It is National Screen Free Week starting April, 18. Visit here to see the supporters and data that stand behind going screen free. Certainly, many children and adults could benefit from less screen time.
We are taking the pledge to be screen free this week (for Alex and those who make a living using the screen, it means no recreational screen time). While the TV stands in the off position in our house, our girls watch movies in the van. I would say they watch them 35% of the time we are driving which isn't a major concern of mine. Regardless, we are flipping up the van TV. I will only use my phone for talking and email.
I am really proud that the TV stays off inside the house. I can't imagine watching my girls sitting passively on the couch watching TV each afternoon. When talking to Savannah about it, she commented on how she isn't interested in watching TV after school and has no desire to learn how to play video games. She followed it up with, "Did you raise me to be like this since you don't watch TV either." You bet I/we did!
You won't hear from me for at least a week. . . .
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Princess Sisters
Our local local library held a mature princess tea this weekend. It was for ages 4-8 and involved Miss West Chester University and her court. There wasn't any of the Disney Princess stuff that I have successfully avoided with my girls. Savannah has never been a princessy type girl but with Miss Girly Lila in the house, Savannah has been caught dressing up from time to time. Dressing up in a fancy princess dress is right down Lila's alley.
When I saw the registration, I thought it might be nice for Savannah and Lila to attend. With Miss West Chester University there to teach the girls proper etiquette and read some stories, how could I go wrong. Lila would love it and Savannah would get to see another side of princesses. I should make clear that I am not trying to turn my girls into princesses but rather open their eyes beyond that of Disney princesses. I also thought it would be a special Lila and Savannah outing. By the way, Adeline was very excited to go to Target with Daddy and had no desire to join the princess tea.
Savannah and Lila had a blast. Miss West Chester University gave each girl a special necklace (rather nice too) with a heart that flips from upside down to right side up. She reminded them that each day they should find a way to be generous. They were told to flip their heart once they extended their generosity. Pretty cute idea. After some fancy cupcakes and pink lemonade, Miss West Chester University danced with the girls. My two girls were dancing together which was a very sweet sight. (parents had to stand outside the door which prevented picture taking)
Sadly, this might be the last time Savannah leaves the house dressed up as a princess.
As an aside. . . Lila wears this green dress up dress because her other dresses have torn. This dress shows her belly which I am not a fan of but when we have torn up the two more conservative dresses that were in the collection, what is a Mom to do? When Lila walked into the party she immediately pulled the shirt down in effort to hide her belly. Unfortunately, that exposed her chest and wasn't acceptable. Miss Lila was so embarrassed to show her belly that she started crying. I settled her and told that her she chose to wear the green dress instead of the ones with holes and we had nothing else for her to change into. Eventually, she pulled it together and walked into the party. I believe this will remedy her desire for a bikini. Can you believe my four year old wants a bikini? Savannah doesn't even have one. For the record, no one will have one for years to come!
When I saw the registration, I thought it might be nice for Savannah and Lila to attend. With Miss West Chester University there to teach the girls proper etiquette and read some stories, how could I go wrong. Lila would love it and Savannah would get to see another side of princesses. I should make clear that I am not trying to turn my girls into princesses but rather open their eyes beyond that of Disney princesses. I also thought it would be a special Lila and Savannah outing. By the way, Adeline was very excited to go to Target with Daddy and had no desire to join the princess tea.
Savannah and Lila had a blast. Miss West Chester University gave each girl a special necklace (rather nice too) with a heart that flips from upside down to right side up. She reminded them that each day they should find a way to be generous. They were told to flip their heart once they extended their generosity. Pretty cute idea. After some fancy cupcakes and pink lemonade, Miss West Chester University danced with the girls. My two girls were dancing together which was a very sweet sight. (parents had to stand outside the door which prevented picture taking)
Sadly, this might be the last time Savannah leaves the house dressed up as a princess.
As an aside. . . Lila wears this green dress up dress because her other dresses have torn. This dress shows her belly which I am not a fan of but when we have torn up the two more conservative dresses that were in the collection, what is a Mom to do? When Lila walked into the party she immediately pulled the shirt down in effort to hide her belly. Unfortunately, that exposed her chest and wasn't acceptable. Miss Lila was so embarrassed to show her belly that she started crying. I settled her and told that her she chose to wear the green dress instead of the ones with holes and we had nothing else for her to change into. Eventually, she pulled it together and walked into the party. I believe this will remedy her desire for a bikini. Can you believe my four year old wants a bikini? Savannah doesn't even have one. For the record, no one will have one for years to come!
April Sickness
I was thinking about how lucky we have been this April. Adeline has been moving through the month illness free. Of course that set the inevitable in motion. Yep, 103.5 and puking all day. Didn't even try to lift her head off the pillow. Poor little girl.
Things are still looking up though. This virus doesn't seem to be settling into her lungs and will likely run its course in a couple of days. Every other April of Adeline's life has been spent in the hospital and on oxygen. Even last year, The Belle was sporting a cannula for a couple of weeks. Viruses settle in her lungs and eventually they give into infection. Her lungs tire and sats drop. That's when we are in the ER trying very hard to avoid admission.
Fingers crossed that this year is different. We are half way there. . .
Things are still looking up though. This virus doesn't seem to be settling into her lungs and will likely run its course in a couple of days. Every other April of Adeline's life has been spent in the hospital and on oxygen. Even last year, The Belle was sporting a cannula for a couple of weeks. Viruses settle in her lungs and eventually they give into infection. Her lungs tire and sats drop. That's when we are in the ER trying very hard to avoid admission.
Fingers crossed that this year is different. We are half way there. . .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)