Teeny Manolo

With this list, I am attempting not to use the word “education” too loosely.  Oddly enough, in doing research for this post, I noticed that educational shows have become a bigger trend in the past decade or so. 

Drumroll please…

10. CyberChase

A show that teaches children about discrete mathematics, but in a fun way! Well, if math could ever be described as fun… With the voice talents of Gilbert Gottfried and Christopher Lloyd. This is an actual full episode of the series, which debuted in 2002, and has won several awards, including an Emmy.

9. Between the Lions

This show features a family of lions who run a library. It emphasizes phonics and reading, through both songs and stories. This segment is entitled “Gawain’s Word” which is a take-off on “Wayne’s Word.” And then… well, you’ll see.

8. The Electric Company

Aimed at kids who had “graduated” from Sesame Street, The Electric Company focused primarily on reading and phonetics. Wanna see a Super Fly version of Morgan Freeman? Here’s your chance!

7. 3-2-1 Contact!

3-2-1 Contact! taught scientific principles. And listen, this show is what made education in the 70’s totally awesome. This is a segment where a KISS concert is used to explain the principles of light. Genius.

6. Bill Nye the Science Guy

That wacky Bill made science accessible and non-intimidating. And, he had cool experiments. If you were to watch only one of the YouTubes I have on here, this segment about optical illusions is it. The circles! The boiling clouds!

To see my top five picks…

(more…)

The criteria? Simple.

They had to be on television and they had to be under 18 at the beginning of the series. Much to my dismay, this kicked Sally Field as Gidget right out of the running.

Soleil Moon Frye- Punky Brewster

People either loved her or hated her, but either way she managed to etch herself into the American consciousness.

Neil Patrick Harris- Dougie Howser, M.D.

A doctor who is going through puberty equals hit show. Why exactly, I’m not sure.  But it did.

Frankie Muniz- Malcolm in the Middle

The brilliant, beleaguered Malcom played the quintessential middle child in a hilariously dysfunctional family. 

Fred Savage- The Wonder Years

If you didn’t root for him to get together with Winnie, then you simply have no soul.

Danny Bonaduce- The Partridge Family

Even though nobody had posters up in their rooms of Danny, we all remember him better than that Cassidy guy.

To see who rounds out the list….

(more…)

I am proud to present my annual list of resolutions for those who could be described as a personality type residing a bit further down the alphabet.  For those who find all that mumbo jumbo about getting fit, lowering credit card debt, and being more conscientious about cleaning the house to be just too much effort.

1. Wake Up Every Morning. Doing this successfully gives you that psychological boost you need to keep up with the rest of your resolutions. I mean, when day number 354 rolls around, how many people can honestly say they stuck to their resolution every day of the year? Not many, my friends, not many.

2. Drink More of Something.  Whether it be water, green tea, or vodka tonic, surely there is something we should all drink more often.

3.  Eat Less of Something.  If you usually can mow through an entire can of Pringles in one sitting, as long as you stop one chip short of finishing the can, you’re good. Same with a bag of M&M’s. Or that carton of Ben & Jerry’s.  You get the picture.

4.  Be Able to Run Faster Than at Least Two Other People. And if that means hanging out with 1 1/2 and 6474 year olds all the time, then so be it.  At least you will know that you have the ability to outrun somebody, and that makes you feel good inside.

5.  Educate Yourself.  Learn Latin, the secrets of making really cool balloon animals, how to churn butter, or countless other skills to improve your daily life. Remember, learning is always an adventure!

6. Try New Things. Making those reservations at that Michelin 4-star restaurant, deciding to part your hair a different way, or sleeping on the opposite side of the bed. They all count.

7. This List is Already Too Long and Too Much Work, so There is No Number Seven!

8. Avoid Movies that Will Make You Cry. Life is hard enough, do we really need to pay good money to be emotionally manipulated to weep at fictional stories? 2008 is the year to stop the insanity!

9. Get Out More. “Getting out” could be defined by some as attending the theater more often. To others, it could be simply opening your front door and sitting on the lawn. How far you take this one is up to you.

10. Your turn!

Okay, this is raincoaster in charge of the Listmania today, not Glinda, so we know that the tastelessness factor is amped, relatively speaking. Just so you’re braced for some of the below, a roundup of some online Christmas games dug out from behind piles of old mittens and boots in the backs of dark closets all over the blogosphere.

And if you notice the prevalence of a certain source for some of these coolest of cool games, well, did you ever watch a Christmas special and wonder what happened to some of the characters afterwards?

Yes, the Grinch’s humble dog Max took the Whoville Express right to the top of the Office Supplies heap, garnering him a fortune of which his erstwhile master could only dream. Now, he spends his days dreaming up new ways to bring Christmas to every little girl and boy on the internet, even the grown-up ones.

Elf Bowling #1 through #7 (Nstorm)

Christmas Jesus Dress Up! Like paper dolls, only more heretical! (NormalBobSmith)

Shoot the lame Christmas junk! And you’ll really feel like shooting something with this music in the background! (Resn)

Alert Britney: North Pole Dancing (OfficeMax) Don’t you stick to it at those temperatures?

Reindeer arm wrestling (OfficeMax) Blitzen here has some serious ‘tude.

Shake the SnowGlobe and hear them scream! (OfficeMax)

Elf Yourself (OfficeMax)

Scrooge Yourself (OfficeMax)

Forget the cheerleader! Save the Snowman! (OfficeMax)

Snowball fight. A bit primitive, but classic (Zeeks)

Build a snowman (ChristmasGamesOnline)

Evil Santa generator (ScottsMind)

Christmas Tree Generator (Pyzam)

Christmas Disaster Generator (SecretTechnology)

Make a Flake (Snowflake)

Quiz: what movie is your Christmas most like? (Blogthings)

And, of course, the immortal: Subservient Santa (SimonsezSanta). Comes in kid-friendly or Naughty and Nice versions.

Ahhh, Christmas!  The trees, the decorations, the lights!  And oh, the ear-torturing music!  For some reason, everyone wants to record a Christmas tune.  Sometimes the results are delightful, and sometimes they make you wish you had never ever had the misfortune to hear them.  This list is the worst of the worst.

1. Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer- Dr. Elmo

Have you LISTENED to the lyrics?  I can take a joke as well as anyone, but have never thought this to be even remotely funny.

2. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

Cute and whimsical can only get so far with me.

3.  God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen- Manheim Steamroller

Resist the Muzak!

4.  White Christmas- Michael Bolton

Bing Crosby weeps in heaven every time this version is played.

5. Christmas Time- Backstreet Boys

Remind me again how these guys ever sold any albums? 

6. The Chipmunk Song- Alvin and the Chipmunks. 

There are times when we can make allowances for the hit songs of our childhood, but this song just isn’t one of them.

7. Jingle Bells- The Barking Dogs.

  It was cute the first oh, twenty times I heard it.  After that, every second is pure torture.

8. Dominick the Christmas Donkey - Lou Monte.

 I have no words for this song.  It is just THAT BAD.

9. Santa Baby- Madonna

Make it stop!  Make it stop, I beg you!

10.  I Wish Every Day Could Be Like Christmas - Bon Jovi

Not being raised anywhere near the East Coast, I have no blind spot for Jon Bon Jovi.  This song lasts about 2:34 minutes too long.

Christmas books aren’t only for Christmas, you know! But, they can help children understand a sometimes overwhelming time of year. And the best books of all teach them that there is more to the Christmas spirit than just presents under the tree.

The Polar Express

The Night Before Christmas

Olive, The Other Reindeer

Santa Calls

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

The Sweet Smell of Christmas (Scented Storybook)

The Legend of the Pointsettia

Mooseltoe

The 12 Days of Christmas (Pop-Up Book)

A Christmas Carol

Dream Snow

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Why Christmas Trees Aren’t Perfect 

The Crippled Lamb

Auntie Claus

The Gift of the Magi

Have you thought to yourself, while shopping for fake pets that kids can take care of online, or toys that look like they will break after five minutes, “They just don’t make them like they used to?”

Oh, but they do! And you have to figure, there has to be some reason these toys are still around, right?

Well, I am a bit puzzled about the sea monkeys, but here is a list of classic toys you can never go wrong with purchasing.

Operation  The horrid buzzing sound that signaled the death of your dream career in medicine never failed to scare me. And that wish bone, it was always my downfall.

Sea Monkeys Ok, raise your hand if you thought they were really sea monkeys when you were a kid.  Liar.

Magic 8 ball The original, used mostly for answering the truly important questions in life, such as if Johnny liked you as much as you liked him, or if Michelle was still your best friend. 

Slinky Dog Just like the one in Toy Story!  There were rumors that he could be pulled across the length of two rooms, but I’m pretty sure that’s just an urban myth.

Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots In my estrogen-ruled household with my Dad as the only male, this game was something I never actually played with, but my husband got really excited when he found out this was still around. Why do I have the feeling I will be getting familiar with this toy sooner than I realize?

Perfection Even more than Operation, this game with a timer louder than a roaring train put me completely on edge. What other game would literally blow up in your face if you didn’t finish in time? Again, always scared the crap out of me, which was part of the fun.

Radio Flyer Classic Red Wagon Listen, they have all sorts of different incarnations of this original, including one with drink holders. But, for that true retro feeling of knowing you could fall out at any second, nothing but this will do.

Easy Bake Oven Ok, yes, so it’s been recalled. But who could forget the doughy gooeyness of a cupcake “baked” in one of these babies? Ahhh, the wonders a light bulb can do. The model from Amazon does not look to be the same as the recalled model, but apparently it’s caveat emptor.

Barbie The “Reem Acra Bride Barbie” I’ve linked to is a far cry from the Barbie I played with back in 197(cough, cough). It was Barbie, Ken, and Skipper having to make do with a shoebox as their dream house. And of course, I cut off her hair.

Lincoln Logs These are still going strong, and I am amazed that my son loves playing with these just as much as I did.

Legos This toy has evolved to include so many specialty types, from specialized acrylic bricks to yes, an Advent Calendar.

Erector sets Got a builder in the family? If you do, there is no way they can resist the siren call of the 150 Piece Construction Bucket! This toy was invented in 1913, and it is amazing that it is still a favorite almost 100 years later.

Trouble How did our parents ever survive the popping noise that this game constantly produces? But as with most noisy games, a heck of a lot of fun!

TinkerToys For some reason, I don’t remember my parents buying me this toy, but the creations my son can make with it attest to it’s continuing popularity.

What is it about Christmas movies that just seem so much more special than regular ones?

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
A Christmas Story
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Television Christmas Classics- (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, etc…)
A Christmas Carol (1951)
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Home Alone
The Polar Express
Elf
A Charlie Brown Christmas

If you will excuse me, I am now putting on my flak jacket and ducking behind this wall to prepare myself for the barrage of criticism for excluding a particular classic movie.  Let me go ahead and make it a bit easier for you, so that you don’t have to write so much.

1. Yes, I have seen it.
2. Yes, I like Jimmy Stewart a lot, too.
3. No, it didn’t make me cry.
4. Yes, I have a heart.
5. No, it does not mean this entry should be placed in the “That’s Just Wrong” category.

I just don’t see what the big deal is about that movie.  It does nothing for me.  I know you have now probably lost all respect for me, but I love you just the same.

And if anyone knows any great Chanukah movies, please let us know!

(Looking for the TeenyManolo Sweepstakes? Go here)

In this day and age when leisure time is about as scarce as people who don’t own cell phones, it is more important than ever that families schedule time to be together.  There is nothing my family likes better than playing games, the kind where you all sit at the table and tease and joke and high five each other when you win.   Get some snacks, a tall glass of whatever, and let the fun begin. Oh, and taunting the losing side until the next round is also one of the major benefits.

For varying age groups, the best multiplayer games for families:

Uno- What could be better than a game in which double-crossing is not only ok, it’s encouraged?

Candyland- I’m not sure any kid should grow up without playing Candyland.

Jenga- Building tall things that satisfyingly crash at some point is a natural fit for kids.

Parcheesi- Simple, fast-paced, and easy to understand game that has been around for centuries, so it must be doing something right!

Scattergories- Fun and vocabulary building at the same time!

Cranium-14 games in one, what’s not to like? And if you hurry, it is half price!

Clue- Was it Colonel Mustard in the conservatory with a pipe?  And for those that think their kid is too young to be discussing murders and motives, there is a new version, Clue Junior, in which the mystery of a missing chocolate cake is solved.

The Game of Life- Life is all about choices, and this game is a real-time choices and consequences lesson.

Monopoly- Again, how can you grow up and not play Monopoly?

Scrabble- Nothing feels quite like a triple word score! You can get the classic or the Junior Edition.

What about you?  Are there any obvious ones that you feel like telling me about, so I can smack my forehead and exclaim, ‘D’oh!” when I read the comments? 

Now, now, some of you were a bit overeager on the last Listmania! post, Best Books for Younger Children. Here I present my final book list. I would say that these range anywhere from 3rd grade up to high school, but each child is different in reading skill and comprehension, so it is tough to say when they should pick up a particular book.

Many of these books are Newberry Award Winners, but I was quite surprised to find that some of the most beloved books did not win the award and were in fact honorable mentions.  I was also surprised to find myself getting a little misty-eyed at the memory of some of these books. Here they are, in no particular order:

Black Beauty
Ella Enchanted
James and the Giant Peach
Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales
Ramona (series)
The Little Prince
The Secret Garden
The Chronicles of Narnia
My Side of the Mountain (series)
Harry Potter (series)
The New Way Things Work
Harriet the Spy
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn
Little Women
The Little Princess
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The Black Cauldron
The Call of the Wild and White Fang
Tuck Everlasting
Bridge to Terabithia
A Series of Unfortunate Events (series)
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass
The Giver
Little House on the Prairie (series)
Anne of Green Gables (series)
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret
Holes
The Phantom Tollbooth
A Wrinkle in Time
The Wind in the Willows
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Shiloh
Charlotte’s Web
Because of Winn-Dixie
The Hobbit
A Light in the Attic
To Kill a Mockingbird
His Dark Materials (series)

Anything else?