Tag Archives: elmo

Adventures in Potty Training: Day 2

You know how they always say that you can lead a child to the potty but you can’t make him go? What do you do when you are convinced that your young potty trainee would rather hold it in instead of use the potty? The second day of potty training went relatively smoothly, with more things getting into the potty, less things getting on the floor and no things actually getting on me. I see this last fact as a reason to celebrate and a sign that the training will get easier. Once again we had another dry nap. However, … Continue reading →

“Sesame Street” Helping Parents Teach Kids About Terrorism

Subtitle: Elmo Meets Michael Chertoff or “The Muppets Take Manhattan… Post 9/11” I wish I were kidding. For decades parents have turned to those fun-loving furry friends on “Sesame Street” when they needed help teaching their kids how to spell, tie their shoes, and count to 10 in Spanish. But now Elmo, Grover, Big Bird, Zoe, Oscar the Grouch and crew are getting serious about a grown up topic most adults struggle to deal with—terrorism and other potential deadly catastrophes. So how exactly does a parent explain to a 3-year-old why it’s important to prepare for a terrorist attack? Don’t … Continue reading →

Elmo Lends A Hand To Help Military Families

At first glance it looks like your typical Sesame Street episode. Elmo, Rosita, Zoe… the gang’s all there, but the topic covered on Sesame Workshop’s latest DVD strays from ones that are covered on traditional shows. The characters are not learning their ABCs and 123s, rather the furry friends are learning how to get in touch with their feelings. It sounds great, but don’t look for the new DVD at your local toy store. Sesame Workshop is not mass marketing this production; rather it will be distributed exclusively to military families. That’s because the episode featuring Elmo and Rosita is … Continue reading →

Pop Culture Potpourri: Babies, Billionaires and Big Names on “Sesame Street”

It’s a virtual celebrity baby bonanza… just hours after the birth of Tiger’s new cub, Julia’s latest bundle of joy and “Felicity’s” new son, Jeff Gordon has also joined the ranks of star parents. The NASCAR driver just announced on his website that his Belgian model-actress wife, Ingrid Vandebosch, gave birth to a daughter this morning in New York. The couple named their new addition Ella Sofia Gordon. The proud papa says she weighed in at a healthy 7 lbs, 1 oz. “It’s been an absolutely incredible experience,” Gordon wrote in a message on his site. “Ingrid came through amazingly … Continue reading →

“Sesame Street” In The Middle East

After being cut off because of lack of funds, “Sesame Street” is returning to TV in Israel and the Palestinian territories. It’s been more than a decade since the original versions were taken off the air, but now they are back and the timing couldn’t be better. Show producers say much like the version which airs in the United States, the Mideast version is designed to enhance educational content for kids. Using “puppet regimes,” the show employs universal themes such as promoting peace, diversity… oh, and the importance of brushing your teeth. In Israel “Sesame Street” is called “Rechov Sumsum,” … Continue reading →

The Story Behind T.M.X. Elmo

Did you know that when T.M.X. Elmo was unveiled on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” three months ago only about 50 people in the world had seen it? It was just part of the toy’s creators master plan. For nearly two years before it became one of this year’s hottest holiday sellers T.M.X. Elmo was shrouded in so much secrecy not even the sales force at manufacturer Fisher-Price Inc. knew exactly what they were selling before the toy debuted on national television in mid-September. But, now that Elmo is flying off shelves, his creator’s are singing like canaries. Recently, members of … Continue reading →

Elmo TMX – Entertainment or Education

When I watched the unveiling of the new Elmo TMX, I have to admit that I laughed and laughed. I was amazed at how technology took a Muppet from Sesame Street and turned it into a friendly monster that rolls around, kicks, and giggles. Always dressed bright red with a red nose and big eyes, the children are naturally drawn to Elmo. However, as I watched the sales of Elmo TMX skyrocket, making it near impossible to find one to buy, I started to ask myself, “Is this new Elmo only for entertainment or is there an educational factor?” No … Continue reading →

Stars Jump On The Reading Bandwagon

She can sing like a lark, but how well does she read? We’ll soon find out if “American Idol’s” Carrie Underwood can garner as much attention for books as she has for music. According to her publicist, the singer is the latest celebrity to appear on a poster for the Oklahoma Library Association’s “Read Y’all” literacy campaign. The Underwood posters will be displayed in every academic, public, school and special library in the state. Besides Underwood (a native of the state), other famous Oklahomans to appear on the posters include country star Toby Keith, actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth, actor … Continue reading →

Elmo-Mania Strikes Again

Did you stand in line for the new “T.M.X. Elmo?” It hit the shelves Tuesday and now many of those same shelves are bare. While this latest Elmo may not be causing as much mayhem as the Original Cabbage Patch Dolls (I was about 12-years-old when they first came out and I was pushed down by a woman three times my height and age at a JCPenney in Hawaii because I was standing in front of the doll that she wanted), there is a major buzz about his highly anticipated unveiling nonetheless. Retail analysts predict “T.M.X. Elmo” (T.M.X. stands for … Continue reading →

Sesame Street Gets A Shot Of Girl Power

There’s a new face on Sesame Street… and she is pretty in pink. Abby Cadabby is the newest kid on the block, and she’s giving Bird Bird, Cookie Monster, Ernie, Bert, Elmo, and Oscar a run for their money. Look at those names again. Bird Bird, Cookie Monster, Ernie, Bert, Elmo, and Oscar… add in Telly Monster, Grover, Harry Monster and Baby Bear. What do they all have in common? They are all BOYS! Since the popular children’s show made its debut in 1969, nearly all of Sesame Street’s biggest stars have been male. Until now. Abby Cadabby is all … Continue reading →