The Zoe and Silas Show

Another large media outlet is doing a story about a study we have been doing in Romania since the late 1990s. They wanted to film kids of similar ages to the ones we have tested in Bucharest, so Derek and I brought S&Z into the lab this morning. It was a toss-up about who would be filmed to fit the 3-year-old bill for the story. I originally thought Silas would be more agreeable, but after a week of being sick he informed me a few nights ago that he didn't want to wear the silly science hat because it makes his hair too messy. Zoe stepped right up this morning and did AWESOME. Unfortunately we were so focused on the filming that we didn't get any new photos of her wearing the hat. After Zoe finished up of course Silas decided that he also wanted to wear the hat. No wonder S&Z love coming to Mommy's work. They get to hang out with lovely ladies like Auntie Nessa and Geneva, And they get special treats for being great cooperators. I w...

S&Z typically watch between 20 and 45 minutes of television per day. After basically never having the TV on between 3 and 18 months, we now use it strategically (i.e., while we make meals, clean up, or as a special treat before bed) and in moderation. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that kids over 2 years don't watch more than 1 hour per day, so that is the max limit we try to stick with. During the week they tend to watch PBS with Derek, including shows like "Super Why", "Cat in the Hat", and of course "Sesame Street". We have NetFlix streaming, so we also have a few favorite shows that they tend to watch with me on the weekends. The typical weekend playlist includes "Curious George", "Blue's Clues", and "Yo Gabba Gabba". They have recently started dancing and singing the Blue's Clues song. It is so darn cute that I needed to get it on video!

After seeing an amazing and disturbing documentary about kids and the media , Derek and I agreed many moons ago to avoid mindlessly having the TV turned on when S&Z are around. Sure, they occasionally see the weather or a sporting event, but 99% of their lives right now don't involve television. We have reserved things like Sesame Street for times of desperation , or when we're in dire need of distraction . Today I was waiting to talk with Tracy on skype, and I had made the mistake of pulling the computer out to our designated skype spot before she was ready. I could either endure a fit, or turn on a little "Elmo's Song" on youtube. It had been that kind of day, so I opted for the latter; a sanity-saving technique. As you can see by the looks on their faces, it's officially crack for toddlers.