Sense

Aargh! It's 4:30 already! Today flew by. I have a picture of Brevin and Kayle I'd like to use from Thanksgiving so if I don't get that picture tomorrow, I'll just find something else to use when I give you our Thanksgiving recap. But in the meantime, I'll leave you with a picture that doesn't make any sense, I just thought it was funny.

—b

BEing Snowed

(Click for full size)

Since I was off last Wednesday and this Monday, I have to catch up on a few things so I didn't get to give you our Thanksgiving recap. But as an attempt at a consolation, I updated the BEing Designed background (although I think it's too busy but it's only temporary so I won't worry about it now). If you like, you can also download it as a desktop picture for your computer.

See ya tomorrow!

—b

Adults-Only Sesame Street?

“These early ‘Sesame Street’ episodes are intended for grown-ups, and may not suit the needs of today’s preschool child.”

I realize I have been on a media-suitable-for-Brevin-kick but this is one I would have blogged about even if I wasn't a new dad. As reported by the New York Times, the first volume of Sesame Street is "intended for grown-ups". (You can read the complete article here.)

What?

Yes this is the same Sesame Street that had Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and Bert and Ernie. I know that the Muppet Show was initially more popular with adults due to it's guest stars and humor that only adults would appreciate (not adults only humor either). But this is Sesame Street! You know, the program that was brought to you by the letter "M" and by the number "8". The one where we sing a song about cookie starting with the letter "C". The same one where the two headed monster sounds out "truck". And even the same Sesame Street where we got to learn that "one of these things is not like the other". That Sesame Street is not suitable for "today's preschool child".

Hmmm...ok. So what about the original episodes of Sesame Street is "not suitable"? Here are some answers according to Carol-Lynn Parente, the executive producer of “Sesame Street”.

Oscar the Grouch:

• He is "chronically mood-disordered." “We might not be able to create a character like Oscar now”.

Monsterpiece Theater:

• Alistair Cookie and the parody “Monsterpiece Theater.” Alistair Cookie, played by Cookie Monster, used to appear with a pipe, which he later gobbled. “That modeled the wrong behavior” — smoking, eating pipes — “so we reshot those scenes without the pipe, and then we dropped the parody altogether.”

Snuffleupagus:

• Only Big Bird could see him until 1985. "Big Bird’s old protestations that he was not hallucinating came to seem a little creepy."

Cookie Monster:

• "...in the early seasons he comes across a Child’s First Addict."

...and finally...


Rural Environments:

• In spite of the show’s devotion to its “target child,” the “4-year-old inner-city black youngster”, the first episodes join kids cavorting in amber waves of grain — black children, mostly, who must be pressed into service as the face of America’s farms uniquely on “Sesame Street.”

In looking for this warning label, I checked out a couple websites to hopefully see a picture of it. When I got to Wal•Mart's website, I was surprised to see that you have to be at least 17 years or older to purchase Volume 1! You would think a DVD they are selling in the "Preschool" section of their website, Wal•Mart would know it wasn't selling "Mature" content.


Wow. I'm glad I found out about this before subjecting Brevin to this kind of tomfoolery. I wonder if I suffered any lasting, oppressive repercussions from having been force fed that show? Hmmm...oh well. I guess I'll never know. ;)

—b

By the way, this post was brought to you by the letter "E" and by the number "4". And because I feel sorry for Cookie Monster due to his bad rap, here he his singing "C" is for Cookie! (Kids, get your parents permission before pushing "play".)

Mom Appreciation Saturday

How you doin'?

This past weekend reinforced my appreciation of Erin (and all mothers for that matter) when it comes to taking care of young kids. I have told Erin in the past I don't understand how she is able to accomplish anything with Brevin around; let alone when she is babysitting.

Saturday Erin got a haircut so it was just us boys and Bella hanging out that morning. Erin has him on a pretty good schedule so I knew he would be tired and go down for a nap. But I was hoping to be productive during that time. But of course Brevin had other ideas in mind.

We are traditionally safe to put him down 15-30 minutes after he is asleep. Saturday was the exception to the rule. So instead of picking up a few things around the house or doing dishes, Brevin, Bella, and I sat in the recliner watching Tora! Tora! Tora! (It was the first time I had seen the classic flik and I was impressed.) I should say, Brevin and Bella took naps while I lost feeling in my left arm and right leg as they were being used for beds.

When Erin got home, it was time for Brevin to eat and me to take a shower. My "freedom" was short lived though as Erin got a much needed girls night out with some friends from church. I knew the night would be the same as the morning being Brevin's fussy time is typically the time I usually come from work.

He proved consistent. He didn't really want to play all that long and I could tell he was getting tired. So I held him till he fell asleep and waiting for my magic window of time before trying to put him down. Sure enough, his attention alarm went off as soon as I laid him down. This time we watched the Robert Zemeckis/Steven Spielberg animated film, Monster House. (Which, by the way, is a movie I'd make Brevin wait til he's older to see. Definitely not a movie for younger kids.) Thankfully by the time Erin got home, Brevin was out and I could have had a lightsaber battle with my imaginary friend right there in the living room and he wouldn't even known.

Having said all that, my main point was my first one, this weekend really made me appreciate the mom's of the world. What a gift God has given to Erin and others. While Brevin is still at this stage, I'll do my best to enjoy the time I get to spend holding him, but at the same time, I'm anxiously awaiting our future lightsaber battles together. Besides, my imaginary friend Alessandro doesn't really put up much of a fight. ;)

—b

Technology & Brevin

Click the image to see it larger

Just recently I vented my frustrations concerning "technology". But there are definitely some advantages. Take for instance video chat (the picture above). I love the fact that I can talk with Erin and actually see her as well. It's fun also to see Brevin looking intently at the screen in front of him. It makes me miss them all the more while at work.

I could pull up a soap box and rant at how things have been changing even since I was younger. But I'll spare you the obvious conclusions and just say how Erin and I have already talked about monitoring what Brevin sees and plays with as a high priority. Whether it's TV, video games, or even the content on his future cell phone, we will be the mean old parents making sure nothing is on there that will be a temptation for him.

Yes I realize I'm probably coming off as the new parent who has delusions of grandeur when it comes to parenting, but this particular issue is dear to my heart so it is one that won't be going away anytime soon.

—b

A "Low Key" Family Visit

Grandpa Johnson had no problems entertaining Brevin.

This past weekend, grandpa and grandma Johnson came to visit. Thankfully it was a pretty low key weekend.

Saturday consisted of a hair cut for me, a nap for grandpa Johnson, the Gopher basketball game for J-Bone, and a good Michigan vs. Wisconsin college football game for us all. Meanwhile, Erin and grandma Johnson headed out to Cantebury Park for some horse racing. (Just kidding.) They did go to Cantebury Park but there was a huge craft show that helped us make a dent in our Christmas gifts for family.

Sunday morning, Erin dawned her Brett Favre jersey while I represented the Vikings in grandpa Eidsmoe's Chris Carter jersey. As for our son...he was politically correct. He had a Vikings onesie and a Packer bib on, topped off with one sock of each team. We all looked like a fun family but we didn't get a picture taken since the Vikings must have had a high school team show up in their place and I took it personally when they lost. (God has been working with me in this area.)

Anyway it was a fun and, like I said earlier, a low key weekend. With the holidays coming up, it will be a weekend we longingly look back on and say "Remember when..?"

—b

A follow up story concerning my interpretation of the word "cereal".

Last night, Erin asked me if I told her dad that Brevin would be eating Cheerios at 4 months. I answered in the affirmative and said "Well our pediatrician said Brevin would be eating cereal at 4 months." Erin burst out laughing and explained the meaning of cereal wasn't "cold" cereal, but the mushy kind of cereal.

"Ohhh...that kind of cereal."

When she asked me how I thought Brevin was going to eat Cheerios without any teeth, I told her I just thought for as much as he's drooling, the Cheerios would basically dissolve in his mouth and he wouldn't need to chew them. She continued to laugh and thanked me for it.

I learned two things last night. 1. Brevin will not be eating Cheerios or any other General Mills product anytime soon and 2. Though I will always have a lot to learn when it comes to taking care of Brevin, at least Erin can enjoy my learning process.

Silent Recycling

What do you notice about this picture?

• There are 5 Coke products and 1 Pepsi?
  —No, but you are very observant.

• All the cans are facing the same direction?
  —Your getting warmer.

• If you said the cans are organized, you are correct.
  —But why blog about it?

The story behind the picture: I had just come home from work and was mulling around the kitchen looking for something to eat. When I looked down to see what was in the bag I was tip-toeing around, this is what I saw. Six empty pop cans, all facing the same direction, ready to be taken out to recycling.

Did Erin get bored and decide to have fun with recycling?

When I asked her about it, she said Brevin had fallen asleep in his swing and she wanted to get some house cleaning done. But because our son had just fallen asleep, she knew it wouldn't take much for him to wake up. So cleaning became a chore. (Ha! I bet you didn't see that pun coming.) ;) When she got to putting away the pop cans, she couldn't just throw them in the bag. And if she were to just gently put them in without any order, they would rattle and it wouldn't make any difference how gently she put them in the bag. Her only solution, creating a base for the bag so when she picked it up, the cans would remain silent and sturdy.

Funny, yet ingenious. Ah the things we do accommodate a sleeping baby.

Enjoy your weekend!

—b

"I Love Technology"

"...I love technology. But not as much as you, you see. But I still love technology. Always and forever..."

Good ol' Kip, the loveable dork from Napoleon Dynamite. As much as Kip loves technology enough to sing his "song" to his wife at their wedding, I on the other hand, am finding it to be a nemesis.

Yesterday I mentioned it was a tough day. Can you guess the reason? Huh...? Speak up, it's OK. I won't tell anyone you're answering me audibly. THAT'S RIGHT, TECHNOLOGY! Very good. I'm so proud of you! Even with a "new" laptop, an upgraded internet connection, and better software, I was getting frustrated how inconveinient "better" was. Make sense? We (Steve and I) were supposedly making headway, albeit ever so slowly, but progress nonetheless. Then Monday hits. OWIE!

Being that my emotions are often louder than my t-shirts, people couldn't help but notice. (Sorry everyone.) I did all I could to fix/help the situation but there were some issues that were outta my Minor League pay grade.

Thankfully God's grace is new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-24). In settling down to spend some time with Him before work, I prayed as I always do before reading His word, that the Holy Spirit would reveal what He wanted to me and that I'd have ears to hear. (Any non-Christi followers are now lost due to my use of "Christianese".) Translation: I'd learn something new and follow it.

I'm in Luke chapter 10 right now (Yes, even though I haven't posted my daily devotion since...well...the blog archives know, I'm still spending regular time with my heavenly Father.) and this mornings reading was the story of Jesus sending out 70 of His followers "to every city and place where He Himself was going to to come" (10:1). Jesus told them to take no money, bag, or extra shoes (10:4). They were to go relying on God the Father to provide for their needs.

You would have thought having no supplies would hurt their ministry. They'd have to worry about finding food, a place to sleep, and even the weather. But the 70 people obeyed. (At least they didn't have to worry about being robbed. They didn't have anything to steal!)

Upon returning from their mission trips, you would have thought the results were less than satisfactory due to lack of supplies. They could have probably been more productive with at least some money. But the results were completely opposite! "The seventy returned with joy, saying 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.'" (10:17)

Jesus goes on to encourage them but brings them back to the big picture by telling them, "Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven." (10:20)

They weren't to rejoice in the power Jesus had temporarily given them (even though it was good and used for God's glory) they were to rejoice in what was truly important, eternal life with God! THE BIG PICTURE!

Takeaway

To often I become frustrated because I feel my resources are inadequate. My computer is too slow, email isn't working properly, or just plain lack of funds. But I need to to step back and look at the big picture. Will the Good News of Jesus Christ not be spread because my email isn't working properly? Ha! God always has control even though I'd like to think I do as well.

Does that mean I won't do my best and use all my resources to fix the problem? Of course not. But I need to work on remembering to keep what's important, what's important.

—b

Ummm...?

It was a tough day today so what better way to end a not fun day with some fun!?! Work purchased a refurbished (like new) MacBook for me and it has a camera installed with it. I'll have to try my hand at a video blog one of these days.

If you want to see more of me being stupid, click here.

—b

Oh yea, I also asked a new question on my poll. "When do you start listening to Christmas music?"

Introducing Evelyn Grace!

Congratulations to my cousin Jason and his wife Kelly on the birth of Evelyn Grace Sykora! She was born Sunday morning at 10:00 and weighed 8 lbs. 2 oz. They have already given her the nickname of Evie.

We can't wait to meet her!

—b

Giraffes, Lady Bugs, and Baby Cows. Oh My!

On Thursday night, Erin, Brevin, and I spent the evening at Hiawatha church's Fall Festival. It was set up as a outreach to the community where parents could come with their kids in costume, play some games, win some candy, and hear a Bible story.

There was a costume contest according to age group that both Brevin and I entered. There was giraffes, wizards, hippies, lady bugs, and army guys to name a few. Brevin went as a baby cow and I was some guy from the 70s. (Erin went as a mom.) Brevin lost to a baby Yoda. And I lost out to Zam Wesesl (another Star Wars character.)

By the end of 2.5 hours, there must have been over 50 parents and kids and some of those were fresh faces. Hopefully we'll see them again come Sunday morning.

Anyway, I wanted to post this yesterday but Erin was going to post some of those pictures on her Facebook profile and I wanted to wait 'til she uploaded them. To see those pics, click here. For those of you who don't want to follow the link SHAME ON YOU! (Just kidding.) Let me start again. For those of you who don't want to follow the link, below is what I looked like dressed up.


Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

—b