Um...Why the Power Rangers?

I was browsing my blogger stats and was totally astounded to learn that the majority of traffic to my blog is because of the Power Rangers.  When I say the majority I mean like a huge number of visitors end on this one post.  Approximately half of all of my page views over the life of my blog were of my Power Ranger post but this month it was more like 90%. 
 
In 2011 I wrote about them one time.  It was some blog project.  I figured it was a good fit because I grew up loving them, the kids like them and I was all sorts of excited to find out that they were still around and still a show that could be a great influence on my growing children.  Sure, they are fighting imaginary monsters but they are super cool (yes they are!) and they teach great lessons to young kids.  

Anyway, according to my Blogger stats (which aren't the same as other stats, but they're reasonably close) in the last month Weavers Wobble was viewed almost 3600 times.  Normally I don't get nearly that many views in one month; my normal number of blog views per month is under 1000.  Over 3200 of the views were of my one Power Rangers post!     


But why is my Power Rangers post so popular, especially compared to everything else I write?  I know my writing is kind of boring and I'm not complaining, just really, really curious.  Does anyone have insight about this?

Jonas Says...

Jonas is all about numbers lately.  Usually he is 2 years old (wrong) and after some jogging the memory he is 3 (correct).  He has also said he's 3 and a half which is not quite true.    Yesterday he said his bike is 3 and a half years old.  Today he said one of my arms was 7 long and the other was 2 inches.  He really loves to measure things.  I think he gets it from his big brother Zachary, the future engineer.



Daddy and Jonas celebrating 32 and 3


While I'm on the topic of my 3rd child, I have to thank wonderful people at One2One Network for informing me that Power Rangers were back (though really they never left).  My son is OBSESSED with them.  He is constantly asking to watch Power Rangers because he wants to fight bad guys.  He punches and kicks along with them during the shows and invites me to help.  The goofy antics of Bulk and Spike crack him up without fail.  He says the Purple Ranger is his favorite (funny, I haven't seen him or her, lol) and loves to talk about the bad guys and their "bad choice[s]".  Power Rangers really is a great show.  

I am really happy to say that Jo is becoming a book lover like his mama.  He even has favorites, like books about trucks, cars and dinosaurs.  He loves to invite me to compare with him his dinosaurs with the photos in his books to see if we can find a match.  He also loves Lion King books.  



Jo's favorite dinosaur book


I'm also proud to announce that this stubborn wild child is finally getting into potty-training mode.  At 3???  Yeah, he's STUBBORN.  I'm not a huge fan of bribing though I read that bribing when a meltdown is not involved is usually totally fine.  But for this child and this situation I am fully embracing the bribe.  He loves video and computer games.  Since those are a privilage that he can EARN I thought they would be most appropriate for helping with training.  So whenever he goes he can usually have immediate positive reinforcement by being allowed to play for a little while.  If he has an accident the gaming is put on hold until he tries again.  In the morning he has to at least try before any video or computer games are played.  It's my way of limiting the computer and video games that I don't really approve of him playing while still allowed them to be played, which hubby thinks should be unlimited (CRAZY man).  So it's a good compromise for the kiddo and us parents while relieving us of the horror of 3-year old diaper changes.  And I like that he can see his attempts being rewarded in a way that he loves.  It may not be the best way but I'm finally getting him to try!         
 

Go Go Power Rangers (Samurai)!

In the 90's when the first Power Rangers emerged I was a huge fan (hey, I was 11).  I loved that they were a super close-knit group of friends, that they fought bad guys, that they wore "their" color all the time and that they had cool transformer-like creatures that helped them.  My favorite was the Pink Ranger, Kimberly.  I always adored female super heroes but this one was a gymnast too.  I was a gymnast (not saying I was good...lol)!!!  There was a super hero that was JUST like me!  I wasn't a dramatic kid or anything.  ;) 

Eventually I was "too old" for the Power Rangers though I knew they stayed around for quite a while.  But checking them out on Wikipedia I've learned that they never really went away- with MANY seasons and series plus some movies (we have one of those- a birthday present for my son 2 years ago). 
Thanks to One2One Network, I was made aware that this show is back with a new cast and a new look.   Now in their 18th (!!) season, they are ready again for action.  Power Rangers: Samurai premieres on the Nickelodeon network TONIGHT, February 7, 2011 at 8PM.  I'm not aware of many shows that have stuck around for so long.  It could be that the Power Rangers have always delivered a positive message to impressionable children who will eventually be teens (the age of the Rangers).  Really...do you want an upbeat, energetic and happy teen like the ones from Power Rangers or one of the melancholy My So Called Life teens?  How can you NOT love the Power Rangers and what they represent? 

And speaking of that, the Power Rangers are still being good role models.  Along with the new show will be the emPOWER Movement.  From the One2One Network site: The emPOWER Movement "provides parents and kids the tools they need to work together to grow healthy kids and support healthy communities."



"emPOWER inspires participation in schools, online and in local communities to demonstrate the Power Rangers values:

 * Standing for What's Right
 * Teamwork and Cooperation
 * Confidence
 * Health and Physical Fitness
 * Caring and Friendship"

We (my three older kids- ages 9, 5 and 3 and I) are definitely going to watch this tonight!  I look forward to spending family time watching a positive show with good values.  Who else is using their kids as an excuse to watch an old favorite reemerge?! 



*UPDATE*
We watched this together tonight and really enjoyed it!  My 3 year old and I ran around the house during the commercials fighting bad guys.  My 9 year old son seemed interested (he isn't a boy of many words!) and my 5 year old daughter was disappointed that it was only half an hour long.  I was pleased to see that it hasn't changed much from the original, except it's more martial arts-focused and of course the special effects are better!  I think it's a great family show that will appeal to all age groups.  If you have a family that opposes fighting, swords...things like that, then this isn't a show for you.  But the positive messages are still there and the lessons are valuable!  We will be setting the reminder for next week. 

Anyone else out there watch this tonight with their kids?  What did you think?