What to do when Thomas doesn't cut it

You might think that, with our wheezing and coughing and general malaise, we've been lazing about sipping juice boxes and watching Thomas movies.  Oh no.  That was my idea of a good, sick time, which is actually a modified version of my "home sick alone" dream where I watch Murder She Wrote and drink tea and fall asleep for hours on the couch with my feet on the heating pad.  We drove to a movie place (don't you think those'll disappear soon?) and rented a train flick with the longest number of minutes I could find, trying not to breathe on anyone in the process.  Sometimes driving with the kiddo all strapped in listening to tunes is way easier than animating stuffed animals ("Make them TALK, Mama.  NOW.").  Anyhow, we snuggled in for trains, full-strength juice, a full embrace of the aforementioned malaise... How could we go wrong? 

I evidently have the one child, in the whole media-saturated world, who doesn't really like to watch TV.  I'm not complaining, because you can't really complain about that, right?  Thomas was a no go.  We're a TV in the closed cabinet family, surreptitiously watching old seasons (new to us!) of shows people have long since forgotten via Netflix.  I like a TV-free family life (aside from our every-so-
often Netflix dates) but when you're sick you just embrace the sickness, right?  I feel, somewhere deep in me, that sickness=fever=all-the-TV-you-want.  Doesn't a body need rest to heal?  I always thought TV was an irresistible force for preschoolers.  Nope. 

So what to do with endless hours upon hours (I think there were a few extra hours) of home-bound blah?  There are these things, of course, but most of those require a teeny bit of parental... effort.  The construction yard was more my fever-induced speed.  I saw this great idea on Mother Rising (second post down) but still haven't headed out for a shadow box or aquarium gravel.  Our largest baking pan and beans (intended for more bean bags) did the trick in a pinch.  Those white ones are boulders, obviously.

And lest you think we're just pushing the heavy machinery all day I should introduce you to Baby Doll.  He's an important part of our days lately.  Remember when I was looking for a good doll pattern?  Long story short, it turns out my mom saved dolls her cousin made for my sister and me.  We now have a beautiful doll to feed and burp and comfort and dress.  Check out his awesome hair!  It was pretty funny to look through the clothes because I have such a distinct memory of the coat snaps (horseshoes for horse lover me), the coverall fabrics, the strawberry shirt...  The boy named his boy Baby Doll, and sometimes he forgets that you shouldn't throw babies.  I am so relieved he finally has a nice little doll, and checked that one off my list for now without lifting a finger.  Add the nice vintage quilt top I found the other day and my "handmade while the sewing machine is out of commission" efforts are way more fruitful than my normal accomplishments. 

In conclusion: no TV for us, heavy machinery rocks and Baby Doll is our new bud.

Comments

[Sarah]

Jack is the same kind of kid when it comes to tv. He will watch it a bit longer now that he is 3.5, but around 2? Forget it.

He loves playing Thomas, but watching it can be boring.

Bigger hits (in case you need them) are the new Curious George, Max & Ruby and The Wonder Pets. (The Wonder Pets can be a little annoying, but the other two are tolerable. Thomas makes me pass out.)

[Elizabeth]

My mom used to make that same kind of "beans in a pan" setup for my sisters and I to play with our toy trucks!

I hope you guys are feeling better soon. The cold/flu that's going around this year is nasty.

[emily]

my son - now 8 - has never been interested in tv. a fantastic gift, except during those awful moments of illness when everyone needs to be on the sofa under a blanket.

the construction yard is brilliant. and the doll, so sweet.

here's hoping you'll all feel well soon!

[Carrie]

During our recent bouts with illness I introduced Mogs to the world of Netflix watch instantly. We are the same kind of house--lacking cable, but watching Netflix reruns. She loved the Peanuts episodes that are available, plus they're pretty short.

For diversion I gave her the box of reusable plastic containers and some trail mix. She poured the nuts from one container to the next snacking while she played.

I hope you guys feel better soon!

[Maggie Pie]

Hope your'e on the mend soon. Those are fantastic substitutes for the tv! I hear you about the stuffed animal voice-overs... I find it a challengeto maintain the happy-go-lucky stuffed animal voice even when I'm feeling well.

[Sarah]

We don't have a tv but we do watch things on our computer. Felix is the same way though - I can maybe get a few minutes of "TV" time but he is really not all that interested. He would much rather play with his train set or his baby doll too. (Called Baby.) For the future, youtube has a good stock of Thomas episodes... :)

Hope you feel better soon!

[Crystal]

I have a similar sick dream. It is usually sleep, reading (quietly), hot soup not cooked by me, and REST. I may never fulfill my dream while the kids are still living at home. Real sick days include long waits at Dr offices, loads of driving, medicine picking up, loud singing with the kiddos, card games, heavy drinking...well no heavy drinking really. Sometimes at the end of sick days I FEEL like it though. :)

I hope you all are feeling better soon.

[Trina]

Beth, Travis' Baby Doll was named Skippy. It has been so much fun to hear him talk about his memories of his little doll that he played with. He couldn't believe the picture when I sent it to him!

Feel better soon, Both of you.

[zannestar]

No TV usually for us too, but we do watch movies and Netflix is our BFF. Iz loves anything Scooby Doo, and I've found I haven't grown out if it either. Our latest activity so we can "sit-still-and-rest-so-we-can-get-better" is cutting. Safety scissors and paper and ribbon. Hours I tell you...

feel better soon!

[mrs. french]

oh yes, we have also partook in constructive bean activities at our home. lovely blog.

[kyrie]

oh, i remember that doll! my mom made them for us when we were little. do you happen to know what pattern she used?

[OTJenH]

I love your blog! I've been reading for a while, but this is the first time that I have commented. I want to say THANK YOU for the great indoor digging activity idea. The days when we can't get outside to dig are positively painful! We were so inspired that we put together our own "Box of Rocks" last night. You can see it here:
http://thewritestart.typepad.com/the_write_start/2008/04/httpwritemamawr.html
Thanks again!

[Katie]

Have just discovered your blog, and love it! Can relate to many of your posts. I still have buying a doll for my 20 month old on the list of things to do... Will be back to revisit you often!