Friday, December 24, 2010

The World's Best Babysitter?

Wow! This week has gone past really quickly. When I did the post about Santa, he said there were 6 sleeps to Christmas. And now, just one more! My mother and I have spent this week doing a lot of cooking. We're having people over for lunch on Christmas day and have been doing some of the cooking ahead of time. Unfortunately, with Aaron and Adrian around, its ended up that most of the time, one person does the cooking and the other babysits. If we both need to be doing something in the kitchen, then we call in backup - my father.

Yesterday, we all went over to a friend's place to make the desserts. I was prepared for a tiring day of chasing either one of the boys around somebody else's house to make sure they didn't break anything. Instead, we had two still (and silent) boys. Hardly even knew they were there....



They're not smiling at the camera. Its the TV that they're both enthralled with! Most of the time, Aaron is allowed to watch one TV program a week and Adrian only watches his "Baby Can Read" dvds. TV is still very much a novelty to the both of them.

While the TV worked as a very effective babysitter yesterday, the experience actually re-inforced to me that I need to stick to my principles and keep TV to a minimum in our own house. And I've found that each time I've given in to an unscheduled request for TV at home, I'm just met with an endless stream of "Pleaaaase, can I watch a while more." for the rest of the day. I totally understand the attraction to the TV because I'm a bit of an addict myself. BUT, its not something that I want my little kids getting into the habit of.

Its ironic when all I want is some quiet in the house yet I definitely prefer to see them running around and making too much noise laughing than having only their eyes move in front of a TV. Anyway, its Christmas time, and I've always associated it with lots of noise and laughter.

Alright then, its the final day of shopping and cooking. Both boys are downstairs laughing and playing with a cardboard box. I think I'll go join them for awhile before heading out.

6 comments:

Bilbo said...

"...playing with a cardboard box" ... makes you wonder why we spend all that money on the toys, doesn't it? Have a wonderful Christmas, and give our best regards to Richard and your parents. Oh, and your card is on the way. Really...

B.

Mike said...

Ah the ol' cardbord box. Problem is you have to buy something to get one.

Christmas cards? I think we may start ours tomorrow.

John A Hill said...

Merry Christmas, Amanda!

The boys look great!

Jean-Luc Picard said...

Happy Christmas, Amanda!

NomadicExpat said...

Seriously, does Aaron hold Adrian that way all the time when both of them are sitting together or, did you ask him to?

They look absolutely adorable together. Very lucky you.

elizabeth embracing life said...

I applaud you in not allowing your boys to watch much TV. I am the same way and believe me it makes for a lot of involvement with my kids. It's tiring, and yet I see them playing. I see other parents amazed that they will not sit still in front of a TV because their own world of imaginations is more fun. I save it for those times when I really need a break and even then they often occupy themselves in other places. Great job mama.