Screen Time

We are really making an effort to spend less time in front of screens: televisions, computers, iPods, video games, cell phones.

Like most kids (and adults), we spend much too much time in front of our screens.

It's so easy to do... and so easy to waste an hour or more.

But there are so many other things, better things, we could be doing instead of vegging out on the couch, watching a re-run of some Disney channel show.

Today, I told the kids they each get a half an hour in front of the screen of their choice.

Lexi chose a half hour of tv.

Jake chose a half hour of x-box.

Lizzy and Morgan chose a half hour of Veggie Tales.

And that made me smile.

When Lexi was Morgan's age, she was obsessed with Veggie Tales.

She watched them every chance she got.

We got our first dog during this phase. His name is Bob... after Bob the Tomato.

I'm just glad she didn't make us name Jake Larry.

Lexi was in the hospital for about a week during her Veggie Tale obsession.

With nothing else to do, she watched Veggie Tales all day and all night (on VHS... it was 2001..we weren't that high tech yet!) We still have those VHS tapes.

But today, the girls found "King George and the Ducky"on Netflix.

I actually used my half hour watching it with them (while working on the computer too..two screens...bad!)

Jake and Lexi got sucked in too, and the five of us watched most of the show together.

I'm happy to say I remember all the words to the Veggie Tales theme song, and most of the words to the Silly Song with Larry.

Some things you just don't forget.

But the best part, was watching tv and laughing with the kids, rather than all of us just "zoning" out and staring at the screen.

And guess what?

They all survived just fine with only 30 minutes of screen time.

In fact, the little girls and I played a game of Memory and read two books...and they were still sleeping by 8:15.

By the way, I really do love Veggie Tales.. I've been singing "More Wronger" all evening!

Leapin' Kerzmans!

I had a great idea for a picture for my picture of the day challenge today: I wanted the kids to leap, all at the same time.

I obviously didn't think the idea through. I had no idea how difficult it would be.

But.. it was still fun, at least on my side of the camera anyway!

My favorite of the three "leapers" is posted here.

But here are the "rejects", which I think are still pretty funny!

Morgan, walking in front of the camera.. not to leap, just to be in the way!

Morgan... still walking!

After we finished this little photo shoot, I wondered: how many of our neighbors were watching this gong show out their windows? At least the Kerzmans are always good for a laugh :)

And Then It Was Quiet...

This cartoon pretty much sums up my life:

Everyone yelling and running around like crazy people.

Even Morgan.

When she really wants to get her point across, she stomps her foot, stares you in the eye, yells some random sounds, pauses, then adds a very dramatic "huh".

While that's cute, I really hate the yelling.

I hate the yelling so much I even made it one of my resolutions for 2012: stop yelling.

I don't yell as much, but I still yell.

I justify it by telling myself, if I speak in a normal voice, no one will hear me.

Our house is just so loud.

So loud.

I can't stand it.

I know I'll miss the noise someday.

But not today.

Today I really just long for a few minutes, preferably before midnight, of peace and quiet.

Yet, here it is: 12:46 am.

It is finally quiet.

I think it's the first silence I've enjoyed all day, and technically, it's a new day, which means yesterday was extra loud.

But even now, it's not really quiet.

I'm listening to the sound of the dishwasher (which I'd put off starting earlier because I swear it's getting noiser everytime I run it) and the snoring from the little girls' room (which is actually pretty cute).

But here's the thing... now it's actually too quiet.

I can't enjoy my book, because it's too quiet.

Or maybe it's because I'm exhausted.

At any rate, if I've learned anything in the past few years, this too shall pass.

Soon, very soon... and way earlier than I'd like, the noise will resume.

And it will likely be yelling.

I can't wait.

Seriously.

I can't wait to see what tomorow will bring, noise and all! 

Morgan-ism

They're starting.

Morgan-isms.

Here's today's Morgan-ism (from the girl who barely talks):

Morgan, yelling at the dog: "Bob!"
Jake, to Morgan: "Are you Bob?"
Morgan: "No. My me!"