Sunday, May 20, 2012

G-Rated

It has occurred to me recently that I am now a connoisseur so to speak of kids movies. And, I guess not just movies but also kid-friendly tv stations and shows shown on PBS, Sprout, Disney Jr., Nick Jr., etc...When did this happen? I have never been into kid movies especially anything animated that is until, you guessed it, I had kids! They never warn you about this when you become a parent that this will be part of the deal, that as a parent you are signing up for years and years of kid friendly movies, tv stations/shows, etc... You're probably saying, "why is she all worked up about this?" or "who cares?" or "big deal!" but seriously I have not watched an adult TV show (consistently) or seen movies in the theater on a regular basis other than G-rated movies ordered at home from OnDemand or Apple TV since Chase was born in March of 2008.

It's not really a big deal if you think about life and the million things we have to worry about and I'm not complaining, I promise that I am not. I just find it interesting that this is one of the many things we as parents give up when we knowingly, lovingly, and without regret become parents. Just like a restful, peaceful night's sleep, or a few minutes to think and make a decision, use the bathroom, or make an interrupted phone call without kids screaming in the background... just one of those things.



And so, because watching movies and TV are all apart of our everyday lives no matter how much or little we consume (we do all consume in the end no matter how much you try to restrict or not watch it's a part of life) trying to be selective and present in how and when and what your kids watch is what really matters!


For us, our family, we do allow our kids to watch movies and TV with supervision, of course. It helps in the morning when we're all trying to get ready for the day especially on those days when someone woke up late and is off schedule and mommy needs to take over... It is essential when one of us, my husband or I, am at a late night meeting and switching on Sprout or the movie favorite of the week/month (right now it is The Polar Express -- I know it's May!) for a half hour or so to make dinner can really save the day... the only tip that I can say without judgement whatsoever is to limit the time they watch per day, be aware of the violence in everything they watch, and try your best to let them watch TV shows, movies without any commercials/adverstisements. That's a hard one but if you have Tivo, OnDemand (they have free TV shows, movies, etc...), or Apple TV, you can select what your child watches and it's commercial free -- huge!!!




So my point is this, why suffer if you don't have to... find the best of the best when it comes to kids movies and tv. And, of course watch in moderation. This is our quick list of those movies, including a few TVs shows mixed in, that are regulars in our house, car, and have made regular appearances in transit on a few Boeing-737s from Seatac to Orlando International a time or two...our very favorite is listed last. :) 


Dinosaur Train

Sesame Street 
(of course, but Chase is growing bored with this fav, Colby still loves!)

Clifford The Big Red Dog 
(Colby's favorite - the movie and tv shows; he's so cute!)


Super Y

Little Einstein 


Horton Hears A Who

The Incredibles

The Berenstein Bears

Shrek 
(all are fun but Shrek 4 has been our favorite)

Bee Movie

A Bug's Life

Go Diego Go! / Dora The Explorer

The Backyardigans 
(specifically the International Super Spy :-)

Winne the Pooh's Grand Adventure 
(Chase loves this one ever since we met Pooh at WDW last year!)

Up 
(so sweet, I love this one!)

Calliou 
(all his shows but without the puppets, Chase is not a fan of those guys!)

Wall-E 
(one of my new all time favs and not just for kids' movies!)

Curious George 
(Movies and TV shows, these are so great!)

The Lion King 
(we watched this in the theater with Chase, his first real movie/theater experience!)

The Polar Express 
(great movie for anytime of year, I promise!)

Toy Story (1, 2, and 3)

Cars 1 and 2 
(even though the second has some adult content, if you watch with your kiddos and explain, it's not that bad)

Finding Nemo 
(this movie will always be a joy to watch with kiddos and is our ultimate favorite movie; the first "kid" movie we EVER watched with Chase)


Our family's all-time favorit movie! We love Finding Nemo!





C2 Adventures: My Sweet Colby

C2 Adventures: My Sweet Colby: I feel as if sometimes my little Colby gets lost in the hustle and bustle, with a big bro that demands quite a bit of attention, I often wr...

Saturday, May 12, 2012

C2 Adventures: The Lucky One

C2 Adventures: The Lucky One: As I write this post, I'm cuddling with my boys in my bed watching Despicable Me. I know, despicable right? Well, not really it is actually...

Sunday, March 18, 2012

C2 Adventures: Chase's Cheezy Birthday

C2 Adventures: Chase's Cheezy Birthday: This past week our first born turned four years old. I can't believe it! He is growing so fast. For the boys' birthdays we've started a trad...

Friday, February 10, 2012

I've come a long way baby...

As I lay in my bed with my laptop trying to get some work done, sick little Colby is napping beside me. (He snores just like Scott, and it's not because he's sick, he's always been a loud, noisy sleeper and breather since the day he was born.) I realize that I may be a step closer to getting this whole "mom" thing down.  I can't recall how many times I have been called in the middle of the work day to pick up a sick kid, usually for a fever, too many to count but amazingly not as many as you would imagine having a kid (Chase) with a seriously low immune system. And, I must admit, I'm really glad it's not Chase who is sick but I imagine it's only a matter of time. The whole family will probably be sick in a few days, ugh.


Anyway, I'm proud of myself today. I did not immediately hang up the phone, pick Colby up and drive him straight to the doctor without an appointment and have them fit us in. I decided to evaluate little Colby first. I've done this before where I take him in and our doctor looks at me like I do not have a clue and am way to nervous, anxious, and frazzled over a minor cough or cold and should probably not have brought him in but I did and they end up sending me home after my $25 co-pay telling me to "watch and see" how he does over the next 2-4 hours. 


Colby has a little stomach bug, he drank a little bit and threw up a few times after we got home but was quite perky after and drank more. We sat together for a bit, he was clingy and not totally happy but not overly fussy either. He started to get sleepy and is now napping beside me totally content and doing fairly well, no fever. I do have a call in to our doctor to touch base but I have not scheduled an appointment yet.


So, I guess this little post is to celebrate just a little bit that I'm not such a nervous nelly anymore, I've come a long way and am learning to trust my motherly instincts rather than thinking the sky is falling every time Chase or Colby get sick...(knock on wood). It is hard to see them not feeling well but going to the doctor isn't always the solution... and freaking out most certainly isn't either. Staying calm is key, this is true especially when Chase is sick. He's old enough now that he understands when I'm stressed or scared and that just makes him more so. Kids rely on you to be strong and not freak out especially when they are sick and they need their mommy and daddy. No pressure there especially when your mind goes to all those dark "what if" places... But I guess that is what we signed up for when we became parent's, right? Easier said then done on so many levels. I've got a long journey ahead of me but it's comforting to know that I'm taking steps in the right direction...

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Running for Inspiration

I haven't clue why this is but when I run all is right with the world. Running inspires me, motivates me, gets my adrenaline going and helps me put it all into perspective as much as is possible anyway... It is my time to think, to reconnect, to de-stress, to contemplate, to reflect, to hope, to problem-solve, to push, to smile, to feel and be young, to understand, to challenge, to pray, and to Let...It...ALL..Go!


Whatever it is for you... Do IT!  Do what you love, do what makes you happy, do what makes you a better you and helps you forget the small things that don't matter... (Thanks Scotty, for giving me this much needed time on the treadmill this morning! I <3 you!)


Today's Playlist: 
Photograph - Nickelback
Good Riddance - Green Day
Suddenly I See - KT Tunstall
Can't Change Me - Chris Cornell
In or Out - Ani DeFranco
Blue Skies - Tori Amos
What comes around goes around - Justin Timberlake
This is us - Emmylou Harris and Mark Knoffler
What you are - Dave Matthews Band
Float On - Modest Mouse
Spotlight - Mutemath
Supermassive Blackhole - Muse
So Right - Dave Matthews Band
Start me up - Rolling Stones
Don't Phunk with my heart - Black-eyed Peas