Enchanted Chameleon

~ the real TV free experience ~

So you are probably wondering how the real 'person of interest' fared in our week going TV free. That person being my little one C.  Forget about the multitude of ways that I kept myself busy, I'm not the one who's brain we are trying to save from zombielesence.  

Now this wasn't the first time we've gone without TV for a week.  And it was interesting to observe that every time that we go TV free the same thing happens and I even said it to myself the few days going into the week.  Every time we go TV free C gets sick.  Sure enough C was home for 2 1/2 days with a fever, not feeling well.  Now, this is an issue simply because as a child my holy grail of being sick was getting to be sick on a couch and to watch a bunch of TV. In fact, in the past, with C, I've even pulled out the pull out couch for such a time.  Another sacred ritual of my youth.  So this time, I guess you could say that I went into the week prepared, that C would get sick and I wasn't going to let that stop us from succeeding at a week away from the screen.  

It turned out to be quite easy.  He was happy to do a little something than, lie down and nap for a while.  It made me wonder who really makes the fuss about watching TV when they are sick. Mostly what he wanted was comfort and me around and luckily he got both last week cause I had a few extra days off from work.

As for the rest of the time, it went well.  Naturally there were complaints and hopes to watch TV.  He made far less fuss than I had anticipated.  I find that the fuss that he usually makes about watching TV comes from having watched TV and having to stop watching TV.  I find that the TV makes he edgy and cranky and that really wasn't the case last week, which in turn confirms, for me, that the TV has an effect on his mood and his need for it.  It's possible that this time round of not watching TV was easier than usual.  We already have restricted watching times, only on weekends.  However it was the weekends of watching endlessly, or so it felt for me regarding C, that had me wanting this break.  

By the weekend, after a trip to the library and a new stack of books, I found that I had replaced the TV watching.  He wanted lots of stories.  I decided to indulge that.  I had already accomplished a lot last week and with the extra few days off, I was in no hurry to be doing anything else.  It was great to feel free to just indulge C in some quality story time.  Also, without the TV, C's little creative spunk returned in full force.  He had a full arsenal of stuff packed up at the front door Saturday afternoon for us to go outside and have a picnic.  It was nice to be overwhelmed by the grande plans of a five year old instead of the cranky poopy pants that is pent up with energy not expended and having to go to bed without having played or used his brain or body enough.  

And of course that feeling, you know, the flash of guilt that we mama's often, ahem, sometimes get when we are 'choosing a battle' in the path that is most often taken.  It was alleviated or at least moved on to another area that needs more time, more energy, more something or another to be improved, to reach an ideal, in the hopeful near future.  Can I get an assistant please?

And currently out of everyone in the house, little C is now the only one that is still TV free from the beginning of last week.  Go C!  He's rockin' it and doesn't even realize it.

One source that helped us get prepared for this and other TV free weeks, is the book above, The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV by Jan and Stan Berenstain.  The Bear Family goes TV free for a week, of course in true Bear Family style Papa Bear is the real culprit.  I liked that they are doing what we are doing.  And in the end TV just isn't as interesting as C, Jeff and I re-discovered again this past week.  We read this at bedtime the few nights before we began the week, and spoke with C about it so he knew it was coming up.  It definitely helped him to understand the concept of what we are up to, and we had no problem initiating a smooth entry into the week.

So do you think you are up for the challenge?  Don't think you can do it?  Why not just give it a try and see what you discover.  I assure you, every time we do there is new information out there, beyond the screen for us to learn and assimilate to make for a far more balanced life.  XO.  S  

~ gray ~

Day 3 of no TV this week.  I was busy as a bee crafting last night, all the while thinking of Skully and Mulder and how it couldn't possibly hurt anyone if they were on while I was sewing.  I was pretty positive that I would still get all that I was getting done if the TV was on.  Ya right.  Who am I kidding.  And so today I plunged into painting my long overdue bedroom.  I see a pattern. Either I'm full on lazy and checked out in front of the tube at night or I'm a manic getter-doner. I think the real goal should be for me to find the gray area, the happy medium where creating and getting-dones are balanced with a little tube time here and there.  

In the meantime, my room is painted!  And I have new hair accessories.  Will share soon.  Happy hump day.  XO.  S

~ with bells on ~

Our first day without TV was easy as pie.  First, C doesn't normally watch TV on a Monday so the only real problem was me and my withdrawal from my as of late nightly visit with Skully and Mulder on Netflix.  It kicked in around mid-afternoon that I would be missing them that night but with a parent meeting at the school to distract I didn't even have to try to keep myself occupied.  The teacher had us busy exploring the development of the 5 1/2 year olds and the orangutans that our children currently resemble, while we finger knitted bracelets with bells on for the children to wear at the May Fest this coming Friday.

I came home quickly, excited to delve into some pattern books to pick a first project for the week and then got sucked into all the DIY's on the internet.  It had me wondering if our TV free week should be more like a Screen Free week, with Mama as the one with the real habit to break.  So much for getting more sleep this week on the very first day.  XO.  S  

~ insta-life ~

Just loving life through my iPhone lately.  Don't you love how a little Instagram or Hipstamatic makes the ordinary, extraordinary? I sure do.  Hope you had a great weekend.  

Speaking of extraordinary, the boys and I are jumping into a week that is free of TV.  Interested in joining us?  XO.  S

~ lessons de le macaron ~

Sometimes I feel like to move forward I need to step back first.  Like when it comes to working in the kitchen.  I went from living off of nachos, KD and subs in my early 20's, to a raw foods diet in my late 20's with no sense of the middle of the road, everyday average ways of cooking in between.  

So sometimes I just need to try things out to see what they are like for the sake of experimentation.  Like yesterday, I made French macarons.  This was a second attempt.  Last time, they turned out as bubbled crisps that I had to scrape off the cookie sheet. I realize that French macarons aren't necessarily middle of the road baking but I'm intrigued by them, see them from blog to blog and think they are sure pretty to look at.   So somewhere in my head I figure, I have to at least make them the regular way and then maybe I could find some way to make them healthier or at least, my way.

So here's what I learned:

::  Those puppies are pure sugar.  Whoa Nelly!  My teeth are hurting just thinking about it.

::  Whipping eggs into stiff peaks with a hand egg beater isn't really as hard as I thought.  I see Pavlova's in my future.

::  It is really exciting to see them come out in the puffed up shape that they are supposed to come out like.  Especially post flat bubbly crisps that looked nothing like what they are supposed to look like.

::  Spraying water underneath the parchment paper on cooling cookies (or at least in my case, vegetable spray cleaner cause we had no water spray bottle) is THE way to have cookies that are parchment paper free.  YUM 

::  What really intrigues me the most about French macaron's are the pretty 1960's pastel pinks and greens that I see them in.  Maybe I just need to paint something.

On a completely unrelated to baking note, I also learned yesterday that my dog is not ready to be off leash on a walk in my neighbourhood.

Big learning day.  XO.  S

~ mental health day ~

Taking a time out with my C today.  I once had a teacher in high school that suggested you call in sick when you feel well and enjoy the day when you need the day.  That's what we are doing today.  A little of this, a little of that.  I think parents that give children a chance to choose intuition and connection over the have to that school can be are awesome.  I guess you could say that I think therefore I am.  XO.  S

~ we speak for the trees ~

I was so happy to share this flick with C and his papa this weekend.  I really don't like cartoon movies.  I didn't grow up watching Disney flicks and I find most of them are not so much geared towards children but adolescent men and therefore don't get that excited about watching them.  But this one was different.  

We have a copy of the original The Lorax book by Dr. Seuss that was Jeff's when he was little.  C has loved reading it with us for a while and when he heard there was a movie for it he was very excited to see it.

I have to admit, per usual, I was impressed with the actual animation.  I may not get pumped to watch animated flicks, but when I do I can appreciate a good story (Horton Hears a Who and Wallee). The hair texture and now cloth textures are also quite impressive.  But more than anything I loved how they brought the story that is so present in our world today alive on the screen. An absolute must see in my opinion.  Ed Helms was fantastic.    

It made me extra excited to come home to our own little seedlings.  Since we're still in an apartment we don't have trees sprouting, yet, so instead we speak for an edamame, a pepper and a pumpkin plant.  Hopefully flowers to follow.  XO.  S

~ c's choice ~

C plus my camera =

Impromptu Friday night photo shoot.  Night vision added in the editing process.  Of course, what little boy can't resist the effects of night vision on his pictures.  This is us not watching TV. XO.  S

~ snow play ~

We were at this same spot tobogganing a year ago.  I love seeing the changes in C that come from repeating this experience a year later.  Last year we took it slow and easy.  This year he was on his own like a rocket down the hill.  Last year he experienced it as a 4 year old and this year he is 5.  This year he can walk up the hill and pull a toboggan and run down the hill and so much more.  These are the experiences that my faith are built on.  That it is possible to just step back and let life take its course.  To be a buffer, and set some boundaries and otherwise allow my little one to show me what he can and can't do.  What he is or is not ready for.  No training required. If I'm feeling stuck that I'm not getting through to him or I think I need threats or bribes or what have you to get him to do something, I just need to think about a day like this.  He'll get there when he is ready.  Children truly have all the potential in the world, they just need a solid foundation to stand on, and that's where we come in.  So awesome.  XO.  S

~ portlandia ~

I love funny things that make me laugh at myself.  Oh yes.  Myself.  This would be Jeff and I.  We love our episodic TV and although we lack cable and are always seasons behind everyone, we still can't get enough.  Just finished Twin Peaks.  Just discovered Dexter Season 3 on Netflix.  There is always something to fill our fancy next.  Plus this Show Portlandia is just great.  There is a whole new type of person that has emerged over the past few years and I am one of them.  I know this because I've also, "Put a Bird On It".  Without ever having been to Portland I know I would love it.   XO.  S