Media Access

I've been vigilant in my quest to limit my children's access to media. As far as I know, Island Boy didn't watch any television before the age of two (in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations).

Since turning two, his television viewing has been largely restricted to what may be on when we visit a friend or relative's home with a few exceptions. Most of these rare exceptions have been made by Island Boy's Daddy and all for good reason. For example, "It's the World Cup!", might be something you would hear in our house in recent days.

As for me, the only time I can think of that I've voluntarily allowed my children to sit in front of the television is to watch...drumroll please!!...our wedding video. It's true. Instead of the grand plans we had for celebrating our anniversary, we spent the day at home with a sick little boy. And what's a mother to do with a sick little boy on her anniversary? I even let our daughter have a peek when she wasn't busy doing her thing.

Who knew just how entertaining a wedding video could be to a little boy?? He wanted to watch it over and over again. This is one time when I folded completely. It is difficult to say who enjoyed it more.

Yellow Belt

Island Boy earned his yellow belt today. I will be the first to admit that it was touch and go for a while - in fact really for much of the time. Would he earn it?

We knew he could do it, but would he?? Island Boy has been impressive at his kicks, punches and blocks - when he actually does his kicks, punches and blocks. So often there are better things to try or to think about (e.g. hmm...I feel like doing half moon pose! or hey, I think I'll do a forward roll! or the ever popular, "I'm thirsty!").

It's not an easy thing for a young gentleman of any single-digit age to remain focused for any length of time and since that is the primary requirement for earning belts at this stage, it was a challenge. A big challenge.

Still, somehow Island Boy pulled through and earned his yellow belt and we're very, very proud of him.

Chemically Enhanced

This article is pretty frightening. Chemicals on floors and other eating surfaces are not a good thing to have in your home if you have young children. No surprise there really, but for some reason we need to be reminded to get the chemicals off of our eating surfaces (yes, like it or not floors are eating surfaces when you have youngin's!) and out of our children's hands.

The article contains a number of easy hints about how to do clean up your act. Fortunately, it's really not all that hard (or expensive) to clean your home with natural ingredients and give your children non-toxic things to play with.