We've just finished the gift-giving portion of the holidays. Everyone seemed happy with their gifts, but I felt compelled to tell you about the three top hits. Despite the plethora of craft kits, play equipment, jewelry, books, and fun accessories, the hands-down favorites were the season 1 DVDs of Gilligan's Island, Wonder Woman, and Little House on the Prarie.
With FirstKid being twelve and SecondKid being nine, I would have expected their top five list to consist of That's So Raven, Hannah Montana, The Avatar, and so forth, but consistently over the past couple of years, they just love the old stuff. They watch Andy Griffith, Happy Days, Shirley Temple, Three's Company, Full House, and so forth. I have to say that as a parent, I am thrilled. These old shows were silly fluff, but they actually entertained you without offensive language or risque topics. We never have to worry about censoring those shows because they just never attempted to be inappropriate.
Now, Little House on the Prarie was a guaranteed hit because the kids had seen it before on cable. They've also read the books, and they just love it. Who wouldn't love Laura's do-good-but-have-fun attitude, or Michael Landon's sensitive tears? Who wouldn't love to hate Nelly Olsen and her mean mom? It also gave a little flavor for the American past. It's all good.
The Wonder Woman choice was inspired by the Halloween costume that SecondKid chose. She just loved the outfit and the idea of being a superhero. She didn't know the details of Wonder Woman's story. Now, however, she adores the show, the character, and the premise. She's learned a little about World War II, to boot. It's a classic good-guy-fights-bad-guy-and-wins-every-time story, and it's even better because the good guy in this is a very strong, very beautiful woman. Despite the plastic push-up bustiere, Wonder Woman is still a good role model.
Finally, Gilligan's Island is such a big hit in the house that it's all that they want to watch. Actually, LabDad adores it, as well, and remembers every episode, too. Yes, this show is kind of just pathetic goofiness with its slapstick humor and predictable story lines, but it is also G-rated. There is no profanity, no nudity, and nothing inappropriate. It's fun and upbeat, and even relies on classic tales for some stories (some Greek myths, etc.). I honestly believe that there is inherent value in something that just plain causes uncontrollable laughter in a child (or adult). Watching Gilligan's Island has become a family activity, and what could be better than laughing your head off with your kids?
I know there are plenty of DVDs out there that have much more value (educational, motivational, moral, etc.), but our three top gifts this year are choices I would make again and again for these rugrats of mine.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Top Five
I've been asked to share what my top five Christmas/holiday songs are. First, I have to tell you that we aren't Christian, so I've always kind of felt...guilty, maybe..for loving Christmas music; adjacent to, maybe, instead of part of, I guess, the holiday festivities. It's kind of a complicated thing, but just know that the bottom line is that I am in no position to review or pass judgement on Christmas music. However, I know what I like.
1. Jingle Bell Rock - I heard this song for the first time in fifth grade when my class did a winter play. We had to learn this song, among a handful of others, and I fell in love with the tune.
2. The Twelve Pains of Christmas - This spoof on the classic had me howling the first time I heard it as a late teen, and it's just about as funny still.
3. Auld Lang Syne - I freely admit that I like the Dan Fogelberg song, although it isn't actually the same song. Still, it's my list and I can like it if I want to.
4. Do You Hear What I Hear - see number 1; I fell in love with it in fifth grade.
5. a tie for the last slot: Put One Foot in Front of the Other from Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and I'm Mr. Heat Miser from The Year Without a Santa Claus - I'll bet I don't even have to explain the reference here, but just in case, these are two of the old claymation classics, and they are so awesome!
So, what about you?
1. Jingle Bell Rock - I heard this song for the first time in fifth grade when my class did a winter play. We had to learn this song, among a handful of others, and I fell in love with the tune.
2. The Twelve Pains of Christmas - This spoof on the classic had me howling the first time I heard it as a late teen, and it's just about as funny still.
3. Auld Lang Syne - I freely admit that I like the Dan Fogelberg song, although it isn't actually the same song. Still, it's my list and I can like it if I want to.
4. Do You Hear What I Hear - see number 1; I fell in love with it in fifth grade.
5. a tie for the last slot: Put One Foot in Front of the Other from Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and I'm Mr. Heat Miser from The Year Without a Santa Claus - I'll bet I don't even have to explain the reference here, but just in case, these are two of the old claymation classics, and they are so awesome!
So, what about you?
Sunday, December 3, 2006
So You Think Your Kid Can Dance
FirstKid is in a competitive dance troupe, and so far, she's loved every minute of it. In addition to the two and a half hours of regular technique class (ballet, jazz, tap, and pointe), she also goes to a one hour troupe class each week at which the current routine is taught and drilled. Competitions are held about five times per year, and this weekend was the first competition of this year.
I have to admit that the girls were simply out of their league at this event. While they certainly did their best and they looked good to me, they were far behind the other schools' teams in technical ability, polish, and creativity in choreography. Out of all of the schools of dance participating, they were the only school which got no awards at all. From my parental perspective, it makes no difference to me at all whether they win anything or not. The experience of competing and of learning how dance competitions and conventions work is valuable and exciting; the experience itself is the reward. Apparently, however, I am somewhat alone in my opinion.
The kids were understandably disappointed about their lack of awards, but the moms - oh, the moms. Out of the bunch of moms from our group, I was clearly the only one who didn't care about the awards. The rest were divided into two groups: the ones who complained about the teachers, the school, and the competition itself, and the ones who were wildly angry and ranted about the teachers, the school, and the competition itself. That latter group scared me.
Jane (no real names used) has two daughters who dance. Her older one, Sally, is a very talented ballet dancer who "outgrew" our studio, and moved on to a studio where ballet is taken very, very seriously. Her younger one, Molly, finally "outgrew" our current studio, but for her, it was all about the fact that she wasn't winning competitions with her group. She felt that she was capable of more, and may be correct, but more to the point is that she was not satisfied with the girls in the troupe. They didn't "want it" as much as she did. Whether their dancing reflected it or not, I think Molly would have been happier with them if they had been willing to rant and rave and carry on as much as she did. (Of note is that Molly, while technically doing everything right, is not innately graceful.) More significant to me was that Jane was so upset by every aspect of the weekend. The teachers were pathetic, the routines were pathetic, the school's owner was pathetic... You get the point, I'm sure. The first thing out of her mouth when the girls came out of the awards ceremony (empty-handed) was a comment about their loss, not anything about how well they had done, their effort, etc. Jane ignited a whole box of fireworks of comments and conversations, none of which were healthy or helpful. It really bothered me that she would likely be a role model to some of these girls. I didn't want them to think that it was all about winning, but none of the other moms seemed to mind Jane's behavior.
On the way home, I had a talk with FirstKid. I told her how proud I was of her - of her focus, her commitment, her teamwork, her stamina, and most of all, of her smile which lit up the stage. I was very serious, and FirstKid knew that, but she replied to me, "But Mom, we didn't win anything. We stunk!" I said, "Did you do your best? Did you give it your all? Could you have done anything differently?" She understood, and I was even more proud of her because she did understand. We talked a lot about the divas and drama queens, and FirstKid talked about the moms, too. She and I don't have those special mother/daughter moments as often as we used to, now that she's on the verge on teenager-hood, but this was one of those times. She told me how glad she was that I was the kind of mom who supported her all the time and showed my pride whether she won or lost. I know my kid can dance, but even better, I know she knows what's important. My work here is done.
I have to admit that the girls were simply out of their league at this event. While they certainly did their best and they looked good to me, they were far behind the other schools' teams in technical ability, polish, and creativity in choreography. Out of all of the schools of dance participating, they were the only school which got no awards at all. From my parental perspective, it makes no difference to me at all whether they win anything or not. The experience of competing and of learning how dance competitions and conventions work is valuable and exciting; the experience itself is the reward. Apparently, however, I am somewhat alone in my opinion.
The kids were understandably disappointed about their lack of awards, but the moms - oh, the moms. Out of the bunch of moms from our group, I was clearly the only one who didn't care about the awards. The rest were divided into two groups: the ones who complained about the teachers, the school, and the competition itself, and the ones who were wildly angry and ranted about the teachers, the school, and the competition itself. That latter group scared me.
Jane (no real names used) has two daughters who dance. Her older one, Sally, is a very talented ballet dancer who "outgrew" our studio, and moved on to a studio where ballet is taken very, very seriously. Her younger one, Molly, finally "outgrew" our current studio, but for her, it was all about the fact that she wasn't winning competitions with her group. She felt that she was capable of more, and may be correct, but more to the point is that she was not satisfied with the girls in the troupe. They didn't "want it" as much as she did. Whether their dancing reflected it or not, I think Molly would have been happier with them if they had been willing to rant and rave and carry on as much as she did. (Of note is that Molly, while technically doing everything right, is not innately graceful.) More significant to me was that Jane was so upset by every aspect of the weekend. The teachers were pathetic, the routines were pathetic, the school's owner was pathetic... You get the point, I'm sure. The first thing out of her mouth when the girls came out of the awards ceremony (empty-handed) was a comment about their loss, not anything about how well they had done, their effort, etc. Jane ignited a whole box of fireworks of comments and conversations, none of which were healthy or helpful. It really bothered me that she would likely be a role model to some of these girls. I didn't want them to think that it was all about winning, but none of the other moms seemed to mind Jane's behavior.
On the way home, I had a talk with FirstKid. I told her how proud I was of her - of her focus, her commitment, her teamwork, her stamina, and most of all, of her smile which lit up the stage. I was very serious, and FirstKid knew that, but she replied to me, "But Mom, we didn't win anything. We stunk!" I said, "Did you do your best? Did you give it your all? Could you have done anything differently?" She understood, and I was even more proud of her because she did understand. We talked a lot about the divas and drama queens, and FirstKid talked about the moms, too. She and I don't have those special mother/daughter moments as often as we used to, now that she's on the verge on teenager-hood, but this was one of those times. She told me how glad she was that I was the kind of mom who supported her all the time and showed my pride whether she won or lost. I know my kid can dance, but even better, I know she knows what's important. My work here is done.
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