How to Blow Your Toddler's Mind - Elmo's Super Heroes Live!

One of my favorite things about being a mom is watching CJ's face light up with happiness. I love the moments where he sees something, hears something, or notices something for the first time. His little mind just gets blown away. He makes the greatest faces.

Last month we took CJ to a super special surprise. He had no idea where we were going. He probably just assumed we were going to Nana's house. We drove over to the Lowell Auditorium in Lowell MA. We managed to keep CJ from noticing the giant tour bus that would give away our secret. When we entered, there were balloons and toys and lots of souvenirs starring all of his favorite characters. We got him to his seat and then Dada went to go get him a surprise - a stuffed Bert and Ernie. CJ was content to watch all of the kids around him and snuggle with his new toys.

Then... his mind was BLOWN! He heard Big Bird's voice! He jumped on his chair and was looking around saying "ig ird! ig ird!!" Then the curtain came up and Ernie was there - "Nie! Nie!!"

Suffice it to say that Sesame Street Live was a hit with CJ. He could not sit down. He literally stood on his chair the entire time. (Don't worry, he is short and there was no one behind him.) He was yelling at the actors on stage "More, more!" When they would come out into the audience, it took all of our strength to  keep him from dive-bombing people to get to them.

He did get to see Ernie up close and personal though. He showed him his Ernie doll and Ernie put his hand on his head and said "That's me!" I'm not going to lie, I cried. Seeing CJ that happy got me all choked up. I'm getting verklempt just thinking about it. CJ still keeps talking about this moment. I'm pretty sure it is the best thing that ever happened in his life. If you ask him about it he will go on for hours "Nie touch my head. Nee says dat me!" It is the cutest and sweetest thing ever. I think the funniest part was that CJ kept yelling to the stage "Yes please!" I don't know if he meant more or thanks or what, but it was hysterical.

The show itself was actually really fun. It is all about healthy eating and healthy living. Poor Super Grover has lost his super-ness because he isn't taking care of himself. All of the characters teach him about eating properly, getting enough rest, etc. The show was entertaining to me as an adult, so obviously the kiddies loved it. So if Sesame Street Live is coming to your town, CJ and I definitely recommend that you go. They will love you forever. As you can see from the picture, I am officially the mom of the year.

His facial expressions kill me. He was sooooo excited! 

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Organa Kids' DVD & Giveaway

We are a big TV family in our house. I know that is bad, but we can't help it. Hubby and I like to relax at night and watch some TV, so I can't begrudge the little one for wanting to do the same. He isn't always watching TV, but it is usually on in the background. He isn't allowed to watch just anything though. I make sure that whatever he is watching is age-appropriate (except when dada watches Spiderman with him) and somewhat educational. We don't have cable, so CJ is limited to Netflix and his DVDs. I'm always on the lookout for new fun and education DVD's.

I was recently introduced to the DVDs put together by Organa Kids. Organa Kids was started with the intention of producing quality children's DVDs. They wanted to introduce American children to multicultural stories with universal themes. Many of the characters comes from stories popular in various other countries, but with ideas that resonate with American children. For more information, go to OrganaKids.com.

The awesome people over at Organa Kids sent me two DVDs for CJ and I to watch and review. First we got Happy Valley. Not going to lie, at first I thought that the illustrations were kind of goofy. They reminded me of South Park, so I thought it was going to be campy and dumb. I ended up thinking it was really cute. Happy Valley is for pre-schoolers and it just follows a group of young children as they go about their daily lives. They live in an ideal place where they can frolic and sing nursery rhymes and explore the seasons. It is very simply and lively. CJ loved it. He loved all of the music and especially loved the Fall scene with all of the leaves falling down. Check out a sample below.

The second DVD we got to preview was Nelly & Caesar. Nelly and Caesar are stars of an internationally beloved book series. Nelly the mouse and Caesar the frog are best friends. Along with their many animal friends, including a hedgehog, beaver, and squirrel, they go on daily adventures. Along the way they invite your child to come with them. Each episode invites your child to come along with them and play whatever game it is they are playing that episode. Through interaction, your child will learn while playing. CJ really liked this one. He is obsessed with frogs, so this was right up his alley.



CJ and I are now big fans of Organa Kids. We will definitely be getting a few more of their DVDs.  I have my eye on  Dougie in Disguise and possibly one of their Yoga for kids DVDs. If you would like to win your own set of DVDs from Organa Kids, just fill out the rafflecopter form below.

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Does Curious George Have E-bola?

Before I had children, I always said that I was never going to let my children watch TV. That lasted until I needed 6 seconds to go to the bathroom and decided to let him watch Sesame Street. Now the TV is on pretty much non-stop. We aren't necessarily watching it most of the time, it is just on. Since we now watch TV, I've come to observe quite a few things on children's television that lead me to believe that these writers are messed up in the head. Maybe it is just me, but you be the judge.

I googled "Norman Price" and got this.
Glad I'm not the only one who thinks this is his future.

Fireman Sam - Two words for you : Norman Price. This child needs to be institutionalized. He is obviously going to become a sociopath. He pathologically ignores all of the adults in his life, his mother has no idea where he is 90% of the time, and it is only a matter of time before he gets someone killed. Every single episode he willfully disobeys whatever adult is trying to help him, and then Fireman Sam comes to his rescue. He needs to be in a home.

Barney - Am I the only one who thinks that BJ, Baby Bop, and guy with the light-up head are Barney's illegitimate children? I'm not right? I actually like the show, I think it is cute, and somehow it doesn't bother me as much as some other shows, but I still think Barney is a little bit of a creeper. There is never any mention of the dinosaurs parents, and Barney was a little cagey when their "cousin" moved to town. I'm not buying it buddy.

Thomas the Train - This one probably drives me the most crazy. Why, in the hell, are the conductors listening to the train? If you are the driver of a train, and it starts to tell you what to do, you don't listen to it. You go and put yourself into the care of a qualified psychiatrist who will put you on some nice meds so you don't hurt anyone. There is this one particular episode that is especially obnoxious. Thomas has a statue of a lion that he has to deliver somewhere. Thinking that it is a real lion, he has food and water and all kinds of crap thrown into the back for it. Who puts the stuff into the back? Humans. They know that there is a statue of a lion in there and yet they do what the damn train tells them to.

Only a matter of time.
Also he probably stole that banana.
Hoodlum.

Dora the Explorer - I know this is an obvious one, but WHERE ARE YOUR PARENTS?! What in the hell are you doing out in the middle of the woods with a monkey and a talking backpack? Someone needs to call child protective services before she gets attacked by a bear. Also get her a better map. Ps. This show annoys us so much that CJ isn't even allowed to watch it. 

Curious George - This is similar to the Thomas issue. Why do these humans keep putting the monkey in charge of stuff? He goes to a candy store and the owner leaves him in charge while she gets more stock. Then she's surprised when he gave away all the candy. Uhmm, HE'S A MONKEY! And the man in the yellow hat is a creeper. No one else finds it suspicious that he lives alone with a monkey that he kidnapped from Africa? Now, I want a pet monkey as much as the next kid, but even I know that isn't a good idea. Has he not seen the movie Outbreak?

Yo Gabba Gabba - I've never done drugs, but I'm pretty sure that this show is the closest to doing Ecstasy that I'm ever going to feel. I feel like I'm at a rave when I watch this show. What kind of creatures are they supposed to be anyway? I know one is a robot, but the rest? Are the aliens? Dinosaurs? One looks like an inappropriate adult toy. I'm just saying.

Super Why - "This sounds like a super big problem, just right for Super Why!" No, it isn't. It really isn't that serious. The pig doesn't want to wear a bucket on his head. So take the bucket off your head pig. Not that complicated. Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep? Big surprise. I don't know if you've realized, but Bo is a little absent-minded. She's been losing those sheep for over 500 years now. All the letters in the alphabet are not going to help her find those sheep. If you like letters so much, just go home and read a book.

Bob the Builder - Stop talking to your machinery Bob. It doesn't seem healthy. I'm pretty sure that people who hallucinate as much as you do should be on some serious medication. And that sore of medication usually advises against operating heavy machinery. You might need to find a new job. Also, I feel like Bob the Builder was created in order to give children blue collar work ethic. Nothing wrong with blue collar work ethic, but I find it odd that a children's tv show has that sort of agenda.

Caillou - Caillou is a whiney, spoiled little brat. He is doing nothing for American-Canadian relations. I don't believe in spanking, but sometimes he needs a good tap on the booty. He's still less annoying than most other characters, so I'll allow it.

So am I the only one who sees all this? Please tell me you do to. Also tell me which children's tv characters drive you nuts and why. I just want to make sure I'm not insane. 

All characters are trademarked by their respective companies. I own nothing, except a ridiculous and sick sense of humor. 

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