"Where the Wild Things Are" Film Review

Maybe because I am the mother of a sensitive boy with a great imagination, maybe because I am a sensitive person, or maybe because it is just so well done, this movie really bowled me over. I wasn't really sure what to expect from it, and just before seeing the film I read the book at Chapters. It's a children's picture book so they obviously had to expand on the story and wow did they do an amazing job! I was so touched I had tears trickling down my cheeks at several different parts throughout the film. Zaak asked me if I was crying at the end, and by then I had somewhat pulled myself together but him asking me set me off again!

The creatures were done by the Jim Henson Company and Jim Henson would be so proud if he was still alive! They are incredibly believable and likable, these puppets have come a long way since the Muppets and Sesame Street.

The soundtrack is also amazing. All the songs are original and by "Karen O and the Kids." The music perfectly enhances the beauty, humor and sadness in the film.

So, Zaak is usually the film reviewer in our family but I beat him to this one :)

I give "Where the Wild Things Are" two enthusiastic thumbs up!

God Sees You... and (SURPRISE!) He Likes What He Sees

This is a song from a DVD Red Willow Church sent us (thanks again guys!) when we were living in Guatemala. It's called "Boz the Bear" and is from the creators of Barney BUT way less grating on the nerves :) It's also Christian, so the shows have nice little lessons about sharing and such. Why I'm blogging about this song is that I LOVE it's message. Forget teaching kids "Oh be careful little eyes what you see" and all those guilt/fear songs that are out there. I want my kids to know God thinks they are incredible, that He is delighted by them. I know I could have benefited from being told as a child that God is pleased by ME, and not just that I need to try and please God. So my kids are going to grow up believing that they are priceless in God's eyes, and that makes me infinitely happy. I actually wrote the words from the songs title in my friend Melaney's birthday card - because I think it's a beautiful thing to hear and internalize as an adult too. (P.S. Happy Birthday on Friday Mellykins!)

And so for your reading enjoyment, here are the lyrics to the song:

“God Sees You And He Likes What He Sees”

- By Angelo Natalie (Giggling Bear Music)

God sees you…and He likes what He sees

God sees you…and you’re special as can be

So look straight up to Heaven, shout:

“Thanks for making me!”

God sees you…and He likes what He sees

God made you….and you’re one of a kind

God made you…you’re always on His mind.

So smile up to Heaven, shout:

“Thanks for making me!”

God made you…and you’re one of a kind

So look straight up to Heaven, shout:

“Thanks for making me!”

God sees you…and He likes what He sees

The Boy

Preschool Dilemma

My little boy is 4 now, and pretty much every other kid his age is in preschool. So I have been wondering if we are doing the right thing by NOT sending him. He just seems too little still! I know it would only be a few mornings or afternoons a week, but it seems like a lot. Am I preventing him from reaping the benefits of going to preschool? Am I one of those hyper-protective moms? We go to a library story-time, he has his own class at church, and we have play dates at the park so it's not like he is cut off from the outside world. I was an elementary teacher and I KNOW there is always at LEAST one rotten kid per class. Plus Blaise is such a sweet sensitive soul, I can just picture him having a "friend" who is in reality a little monster. Another reason is that I want to be the one to teach him, not some stranger who may not value Blaise for the incredible little boy that he is. So I thought I was good with him staying home, but I've been wondering if I am making him miss out on this experience. OH the mommy guilt - it cuts deep! Any advice/wisdom on this matter is most welcome!

New Shoes Por Moi!

I found shoes to go with my bridesmaids dress for April's wedding this week! So excited :) They were on sale, they're comfy, unique looking and suit me marvelously I think. Oh and they go with the dress :) They have a bit of a heel so that makes me a good couple of inches taller than Zaak but that's okay. He's man enough to handle his wife towering over him, heehee. So the shoes are Bare Traps (which is surprising because I thought they only made comfy, casual shoes) and I got them at the Shoe Company. Happy Weekend!

The Merits of a Wagon

Brenda, a co-worker of Zaak's, gave us the blue wagon you see in this photo behind Blaise. I am so grateful because it is allowing me to get some (much needed) exercise! Instead of wrestling Acadia into the stroller, and then prodding pokey Blaise all the way to the park, they happily ride in the wagon while I get my heart rate up! It's wonderful! What a joy it is to be outside right now too, all the trees are flowering and people's yards are bursting with tulips and crocuses. Now I just need a walking buddy...:)

Color Me!

This is the kids doing some bath-time art the other night. All you do is add a couple of drops of food coloring to a bit of shaving cream and voila! Instant bath-time excitement :) Even Zaak wanted a paintbrush of his own to get in on the action! Do remember to wash your child (or self heehee) with soap afterwards or they will have slightly colored skin wherever they painted. Have fun!

Walnut Raisin Molasses Bread & Roast Chicken

Two of the many tasks I accomplished today :)

I Learned a New Word this Week...

...and the word is "acedia" (strangely close in spelling to my daughters name - Acadia - but not at all related otherwise). The definition of the word is: "spiritual or mental sloth, apathy." The pastor at our new church just finished a series on the 7 deadly sins and yesterdays was sloth. I always took it to mean simply laziness, but it's much more than that. I need to read more about it but the message really struck a chord with me. We can be missing all that God has to offer us simply by allowing ourselves to be selfish, petty, and ignorant. For me I tend to get bogged down by what I lack instead of what I am so richly blessed with. So I am making the choice this week to see the beauty and opportunity in everything around me. To take joy in the seemingly mundane tasks that are part of being a mother and a wife, to use my time wisely and enjoy every moment of life I have been granted.

Spring I Hope!

This was just 2 weeks ago! Blaise posing with a snowman he built with Papa Zaak.



And this is today...now that's more like it! I am SO DONE with snow! (Acadia is donning earmuffs because she has a bit of a cold, and the air was still cool even thought the sun was blessedly hot :)





I was reading up on a friends blog earlier today and it made me feel sorry for mine, and for those of you faithful few who check it only to see it appears abandoned. So I have resolved to post at least once a week, be it simply a photo, quote, recipe or whatever I'm into at the moment. Cheers!