Curious George and the Make-your-own Metal Detector

My oldest is home with the sniffles, so today will probably be filled with coloring, reading and PBS.

While flipping channels for an early show, we found an episode of Curious George. I won’t go into detail as to why we don’t normally watch this show, it might take too long, but I will say we were surprised by what we saw.

George lost his toy robot in the sand and a scientist friend of the man in the yellow hat helped. She suggested they make a metal detector out of stuff you can find at home. I’m part geek, so watching it work was super cool.

Here’s what she suggested:

Find an AM/FM radio. Does anyone still own one? Yeah right, we do. Psst, I think you can find them at Radio Shack.

Get a handheld calculator and some tape too.

Tune the radio to AM. Turn the dial to the highest channel and make sure you hear only static.

Tape the calculator to the back of the radio and voilá, a metal detector (read it with French flair). It beeps when it gets near something metal.

We haven’t tried this, but you can bet we will as soon as I find our radio, wherever it’s hiding. Since I love this stuff so much, thanks to my mom, teachers and husband, we’ll have a series of experiments you can read in upcoming blogs. You won’t have to be a scientist to understand them, I hope, and they should be easy enough to try with your kids if you choose. I’m tagging them Mom’s Mad Science or something catchy like that.

Too sweet for words...

I now present...Swiffer Bubbles

The unseasonably warm weather has brought some areas early buds and blooms. Around here, if it's above freezing, my kids want bubbles. 

I managed to find a multi-pack of bubbles on a recent hula-hoop run. But, didn’t realize until we went outside one warm day, they didn’t have the sticks in them. What’s a parent to do?

Well, I’m nothing if not resourceful. So, I did a quick scan and found the tool I thought could handle the job. A Swiffer. Yes, you read it right. I grabbed the duster and turned that thing into a bubble-making machine!  

Here’s a quick clip of us making Swiffer Bubbles.

So long, sirloin, Ta ta, tilapia (Stuff moms worry about)

I’m dreading the talk. You know, the one where you explain to your children that you not only use your purchasing power to support the slaughter of countless chicks, cows, even fish, but you also cook and serve them to their hungry mouths every day and night. Grinning about how great they taste.

Hey, I never got a talk or a choice. We ate what we had. Maybe it was because of the economy, or because we lived near the family farm and granddad probably would have scowled or laughed at all this vegan talk. I don’t know. So why am I making such a big deal about it? Because, I can see the gears turning. Connections are going to be made between favorite animal characters and what we eat.

A few weeks ago while watching a cooking show, my kid noticed the hosts say they would be making lamb. I’ve been thinking about this, but it became clear I’m not the only one when my kid looked questioningly at me and said, “That’s silly, they aren’t going to make lamb?” My articulate response was, “They’re cooking stuff you can eat,” and I quickly changed it to a kid-friendly channel.

What the heck am I supposed to do? Every meal we get asked that complicated question, “What’s for dinner?” Only this time, or sometime soon, our oldest is really going to want to know, “What, or rather, what animal are you feeding me?” I can’t take it!

What do I say to a child who doesn’t grasp the concept of lean proteins and brain building fats? “Um, well, tonight we’ve got Elsie-the-cow-burger, rack-of-Mary’s Little Lamb or Nemo-the-fish-stick. Your choice, sweetie,” I could say, smiling politely.

So, I’ve decided we’re going vegetarian. At least, I’m looking into it. Milking a cow for butter, I can explain. Butchering one’s a different story. Don’t even get me started on eggs.

Which leads me to the question, “What do vegetarians live on?” I’ve heard bread, vegetables and beans. But have you seen, or smelled what a person on a bean diet does? I gave up red meat, and most chicken once in high school. It wasn’t pretty.

Now, I know there are lots of meatless options out there, but where do I start? Can you grow a healthy kid on sprouts and tofu? Are they happy?

What should I do about my husband? I think telling him we’re cutting out the turkey cold turkey could start WWIII in our house. Should he keep eating any animal he wants? That just wouldn’t be fair. Mostly to me.

On second thought, as parents we’re already on the hook for countless creatures we’ve already consumed. Plus, how the heck are we supposed to bake cookies and cakes without eggs? Kids would definitely not want to give those up. Maybe we can bribe them with baked goods and convince them our way of life is acceptable, although I’m starting to wonder.

Does it even count that we usually buy humanely raised meats? It almost sounds oxymoronic raising them humanely only to have them end up baked, broiled and fried.

Maybe things would be better if we just stop calling our food by name. Can we be a little less obvious? You don’t normally say, “Wow, honey, that was some tasty cow,” right? So why not rename the other animals we eat? Let’s call it re-branding. I’m sure the marketers would get on board for this.

We could go with something like cheech for chicken, “Who wants some fried cheech?” We could change fish to fizz. Everyone loves a good fizz. How about turkey? What should we call that? Maybe, Tofurkey? Nah, that’s already taken. You get the idea, though. If we re-brand the meats, maybe it wouldn’t be such a big deal.

Seriously though, my family really enjoys cooking and eating good food, meat included. But, if I’m starting to wonder about some of our choices, shouldn’t I expect my kids to question them too? I can make small changes, but everyone should be included if it’s going to involve a lifestyle change. We’ll just have to wait until we’re ready for the discussion and see where it takes us.

Vegetables are our friends

Sometimes you're the windshield...

Sometimes you're the baby giraffe run over by the two-ton baby hauler. 

Still smiling :)

Are you a Twi-hard, a Hunger-ling or both?

I have to say that I’ve been meaning to comment on the Hunger Games movie that debuted a few days ago, but I’ve been busy entertaining family. Or, they’ve been entertaining me, not sure, maybe a little of both.

Since comparisons are being made, it’s about time to speak up.

What did I want to say about the Hunger Games movie? Go. See. It. Not because I previewed it or will have time to see it before it hits the dollar theater, although I’ve talked about it at least ten times a day for the past week. I think it’s worth seeing because (IMO) the movie is based on a really great book. Suzanne Collins crafts this dystopian society where children, a boy and a girl, from 12 districts outside of the opulent and controlling Capitol are selected each year to fight to the death in the Hunger Games. It’s interesting, it’s political, it’s gut wrenching and it’s good. That’s all I will say, you should read it then see the movie, especially if you like a little more sci-fi.

I also wanted to say there are a few important changes that might irk some Hunger-lings. In an Entertainment Weekly (EW) story I read recently (and found more online), it sounded like the moviemakers were trying to convince themselves as much as the public that the story changes and cuts they made were crucial to keeping the movie at an acceptable length and budget.

Today, I saw a twitter post from EW outlining more differences between the book and movie. The author also gave an opinion of what worked and what didn’t. It’s good, but subjective, so if you’re interested you can check it out.

Now, I liked the Twilight saga too. I read a lot and since I spend most days neck deep in diapers and drool, any romance, action or departure from reality, between the hours of midnight and 3 am when I finally get some me-time, is a welcome escape. I don’t think you need to compare them, but go ahead if you want, USA Today does. Three main characters, a female and two suitors, sure. But, beyond that, I say enjoy them for what they are, stories.

If you are a fan of both, plan to be busy this Thanksgiving holiday and next. Twi-hards can see the final installment of the series when Breaking Dawn Part 2 hits theaters this Nov. 16. And Hunger-lings will be hungry waiting until Nov. 22, 2013, for the second story in the Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire.

Sexy and I Know It

Apparently, everyone from Ricky Martin and the Glee cast to my 9yo cousin has got the moves.

When I saw my baby cousin donning a colorful clown wig dancing to “Sexy and I Know It” I felt, well, a little old.

The last time I remember being able to bust a move like that was when people still said things like bust a move. At least it feels that way. And the last time I remember going out dancing escapes me. Probably because it was before our first kid came along. Gosh, has it really been that long?

When I was in my twenties, and even before that, I'd go out with my girlfriends. Then I’d go occasionally with my husband and a bunch of other crazy young professionals, but even then, the ladies were the ones who really wanted to dance, the guys seemed to spend a lot of time talking and drinking.

I still enjoy dancing, it just happens less often in Da Club and more often in my living room. Where I rock out with the kiddos to the beat of Baby Einstein and modern groups covering classics such as “Wheels on the Bus.”

We do play lots of other music in our home like Blues, Jazz, and classics from the 80s & 90s, although, I have a hard time considering any of these songs classics, er, oldies, but a few of them are playing on those stations. And I have to believe watching a mom and dad doing the Running Man must look ridiculous. I was a kid once, and I’m fairly sure that blank stares and eye rolls mean it's not cool.

So we try to keep it G-rated until after the kids are in bed. Then, anything goes. Often you’ll hear us bringin’ da noise when we stand up and sit down (creak and groan). Sometimes it’s fun to see who can do the ‘fall asleep’ move faster. Good times.

Really though, I should get my mom friends together and see if we can go out on the town. Although, what kind of dance moves should I practice before we hit the club? I found these dance moves from the cast of Jersey Shore, but I’m not sure anyone should be taking style advice from these guys. On second thought, maybe I’ll stick with the electric slide. :)