olivia

It's pretty rare when my four-year-old son and I agree on the same form of entertainment. I don't get much of a kick from playing with Thomas and Percy, and I don't think he'd be too thrilled with reading Twilight or New Moon.

Enter Olivia, a TV show (based on the book series by Ian Falconer) on Nick Jr. that we both adore ... made that much more special by the fact that we watch it together and laugh (and laugh, and laugh).

One of the great things about Olivia is that she's a straight-forward kid, in a respectful (and rare) manner. Her imagination takes her to the stars and beyond, but her every-day grit finds her doing things as all-American as running a lemonade stand or camping with her family.

She's girly enough to dream of one day becoming a prima ballerina or figure skater, yet rough and tumble enough to play a mean game of soccer. Speaking of the soccer episode -- one of my favorites! Olivia is irritated that she has to wear the same color jersey as the rest of the team, rather than her trademark usual red attire ... a fashion diva, even on the sports field. :)

The beauty of Olivia -- it holds Aidan's attention because of its adventurous storyline and family-centered values (each episode ends with one of her parents tucking her in, usually after a story, and saying 'goodnight' and 'I love you'). And it holds my attention because the witty banter and one-liners keep me rolling.

One more brilliant touch that makes me love Olivia -- her "Rules of Life" which she slides into her plot narratives on each show, such as ...

"Rule of Life #5: Not everyone can wear red, especially when you're pink."

Preach it, Livvy girl. Preach it.