Sunday, March 10, 2013

Tom Hanks, I Love You, Now Leave


Anyone who has kids has been through the “phases”.  You know the Thomas phase, the Dora phase, The Curious George phase, The Power Rangers phase and the list goes on and on.  Every time you come out of one phase you welcome the next one. Oh thank god he’s over Thomas if I had to listen to one more minute of school kids singing about a train I was going to jump in front of one.  Then you get into the next phase and you quickly find yourself hating that one just as much if not more.  There were times my husband and I would talk about ways we would off Dora. Oh I would just push her from that cliff or oh I hope that damn monkey turns on her one day.  Don’t even get me started on the fact that she’s wearing a belly shirt.

The world of television and movies is so different from when I was a kid. When I was growing up my parents watched the news before dinner. There weren’t any kid shows offered. There was no such thing as a DVR where I could record, pause, fast forward and (cringe) rewind my favorite line from my favorite show a million times. No sir. If I had to pee I missed 3 minutes of the show, if we were going somewhere I missed the end of the show plain and simple. 

My kids live in a world of watching their favorite show ad nauseam.  My youngest is slightly (fatal attraction) obsessed with the Toy Story Trilogy. To be honest it didn’t bother me at first, not one bit. My oldest liked the movies but had really only seen them a handful of times. We have all three. My youngest has both Buzz and Woody who he can often be found dragging around the house. He also has every other character in the movie.  He wants to watch it on a rainy day, a snowy day, a sunny day, a sick day…ok so pretty much every damn day.  His favorite character is Woody, which I get, Tom Hanks makes that character loveable in every way and I happen to be a big Tom Hanks fan. However this was getting to be a bit much.  I started to hear his voice in my sleep.  I would see other people’s mouths moving but I would hear Tom Hanks speaking.

Finally we seemed to catch a break for a little while.  Then as luck would have it one of my all-time favorite movies was on…during a snow storm nonetheless!  BIG. That’s right the 1988 movie BIG, with, well yes with Woody  Tom Hanks.  I had the brilliant idea to record it on the DVR as we sat down and watched it as a family. My husband and I were both excited to watch a movie that we liked, with the kids.  That was 1 month ago. We have since watched (or had on in the background) BIG 487 times.  My toddler wakes up in the morning walks into the family room and says Mommy Big? It was the cutest thing the first 97 (ok 3) times but it has gotten beyond old.  I could win a trivia contest on this movie hands down (let me know if you hear of one I’m so in!) I know that his first paycheck is for exactly $187.30. My preschooler isn’t any better.  Guys what do you want to watch while I make dinner? Him: I think BIG mom.  YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME?!

Here’s the thing Tom Hanks. I like you I really do but if we move on from this to Forest Gump or Cast Away I am going to run until I find a ship that will take me to an island where I can talk to volleyball for a very long time.
 

17 comments:

  1. I can't help but laugh. My son's first obsession was with Peter Jennings on the national news. It was before my son could even talk, but when the opening music came on he came running. Worst thing: when he was old enough to have told us what the heck that was all about, he had long ago moved on and couldn't remember it. Now we'll never know. . .
    Oh, and remind me NOT to tell you about the skateboarding years. . . and the stitches. . .

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    1. That is too funny! Must be something in certain voices. No don't tell me about the stitches I like to live on the edge of surprise & I'm sure I have plenty in my future. ;)

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  2. Your first post was touching and heartwarming -- so it seem fitting that we now move on to laughter as a parent! While I love Kenny Loggins -- if I never hear him sing a lullaby again I will be a happy person. Your parenting thoughts completely reflect mine, love it!

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    1. Too funny! I guess we all have our very own Tom Hanks in our house, yours happens to be Kenny Loggins. :)

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  3. Luckily we haven't had many obsessions here. My daughter loved Molly and the big comfy couch but so did I. As they've grown their favorite things to watch are often what we like to watch. Hang in there, as they grow they become less obsessed with one show.

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    1. Happy to know there is light at the end of the tunnel. :)

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  4. Everytime Dora asks a question, I want to punch her for looking at me, waiting for an answer. "B*tch, you know where the castle is, it's that big thing over the bridge" (Things I have said outloud.)

    Great post Jenn. Keep'em coming

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    1. Thanks Dave! Been following Superman's Mommy...sounds like Mommy is a superhero in her own right.

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  5. Ick.... We have days where I won't allow the tv on at all, not as a punishment but because we just need a break! I made the mistake of showing my kids home alone, I feel your pain lady... The cable company should make a reverse parental control where all annoying shows are blocked or locked after a certain amout of viewing occurs

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    1. Ha Home Alone...we were there this entire holiday season! I'm with you on the not allowing the tv on. My kids are actually pretty good about it but when it comes time for me to make dinner it's the only way I can get it done without causing a fire. :)

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  6. Dora... sigh... she is quite a thick little girl to be wearing belly shirts... now maybe if she stayed away from that chocolate tree she might be able to pull it off... but in all seriousness, Sponge Bob is my nightmare... My HUSBAND will watch that horrific idea of good television when the kids are GONE even! :/

    -Queen Mommy
    Visiting from the Don't Be a Bloghole Blog Hop!
    www.mt2sm.blogspot.com

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    1. AHHHH Sponge Bob you poor thing! Maybe being Amish isn't such a bad idea. ;)

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  7. So cute and funny. My son went through a long, VERY long, Blue's Clues stage. Except it was Bwoos Cwoos. He even had Steve's shirt. And, oddly enough, he was in love with N'Sync at the age of 2 !! We had a video cassette that he watched over and over and over again and of course I had to BUY bandanas so he could be Justin Timberlake. Oy vey!!

    But I can't say much. I watched the Twilight DVD's over and over and over again. Of course, I was drinking wine. And in my bedroom so as not to subject the other family members!!

    Cute post!! Visiting from the Don't Be a Bloghole Blog Hop!
    Penny from Green Moms and Kids
    http://greenmomsandkids.wordpress.com

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    1. Penny we were soooo in the Blues Clues phase at one point too. The N'Sync phase...now that's funny!

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  8. Oh, I feel you! Our oldest is 6, and we have been through it ALL with her. I actually just wrote a post recently about the fact that I was sad about the end of the princess phase, in spite of the fact that I complained bitterly about it when it started. It's funny how your perspective changes whenever you END a phrase, and think, "Oh, that wasn't so bad!" ;)

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    1. I will trade you some princess time for superheroville. ;) We are so lacking in the girly department over here.

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  9. I feel your pain but it passes I promise, and then you'll miss it so much...
    Thanks for linking up to the Hump Day Hook Up.

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