A letter to Diego

Dear Diego,

While I can appreciate the values and education that you and your cousin, Dora, are attempting to pass along to preschoolers, I do have a small complaint.

You see, my daughter, Riley, is 23 months old and as of late has developed a slightly, albeit cute, obsession with your television show.

Normally, this is not too much of a problem except that she wants to watch your show even when it is not on. I have not yet been able to teach her about the structure and schedule of the tv guide.

So, in order to remedy this small problem, I have begun setting my DVR to record new episodes of your show. Problem solved, right?

Well, in today's episode, Cousin Dora made a guest appearance. The combination of her two most beloved cartoon characters on the television all at once was too much for Riley to contain!

It could only have been more exciting if you had been rescuing Blue and Magenta from the evil clutches of Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper (and let's not forget Baby Paprika) while Joe (or Steve) narrated the adventure.

Ok, but back to the excitement...

This caused Riley to run down the hallway screaming "Day-go! Dora! Day-go! Dora!"

Unfortunately, this was during Jeremiah's nap.

I was using nap time to get some much needed work done around my house. *sigh* I was being quite productive until this moment.

So, Diego. I appreciate the entertainment value that you bring to my home. I appreciate that I can often sneak in a shower while you memorize my child with stories of 3 toed sloths and baby beluga whales.
I just wish your show didn't come on during nap time!

Sincerely (yet frustrated),

Jennifer Miles

To the people at Play-Doh

To whom it may concern,

I would like to thank you for having the forethought to create Play-Doh in a NONTOXIC form.

This is not the first time I've thought this.
I thought it once while I was working at a daycamp and one of the kids took a bite out of her Play-Doh creation.
I thought it once while I was babysitting and one of the kids fed some Play-Doh to her sibling.
I thought it once while working in a classroom full of 2 year old at church and I noticed a big bite taken out of the Play-Doh as I was collecting it.

The reason I write to you today is because I've never been more thankful for your NONTOXIC Play-Doh than I am today.

You see, my daughter, Riley, is 22 months old and she has recently discovered the enjoyment that is sitting at the table and rolling Play-Doh with a rolling pin.

She has taken to doing this almost daily.

I've suspected that she might be "taste testing" her projects from time to time, but I've never actually had proof.

That is, until today.

I have just discovered that several of our 2 ounce containers of Play-Doh now contain significantly less than 2 ounces.

Apparently that lovely light brown, beautiful bubble gum pink and the shocking green apple must be the most tasty. Maybe it's just that she's a fan of those colors. She is after all, my daughter.

Don't worry, she's an equal opportunity taster. All colors have been tasted.

I guess you can say Riley has literally tasted the rainbow.

Sincerely and with all my thanks and appreciation for my child's safety,

Jennifer Miles