Skip to main content

Year Four, Day 111: LHOP

I had a wonderful morning with my granddaughter. I am trying an experiment. Zero television.  She is highly intelligent - already know the first 5 letters of the alphabet, and many colors, body parts, sign language and plays the piano with me (with curved fingers!)  I know, I am slightly prejudiced, being her Zma and all. But she is brilliant!

She also gets zoned out when watching t.v. We started watching Little House on the Prairie when she was just a baby - after Baby Einstein.  I wanted to watch wholesome television in her honor. So I actually checked out the pilot episode from the library when she was just a wee one. But she was interested right away! She began pointing and the screen and shrieking "dog" every time she saw Laura Ingalls' dog, Jack.  Now she identifies Ma, Pa, Laura, Jack and the horses (who she calls "Nay!".

I think our little family became a bit weary of Little House on the Prairie or "LHOP" as we fondly nicknamed it.  Personally, I can recite the whole pilot episode by heart - and I usually have poor memory!

So, she started watching kids shows on NetFlix.  We are still careful about what she watches. But she gets really agitated after too much television. Granted, it makes the lives of her Mama, Dada and Zma easier to let her watch tv with us, especially when we are tired (this child still doesn't sleep through the night!)

But I have noticed her acting frustrated and throwing a few tantrums. I just sense her brain and eyes are overstimulated from too much screen time (her pedicatritian did advise against television for babies  up through toddler years).

So this morning we did many activities. We read, colored, named ABC's, played the piano, went for a nature walk (we had several squirrel sightings which tickled her to no end!), made homemade tortillas and played hide and seek and "Boo!"

And I must say she was calmer and happier.

I think I may try to discontinue my television before bed habit. I feel like it helps me wind down and sleep, but it does contribute to odd dreams. And if Grace had such a positive experience from ditching the t.v., who knows what it will do for her Zma?

I will try!

I have to run now.

Happy Friday!

Love,

Zita

P.S. Below is Day 28 of daily hooping, with a wee QiGong breathing demo at the beginning.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 347: My Big Fat Greek Salad!!

I have perfected the art of making a Greek salad!  I have made two huge bowls in the last week. My kinds rave. Essentially the secret is f vegetables , good feta cheese, Greek olives and a homemade dressing made with light, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, red wine vinegar,  and oregano. Here is my recipe: MY BIG FAT GREEK SALAD Serves 4 hungry adults 4 cups greens (I used a "spring mix" from Fred Meyer) 2 cucumbers 6 roma tomatoes one small red onion 1 cup cubed feta cheese 1 cup Greek olives (pitted) Get out a big bowl. Peel a clove of garlic, cut in half and rub it over the interior of the bowl.  Wash the lettuce if it is not prewashed and packaged like mine was.  Dry the leaves, and tear into bite sized pieces. Throw into the big bowl. Note: Romaine lettuce is good to include in the mix, because it is hearty. Peel the cucumbers and dice. Add to bowl. Cut the roma tomatoes in half and squeeze out the seeds (otherwise they make th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Year Two, Day 307: Chasing Away The Gloomy Weather...with Music and a Smile! :)

It seems to me that most of the city is depressed, tired and sick. I still have my low grade snuffly nose, along with sneezing, and itching eyes.  Low energy. It is nice to know I am not the only one. Misery loves company, don't you know! Even through the gloom, I had an enjoyable day.  I told myself several times that I really am a lucky woman. My kids are grown, I'm going to be a GRANDMA, and I love my work. My church job is a nice secure little job and it seems I am quite needed there.  I am still learning the ropes. But I am enjoying it. Meeting new people. And best of all, I have only a 1 1/2 minute commute (by foot!). I have a cozy little room in a household full of wonderful laid back people.  People who love animals and music. But best of all, my afternoons are filled with music. I basically get on the bus and travel about town, sitting at pianos, visiting with students, who are like my family. We talk. They play the piano for me. I offer pointe...
Post a Comment
Read more

Year Three, Day 110: I Like Change, But How Do I Help the Suffering?

I woke up in a bit of a panic this morning. I had planned on getting to the track by 6:30 a.m., because I thought today was the first day of school. You see, the public is not allowed to use the track when school is in session. Understandably so. But alas, I overslept! I still headed out with my hoop, hoping it was before school hours at 7:30 a.m. And I breathed a sigh of relief. The school looked vacant. And only one solitary jogger with her solitary dog was present. I got busy in case the kids were due to arrive. Got a nice hoop workout in. No sign of children as I walked back to the house. So I did what I should have done in advance. I consulted Google. And most happy am I - North Clackamas School District does not start back to school until September 6th! Portland Public Schools start today. But the elementary school next door to the track lists "student hours" as 7:45 - 2:00 p.m. So I really am going to have to get an earlier start next week. I am aiming...
Post a Comment
Read more