A Decorative Winter

Urban Dad & I try hard to be conscientious about what and how much TV the Urban Kids consume. It's all but impossible to raise kids today without plugging into the Massive Marketing Machine of Life. But we try to be careful about how far we get pulled in and in what direction. And with it being wintertime, and this past December and January being particularly snowy and sub-zero, we've resigned ourselves to using the Electronic Babysitter a bit more often.

For example, not a day goes by without this crew:

And we cross paths with this crew several times a week, too:

And even this guy pops into our living room now and then, although the episode about "The Hounds of Baskerville" creeped out U-Kid 1, thus stalling her desire for more: (personally, I love the retro hair and clothes)
You see, while I can't stand Winter and carefully watch for signs of Spring, U-Dad is great about the cold weather. He's the dad that bundles up the kids and throws them outside, taking them out to help shovel the sidewalk, build a snowman, walk to the coffee shop for a chocolate chip cookie and milk.....

But this winter has been different, what with his (stupid) knee situation. So more indoor time. More football watching. And what else can one watch with the kids on a long Saturday and/or Sunday afternoon?

Never let someone tell you that TV doesn't affect children..........

U-Kid 1 now recognizes her

him

and her

and him.

And she will argue passionately when watching this,

making statement such as, "oh, those floors are awful! they're too orange! don't choose that house!"

She now is determined that she will be a decorator and has assured her parents and grandmother that she when she grows up she will gladly decorate our homes for the whoppingly bargain price of $1.00.

She re-arranges blankets and pictures and toys and books in her room, draping necklaces here and there and creating all-important "storage." Then she'll excitedly come get the nearest adult to come in for The Big Reveal, where she will carefully explain each change and how it's an improvement for said snagged adult.

Oh, and she wants a sidetable for her birthday (which isn't until September).

Luckily, her Godmother is a licensed decorator. And licensed decorators are allowed to enter and shop in The Merchandise Mart.

So we figure that we'll go with this Winter of HGTV and see if perhaps U-Kid 1 can tag along for a shopping trip "playdate" sometime in the near future. We're pretty sure that it'll blow her sweet little mind.

Maybe she'll pick up a sidetable, too?