that she is picture-perfect, all the time. Here are the three most-important things I have learned from this trend-setting toddler …
- Bangs are adorable. I know Suri has weekly hair appointments, and regular moms can’t do that, but still. God, I would learn to cut bangs, if my daughter’s hair could look that tidy.
- Pants schmants! I love that she wears dresses all the time — except that one time she wore jeans, like a month ago. I mean, I love dresses. So why shouldn’t my kid love dresses? They are too freaking adorable on kids.
- No sneaks, here. Suri always wears sweet little Mary-Janes, or sparkly ballet flats. Probably not super-practical for playground-ing (like she does that), but still precious! And did I mention that I have a Mary-Jane obsession? And that I buy one pair every season? Yeah, it’s shameful.
Can you imagine how she is going to take over the fashion world in 14 or 15 years? Maaaaaaajah!
No popped buttons here!
I WANT: Ingrid & Isabel’s BellaBand
This seems like an awesome invention. When you’re trying to squeeze into regular pants/jeans/skirts, you can wear them unbuttoned over your bump, and this cute stretchy-band keeps them in place.
Or if you’re finding maternity clothes too loose, it helps them fit snugly to your waist.
Genuis. I want!
Actually, I kinda want it now. It could come in handy on days when my skinny jeans feel just tooooooooo skinny.
Kiddie TV 101
I heart TV, I really do.
My taste runs mainly to trashy chick reality shows — America’s Next Top Model, The Simple Life, even the Denise Richards one — and retro chick shows — The Facts of Life, Kate & Allie.
But I also appreciate the finer points of childrens’ television. So, because I also heart making lists, here are the top 5 shows I’m kinda-sorta looking forward to watching as a mom …
- The Berenstain Bears: I was a hugggggge fan of the books — and still have them stashed in my closet, for my future kidlets — and the show is just plain good. They deal with real issues like the “gimmes,” and snarfing too much candy, and failing tests. Hard-core. My fave was The Berenstain Bears & Too Much Junk Food. I am so going to be like Mama someday, going on a rampage and throwing the Choco-Balls in the freezer.
- The Big Comfy Couch: I loved the Clock-run or whatever Lunette called that crazy stretch. I was always jealous of my little sister, because she could do it. Totally flexy. I find Lunette quite charming, and she’s probably my own age, which is cool. And the 10-Second Tidy probably — hopefully — teaches kids the importance of cleaning up …? Maybe?
- Blue’s Clues: A talking salt-and-pepper shaker couple with a kid named Paprika??? Genuis! Not to mention educating kids about cooking, spices, etc. The last time I caught it, Cute Steve had been replaced by some kind of cousin or brother. It’s probably still good, though. I enjoy the squeaky “Buurrrr-wow?” noises from Blue. It’s kind of how I imagine my own doggie sounds.
- Sesame Street: Have not watched in aggggggggges, but liked it very much as a kid, so I probably still do. Do they still have Maria and Luis and the Fix-It Shop? How much has changed, I wonder? I know Elmo’s like a huge break-out star. He was never that big a deal back in my days — just another bit player on the big ol’ Street.
- Barney & Friends: I haven’t watched it in years, but I’m guessing it hasn’t changed. I always liked the little Cathy one with the bear. And cute little Minn! I don’t know, something about this show just makes sense. Cute musical numbers, decent kid acting. I like it! Baby Bop and BJ annoy the crap out of me, but who knows? Maybe they’ve been written out.
Better warm up the DVR!
Most hated expression ever!
When future kidlets whine, “But that’s not fair!” …
I will never say “Life’s not fair!”
I hated that expression more than anything, and still do. I’d rather hear “Well, kill yourself!” Anything but those three words.
Because I knowwwww life isn’t fair. But there is nothing more annoying than hearing it over and over.
I must think of a retort I can actually use … Maybe “Oh, well!” or “Tough!” Whatever it is, that is what will become my kid’s most-hated expression. Gotta pass it on!
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Heather's Handmade Life 