Posted by
Colleen
November 20, 2009
I haven’t done a review here on Mommie Daze in forever, but when One 2 One Network offered me the opportunity to review Busytown Mysteries based on the books by Richard Scarry, I jumped at the chance.
Oh, how I loved Richard Scarry’s books as a child. And the first book I bought for David, before he was even born, was a Richard Scarry book. He loves them too, and they’re a favorite to check out from the library.
I received a DVD with two episodes of the Busytown Mysteries cartoon to watch. But David and I were already fans having discovered it a while ago on CBS on Saturday mornings. He enjoys watching the beloved characters from the books come to life, like Huckle Cat, Lowly Worm and Goldbug.
Besides being entertaining, the show aims to teach children to use deductive reasoning skills as they help Huckle solve mysteries by asking the questions who, what, where, when, why and how. Also watching the characters on TV has only increased David’s interest in the books.
One 2 One Network also asked us to check out busytownmysteries.com, a free interactive site for kids with games and activities based on the cartoon. David liked getting to pick which Busytown character he wanted to be, and getting to choose his own “silly car.” On the site kids can explore different neighborhoods in Busytown like Downtown or the Countryside. Each neighborhood has games and activities that allow you to do anything from catch butterflies to decorate your own house to watch episodes of Busytown Mysteries. Kids can also save and print artwork they create on the site, and even email their work to grandparents or friends.
David enjoyed the website, and for the most part was able to do a lot of it on his own. Being only four years old he did need some help from me now and then to understand how to do some of the activities. I thought the site was age appropriate, and had some good educational benefits as well as being entertaining.
My only complaint was that there were a few times the site was very slow to load games or the games didn’t load at all, and we had to close down the site, reopen it, and start all over again.
But I’m sure we will be visiting busytownmysteries.com often, especially this winter when the snow is flying, it’s freezing outside, and David needs something to do.
Check the listings here to see when Busytown Mysteries airs on your local CBS station.
Posted by
Colleen
November 20, 2009
“Mommie, you told me I should try and think of something quiet to play while Wade is sleeping. But Mommie, I couldn’t think of anything quiet. Because Mommie, I like LOUD!”
- David, 4 years, 11 months old
Posted by
Colleen
November 18, 2009
David came out of the bathroom last night while he was getting ready for bed, “Mommie! I’m not afraid to put my hand in the toilet anymore!”
A proud smile beamed across his face.
“Why do you want to put your hand in the toilet? There’s never really a need to ever put your hand in the toilet. Toilets are dirty. That’s gross.”
“But I wanted to.”
“What?! Did you actually put your hand in the toilet?!”
“Yes. But it’s O.K. I washed with soap and water after. And I’m not afraid to do it anymore. To put my hand in the toilet.”
“Ugh! Get back in the bathroom! Why did you put your hand in the toilet?”
David lead me over to the toilet and explained.
“I put a piece of toilet paper in there for a target to pee on ’cause it’s fun. But the toilet paper wasn’t in the middle, so I put my hand in and moved it to the middle. Then I peed on it. Then I washed my hands. It’s O.K. Mommie. I washed my hands. It’s O.K. And I’m not afraid anymore.”
“Well, you should be afraid to put your hand in the toilet. David, don’t put your hand in the toilet anymore, alright? And wash your hands again.”
“But I already did.”
“Wash them again anyway, then brush your teeth.”
I walked away muffling the laughter I held in while we were talking.
Standing in the hall outside the bathroom I pictured a little boy staring into the toilet bowl at his off-center toilet paper target, his pants down around his ankles.
He’s trying to muster up enough courage to stick his hand in and move it. He studies it for a few seconds, considering if there is any other way to fix it. He sighs, resolved that there is no other option.
Bravely he rolls up his sleeve. Closing his eyes and screwing up his face, slowly he plunges his hand in. He feels the cold water on his skin. Realizing that it hasn’t killed him, he opens his eyes, fishes the toilet paper into place, and pulls his hand out, shuddering from the horror.
He does his business, and washes his hands, proud that he’s conquered his fear of the toilet bowl.
All. By. Him. Self.
Posted by
Colleen
November 18, 2009
I got up this morning, and took Wade to the doctor for his six month check-up. And you know us. No day that includes a trip to the doctor can every be dull day here.
I always schedule these things for the morning, because at the time it seems like a good idea to get get it over and done with first thing. Then when the day actually comes, and I’m running around to trying to get everybody up and dressed and going, I end up regretting it.
I really needed a shower this morning, but weighed that against my need to have enough time to drive-thru McDonalds for a Non-fat, Sugar-Free Vanilla Latte on the way.
The caffeine won out.
My hair was a mess, but missing out on my morning coffee is way worse than a bad hair day.
F.Y.I McDonalds, you might want to teach your employees the difference between a quarter and a gold dollar. I got an extra .75 cents back today.
The doctor is 45 minutes away. I don’t think we could ever find a better pediatrician, so we still see one in Grand Rapids even though we moved three years ago. It’s totally worth the drive. And it was a nice drive since I had my latte to sip.
Wade weighed in at 17 lbs. 3 oz. and is 27 inches long. He’s in the 50th percentile still. He’s not going to be huge like his older brother David.
After the nurse weighed Wade (Ha, ha — weighed, wade — it sounds the same. I’m easily amused.), and we were back in the room waiting for the doctor, I decided to change his diaper since his clothes were off already. I got the wet diaper off, and the clean one under him. Then while I was fiddling with a particularly stubborn tab that was stuck, Waded peed.
Without the diaper secured in place it went everywhere.
All over Wade.
All over the paper table liner.
All over the table.
Thankfully that paper liner is pretty absorbent, and I had a lot of baby wipes with me. I got it all cleaned up just before the doctor came in.
The exam reveled that Wade is normal and healthy and growing fine.
Poor Wade. Things got real bad for him after the doctor left.
The nurse came in to give him four shots, and an oral vaccine.
You’ll never guess what one of the shots was.
H1N1.
It’s a little late for that one.
After that nasty tasting stuff, and all those pokes, Wade was mad. I’ve never seen him that mad. It took a good 10 minutes to settle him down enough to put him in the car seat, so we could get out of there.
Too anyone who heard me singing You Are My Sunshine off key in the exam room, I’m sorry, but it always calms him down.
You probably didn’t hear me though over Wade’s screams.
Now Wade has a fever. He’s had a fever after each vaccination so far. With five today, I’m not surprised that he’s especially miserable.
Wade needed a lot of cuddling and holding tonight. He’s finally asleep in his bed now.
We’ll see how long that last.
I think it might be a long night.
Posted by
Colleen
November 16, 2009
Well, David had lots of fun at Chuck E. Cheese’s today.
I think Daddie had just as much fun.
Wade was in awe of all the lights and sounds.
I survived.
It actually wasn’t so bad. If you have to go to Chuck E. Cheese’s, lunch time on Monday is probably the best time to go. There were only a few people there, and all the kids were from the pre-school crowd.
David’s still getting through the night and nap time without his pull-up.
Dare I say this potty-training chapter is finally closed?
