TV Show

The taping for the TV show was today, unfortunately I couldn't go as I was in training sessions for my new job but Mark got to go (and my sister went to help as well) and told me all about it.

First thing was that I didn't realize how hard it would be to find 4 sets of clothing that met the requirements of no black, white, red, stripes, logos and were actually stain free! I'd pick up a shirt the I thought was ideal and they'd be a logo on the back or down the seam, those logos get everywhere. Then everything that was plain had old stains on it because Callum loves to get dirty and we don't really keep "Sunday best" type clothes.

The first show (and the only one we knew about before hand) activity was texture boxes. Sounded like big cardboard boxes with holes cut in, the kids put their arms through the holes to feel various toys and can pull the toys out to look at them. By the sound of it Callum was engrossed and was signing and everything. There were 4 kids in total but 2 of them spent most of their time hiding behind the sofa (it's a living room setting). They had a camera on each kid and Mark and Eleanor could watch it on TV or live on the set. No idea how much of Callum we'll see in the actual show but it sounds like he was really into it so hopefully we'll see a fair amount of him. After the first show finished taping they asked who was staying for the second show (they tape 2 a day) and Mark said no, but apparently they'd put Callum down for 2 shows so Mark stayed anyway.

The second show was on the subject of science and it was just Callum and a 4 1/2 year old little boy (the other kids didn't show up). They were playing with water (I can just picture Callum's eyes lighting up when he got to see those big containers of water). They were supposed to be measuring and pouring water from one jug to another, sucking water up into turkey baster type things and pouring it through filters. What Callum did was drink it and splash in it, sounds like he had great fun but I'm not sure how much of it they'll actually use in the show.

Got to go to my next training session, I'll write another update soon.

A little Update

Wow, things have been busy so just a little update on everyone

Me: I'm moving jobs. I'm staying with the same company but moving departments. Thursday is my transition day so I've been busy documenting, finishing off, throwing out, training, etc. For the first time in 5 years Mark and I wont be sharing an office, which will be exceedingly strange. Some people look at us like we're completely mad when they hear that we're together 24/7 but it works for us and we rarely get pissed off at each other. I really felt the need for a change though, time to get my brain working again.

Callum: Had great fun at our first ever Buddy Walk. He got to meet John C. McGinley, a congressman, Sylvia Lopez (who reads the news), plus lots and lots of kids and adults who said that he was cute. He's got his first ear infection of the winter, and we've also been told that his tonsils are looking really big so an operation to remove them may be coming up this winter. The large tonsils would possibly explain the disrupted sleep that he's been having recently and the 5am wake ups.

Kieran: Also has his first ear infection of the winter, only he managed to get it in both ears. He's also been on nebulizer treatments as his chest has been really tight and he was having to work really hard to breathe. Being sick hasn't stopped him though and he's been picking up new words all the time - Bye Bye, Uh-Oh, No, Ba-Ba (for drink - I have no idea where this comes from but both boys use it), Weeee, Cat. He's doing good at walking holding one hand but still doesn't quite want to let go, he loves rough & tumble though and using one of us as a human climbing frame is his favourite game. He's also getting 2 new molars at the moment (one on each side at the top), no wonder he screams at 4am and wants to come into our bed.

Visitors: we've got my mum, brother Will & Sister Eleanor staying with us at the moment. They've come to rescue us from interrupted sleep! They'll be looking after Callum & Kieran while Mark and I go off and sun ourselves on a Mexican beach.

Just Playing

I post on a 2 year old parenting board now and again and someone was complaining that their child's prospective preschool didn't seem to actually have formal educational time, they're" just playing" she said. It made me remember a poem that I've seen several times at my kids day care. Why are people obsessed with formal education for 2 and 3 year olds? It makes me so glad that the day care we chose is a learn through play type of environment. I guess this just goes back to my Why Does this Bother Me? post.

Just Playing
Author Unknown
When I'm building in the block area,
Please don't say I'm "Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play: about balance and shapes.
Who knows, I may be an architect someday.

When I'm getting all dressed up, setting the table, caring for the babies,
Don't get the idea I'm, "Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play
I may be a mother or a father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint, or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping the clay,
Please don't let me hear you say, "He's Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm expressing myself and being creative.I may be an artist or an inventor someday.

When you see me sitting in a chair "reading" to an imaginary audience,
Please don't laugh and think I'm "Just Playing."
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs, or packing my pockets with choice things I find,
Don't pass it off as "Just Playing."
For, you see, I 'm learning as I play.
I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle or some plaything at my school,
Please don't feel the time is wasted in "Play."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate.I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking to tasting foods,Please don't think that because I enjoy it, it is "Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to follow directions and see differences.I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run, and move my body,
Please don't say I'm "Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning how my body works.I may be a doctor, nurse, or an athlete someday.

When you ask me what I've done at school today, and I say, "I Just Played,"
Please don't misunderstand me.
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in my work, I'm preparing for tomorrow.
Today, I am a child and my work IS play

TV Studio, Here we Come

We got the call from KCET yesterday that they want Callum to be on their show. The episode will tape on November 29th but I'm not sure when it will air. The episode is called "Ages & Stages" and will be discussing kids aged 2 to 3, Callum will be taking part in a fun activity but we're not sure what it is yet.

I have all my instructions, bring several changes of clothing in case we need to do a wardrobe change, no solid red, white or black, no pinstripes (damn, he wont be able to wear his suit ;-) ), no logos and no copyrighted character clothes (e.g. Disney stuff). We have to be there at 7:30 in the morning, taping starts at 8:30 and goes for a max of 3 hours. Nap times around noon so hopefully he'll be full of beans and have lots of fun.

I'm hoping that they'll at least have a clip available on the website, but if not then I'm sure I'll find some way of sharing the moment with you all. I'm so excited, I can't stop grinning.