T.V. Really is The Devil

Today confirms why there are guidelines and recommendations for not allowing children to watch t.v.
My son hears music in the neighborhood and yells "It's the ice cream truck"
My jaw hits the ground.  For 4 years my husband and I had him.;  It's the Music Truck of course! It drives around and plays music for little children.   All if this lying and scheming was to avoid this.  Aside: one of my favorite Eddie Murphy bits of all time.  Anyway, I let this little statement go without responding and revisit later when he is winding down for the night.  Here is how the conversation went:
Me: Hey! Did you hear the Music Truck earlier? (I am so stealth!)
Son: Yeah, but it was an ice cream truck
Me: Hm, how did you know it was an ice cream truck?
Son: Because I saw it was white (??what??)
Me: Oh, but how did you find out it was an ice cream truck?
Son: I saw it on PBS

Thanks a lot! All that hard work and lying right down the drain..........Oh well, now I will just have to lie about not having any money.

Why Re-Invent the Wheel: Popsicle Saver

I have no idea where I saw this idea but I am so glad I remembered it when I did!  While grocery shopping the other night, I decided I needed to have Klondike Ice Cream bars.  Of course I shared with my little boy, who has definitely inherited my sweet tooth.  He sweetly asked me, 'Mommy, can I eat it on the couch?'  Now, normally I would balk at such a suggestion, but this kid has got my number AND I am so exhausted at this point after a full day of work and then the evening routine, and THEN a trip to the grocery store that I just don't have the energy for his negotiations.  This magical idea popped into my head and it worked gloriously!  No worrying about drippings on the couch and no tantrums and/or endless persisting from 4 year old.  It's a win-win.  Why re-invent the wheel?