where's Nick Jr.?

So, my fellow mom friends + anyone who watches cartoons ... have you seen the change in programming on Nickelodeon? Or noticed that your Noggin is now Nick Jr? Or wondered why the little Nick Jr. icon at the bottom of your screen now just says 'Nick?'

I was bummed and confused to find out the news this week. Nick Jr. is now Noggin, and I have discovered that unless we upgrade our already overpriced cable package, we won't be seeing all of our Nick Jr. tv shows. (Our current expensive-as-hell/still-don't-get-everything-we-want package only includes the basic Nickelodeon channel, not its other networks ... Noggin/now Nick Jr., TeenNick, NickToons.) Our favorite 'old' Nick Jr. shows, like Yo Gabba Gabba, Wonder Pets and others are replaced by eight zillion hours of SpongeBob, three hours of Dora and Diego, with a half hour each of Backyardigans and Ni Hao Kai Lan (thank goodness) thrown in. Although I'm all for Dora and Diego teaching us a little Spanish, there is only so much of them that I can take. If you read Dooce, you know that nobody has explained the Dora thing better.

Anyway, I'm not arguing that the switch doesn't make sense, because it does. Nickelodeon is re-branding and making a clearer separation of their networks – I understand that TeenNick would do great on its own without the kiddie shows. And I love that Noggin has always had 24 hours of shows for preschoolers, allowing parents like me to flip on an age-appropriate show at any time of the day or night. (I'm just upset that this network isn't offered as part of our extended cable package and that most of our Nick Jr. shows will be gone.) Noggin lovers are a bit upset over the change as well – a lot of kiddos and parents love the Noggin 'goodbye song' and it just won't be the same after the name change.

I'd like to make it clear that I don't shove my kid in front of the tv all day, although it may seem like I do from what you've read here. We do normal things. We play outside, go to playdates, read books, do crafts, paint and color, and learn from the activities that we do in our day-to-day life. I also think that part of our 'normal' includes age-appropriate, educational tv shows which provides my two-year-old with exposure to numbers, shapes, colors, the alphabet, and different languages. Obviously, everyone has different feelings about how much is too much but I personally think that none at all would have limited some of the things my child has learned. I really do appreciate the high quality level of children's programming that is available to us, and maybe that's why I was passionate enough to take time to write this.

Anyway, I remember being a new mom and wading through the current public television/Nick/Disney shows to weed out our favorites. Here's a run-down of what you'll find if you're a newish mom or grandma, too.

Charlie and Lola is pretty much the most adorable show ever. Our whole family is in love with these imaginative siblings (and their lovely British accents.) The whole show is very artistically done with backgrounds full of fabric and texture. They paint a really accurate picture of how your kids see the world and their relationships with each other. Big thumbs up for Charlie and Lola.

The music is the best part of the Backyardigans – these little guys sing some pretty amazing numbers to accompany their imaginary adventures. For some reason, we tend to get a little bored with the story lines but the Backyardigans may just be a tad bit over my 2.5 year-old's head.

Special Agent Oso is a new favorite. This one is well-written and breaks down everyday challenges with a little song about three special steps. Oso's voice is done by Sean Astin, which makes this one even cuter.

Dora and Diego. Pretty much the same show. An annoying thing about is that while I think he's supposed to be animal/nature focused, a lot of the time the animals are mythical or weird made-up creatures that don't make any sense. Both shows have annoying mischievious villain-types (the Bobos and Swiper) with even more annoying catch-phrases. (Awww, man!) Dora's grumpy old troll has caused poor Lo anxiety over crossing bridges.

Handy Manny is our numero uno choice for Spanish-speaking cartoons, no contest. Wilmer Valderrama provides the voice to this character, which is a bonus, and the bi-lingual storyline is cute without being bossy or mind-numbingly repetitive like Dora or Diego.

Aside from the duck who can't pronounce her R's correctly, Wonderpets has cute and educational do-good plots with music that isn't too annoying. Except for the 'animal in twouble/this is sewious' thing.

You can't go wrong with an old friend. Especially when they replay classic portions of the show, or have guests like Feist or Tilly and the Wall.

This guy is not allowed at our house. (Sorry.)

Ni Hao Kai Lan teaches tons of words in Chinese/Mandarin that our whole family has been able to learn. Lo loves loves loves Kai Lan and the message is always about kindness, helping others and doing the right thing. The newest episode about Kai Lan's trip to China is a definite winner.

And you've heard me rave about Yo Gabba Gabba time and time again. It's hands down our favorite, with guests like Jack Black, The Shins, Shiny Toy Guns, Biz Markie, Elijah Wood, The Ting Tings, Mark Mothersbaugh and Tony Hawk. The music is phenomenal. The lessons taught are some of the most basic things that kids struggle with – taking baths, sharing, trying new foods, saying please and thank you, and going to bed. Perfect for toddlers (and their parents, too.) The new episodes from Season 2 that didn't air last year will finally be on Nick Jr. (formerly Noggin) during the week of October 12th. (This is why we need that cable upgrade!) New guests include Andy Samberg, The Roots, MGMT, skateboarder Ray Barbee, Reeve Oliver, Lady Tigra and Little Ones. YGG is currently shooting its third season right now.

e.t.a. Update! My awesome husband called the cable company and by signing up for their 12 month contract, we now get the 'digital plus' package and it's $40 less that what we were paying before. That is the craziness that only cell phone and cable companies can provide. Anyway, now we're enjoying all the good stuff we were missing out on ... Mtv 2, Fuse, Fuel, VH1 classic, Style, NickToons, Discovery Kids, Disney XD ... but most importantly, new Nick Jr./old Noggin. And somehow it's cheaper that what we were paying before. Hooray!

an art-filled weekend

A big thanks to everyone who stopped by Market Day on Saturday. Unfortunately, all of the cowls and neck warmers are gone! (Who would have thought?!)

If you're in Des Moines, now you can find my hand-knits at Ephemera stationery studio in the East Village! I'm so so so excited about this. Arin and Karen are just the most lovely, awesome ladies ever. And they make the most amazing cupcakes. Stop out to see them soon – they carry lots of local handmade goods (from my pals Urban Posture and Handmade Pretties + more) plus gorgeous stationery, letterpress and all kinds of drool-worthy paper products. They've been my go-to for paper lovelies for a couple of years now.

But if you live out of state and want a cowl or neck warmer, no worries! I have listed hand-knits that you can order ahead in my etsy shop and I will add a few more each time I have a few extra on hand. So keep checking there as well.

Aside from the fun of Market Day, we had a 100% art-filled weekend. We started it off by visiting M. Shawn Crahan's art show downtown at the Kirkwood.

M. Shawn Crahan is better known as 'Clown' of Slipknot. In case you're not a metal head. :)

We got to meet him and talk about his art and photography, his book, Dirty Little Rabbits, and an upcoming Halloween Slipknot show in Vegas.

One of our favorite Des Moines artists, Frank Hanson, also showed several paintings.

Lotus was a great sport and was happy to take home a birthday balloon. If we'd planned ahead and lined up a babysitter, Bo and I would have hung out for the crazy lineup of live music that went on until midnight. Mike Pfaff and Jeff Karnowski from Dirty Little Rabbits played while we were there, followed by Sid Wilson (from Slipknot) performing with Sound Proof Coalition and then we heard that Corey Taylor (also from Slipknot) stopped by and did an acoustic set. (Man!)

Next, we went to the opening of the Pappajohn Sculpture Garden in Western Gateway Park.

The park includes world-renowned sculptures by artists Willem de Kooning, Louise Bourgeouis, Richard Serra, Judith Shea, Martin Puryear, Deborah Butterfield, Ellsworth Kelly, Juame Plensa, Mark di Suvero, Joel Shapiro, Tony Smith, William Tucker and more.

We took these pics last year standing inside El Alma del Ebro but it was too packed at the opening this weekend to take a new one.

We'll have to stop out there again soon to do an update. (Though it's fun looking back at these photos of little Lo from last summer.)

Our favorite group of super talented kids, the Isiserettes, performed at the opening.

They're a local drum and drill corp and we always look forward to seeing them at Des Moines events.

We've been lucky enough to have seen the progress of the building of this park over the past year. But it was definitely awe-inspiring to see everything in its place on Saturday.

T8, Mark di Suvero.

Spider, Louise Bourgeois.

Lotus' favorite, Thinker on a Rock, Barry Flanagan.

And this one, which I don't know the title of (there's another little guy that goes with him.)

The art is surrounded by an infrastructure of these curved walls and lots of green grassy areas.

It's just a beautiful space. Our city is so incredibly lucky to have this installment.

This is one of a pair (the other is white) called 'Back of a Snowman' by Gary Hume. They are enamel on bronze and have a reflective surface.

Lo was in love with these. We couldn't tear her away. But eventually we had to.

And unfortunately, our outing ended a little bit like this. But such is life with a two-year-old who isn't ready to say goodbye to the snowmen. :)

almost ready...

Market Day is tomorrow! Here are a bunch of the cowls I'll be bringing. There are more neck warmers that I just didn't have time to take photos of, and I'm sure I'll be knitting late tonight! I've been knitting my face off all month, trying to make enough to provide a good selection. Come out to say hi and to check out all of the local handmade, art and vintage items. We'll be at 118 SE 4th Street in the East Village (next to the Garden) from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Here are some fabric-covered patchwork note cards that will be up for sale, too. They make great thank you cards and gift cards. (It never fails – I always start a few last-minute random projects like this, which keeps me up late the last two or three nights before Market Day or Craft Saturday! This must be craft ADD. Why do I do that to myself – ha!) It doesn't seem like there would be much work involved, but there are little signs to make and I like to tag everything. There are lots of little things to remember to do, but the prep work is always fun.

Lucky for me, I have a little crafty helper. The t-shirt she's wearing is my favorite score from Renegade. It says 'my crafty shirt' ... pretty much the cutest thing ever. If you like it too, you can find this tee and more at Craftster. (I had to get the 'knitting is knotty' one for myself.)

Hope to see you at Market Day tomorrow! Be sure to say hi if you stop by.

what time is it?

Gearing up for another Market Day this Saturday! This is the last time this season you’ll be able to catch Market Day and the Farmer’s Market at the same time, so make sure you don't miss it. Market Day will have their biggest group of vendors ever, from all across the state. Join us at 118 SE 4th Street in the East Village (next to the Garden) from 9 am – 2 pm for handmade, art and vintage items.

Ready for some oh-so-lovely product modeling? Because I've been knitting a ton of cowls and neck warmers to sell. And I've got to show you all the great colors.

Here I am swatting away tiny bugs. But doesn't the neck warmer look awesome?

Charcoal cowl. Thick and chunky and super warm.

Pumpkin.

Grape.

Grass green.

A random stripey skinny scarf. It's super long. Made with hand-dyed Noro yarn from Japan.

And an extra large mushroom cowl. I really love this one.

They can be pulled over your head, too, to cover your ears. (It is officially fall, you know!) There are even more hand-knit goodies that I haven't shown here so you absolutely must come out and see everything in person at Market Day this Saturday. Hope to see you there.

e.t.a. No worries if you live out of state or can't make it this weekend. I'll be listing all of the leftovers that didn't sell plus new ones in my Etsy shop next week!