A view of a Bridge

We just got back from seeing a wonderful movie a few minutes ago. I can't think of anything that would have made Bridge to Terabithia a better film. Anyone who hasn't read the book might think it is just a film about 2 kids and a magical place; that's certainly all the trailer would lead someone to believe. So I worried a little about exactly how the movie would handle the real story, and whether my kids would feel cheated or upset by the unexpected turn in the action. I needn't have been concerned. My kids (11, 8, and 6) all loved it. My 6-year-old whispered to me that "We're going to buy this on DVD, and when I grow up and move out of the house, I'm taking it with me." I'd say that's pretty high praise. I appreciated the film's sensitive handling of some difficult themes... bullying, grief, abusive parents, financial struggles... I loved what one reviewer from the NY Post had to say: "Since there aren't any dumb jokes or hip visuals, it's easy to get caught up in the simple messages: Be good to your sister, don't be a bully, use your imagination in a pinch." There's an especially good scene in which the 2 main characters are discussing Jesus/God/the Bible after attending an Easter service... one of them has never been to church before and the other has been raised believing in God. Which one do you think "gets it" more?

The film could easily provide you with hours of discussion with your family. I'm looking forward to talking to my kids about it some more.

There is a lot I could say, but I don't want to spoil it for people who haven't read the book or seen the movie yet. I just don't see how someone could walk away from the theater dissatisfied after seeing it.

If you'd like a professional's opinion, I liked this one.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wishing you showers of love from above and here on earth.

Do you ever find yourself in this dilemma??

If you enjoyed that, here are a few card sentiments from Hallmark's dysfunctional section. (Angie, these are for you!).

1. I always wanted to have someone to hold, someone to love. And
now that you've come into my life.... (Inside card) - I've changed my
mind.

2. I must admit, you brought religion into my life.... (Inside card) - I
never believed in Hell until I met you

3. As the days go by, I think how lucky I am.... (Inside card) - That
you're not here to ruin it for me.

4. Congratulations on your promotion. Before you go.... (Inside card) - Will you take the knife from my back? You'll probably need it again.

5. Someday I hope to marry.... (Inside card) - Someone other than
you.

6. Happy Birthday! You look great for your age.... (Inside card) -
Almost lifelike!

7. When we were together, you said you'd die for me.... (Inside card) - Now we've broken up, I think it's time to keep your promise.

8. We've been friends for a very long time.... (Inside card) - What do
you say we stop?

9. I'm so miserable without you.... (Inside card) - It's almost like
you're still here.

10. Congratulations on your new bundle of joy.... (Inside card) - Did
you ever find out who the father was?

11. You are such a good friend. If we were on a sinking ship and there
was only one life jacket.... (Inside card) - I'd miss you terribly and
think of you often.

12. Your friends and I wanted to do something really special for your
birthday.... (Inside card) - So we're having you put to sleep.

13. Happy Birthday, Uncle Dad! (Available only in Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia)

14.Looking back over the years we've been together, I can't help but
wonder.... (Inside card) - What was I thinking?

15. Congratulations on your wedding day!.... (Inside card) - Too bad no one likes your husband

Bowling, burgers, and books

Well, it took a while, but the rains have finally come to northern California. Today is our 3rd or 4th straight day of rain, but we didn't want to spend all day just sitting around the house. So after dropping Emily off at a friend's house for a birthday gathering, Brian and I took the other 3 kids to the base bowling alley and bowled a couple of games. I started off pretty strong, with a 133 (my first 2 frames were actually strikes!), but only managed a 111 in the second. Brian had a 76 and a 140, Halle's scores were 63 and 76, Noah's were 73 and 82, and Joel's were 82 and 93. (Halle and Joel were using bumpers.)

After we finished up there, we had lunch at Burger King... and then went to Barnes and Noble to use a gift card and 15% coupon (I forgot about the gift card when checking out, though.... darn! I might have to go back again.) The kids each got books to read plus some sticker books that were "Buy 2, Get 1 Free." I picked out a Francine Rivers book I haven't read yet, The Scarlet Thread.

So now we can enjoy our rainy afternoon curled up with some books. Definitely beats housework!

Acrostics

Today during school, we learned about acrostic poems and wrote our own. Finally, a form of writing that hasn't sent the kids running away and screaming in terror! Here are Noah's:

Needs to watch wrestling

Often plays fighting games

Always bugging my dad

Hyper

****************************

Watching every week

Randy Orton is dumb.

ECW is cool.

Submission

Table, ladder, chair matches

Legends of wrestling

Iron man

No wimps allowed

Gets on my mom's nerves

And Halle's:

Has a pretty face

Able to do a cartwheel

Likes to play with friends

Likes to play with Mom and Dad

Everyone likes to play with her

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Fun and funny

Riding bikes

In the sun

Eating together

Nothing better

Dancing together.

And here's mine:

Checking email and

Online gaming

Meeting new friends while

Posting on blogs

Until my fingers are numb; I need a

Twelve-step program.

Error messages make me

Reboot

Someday I'll get a Mac.

My sweet em-brace-able kids

No, this isn't a "cute things my kids did/said" post. This is more of a "cha-ching" post. Halle and Noah both had orthodontic evaluations yesterday, and unsurprisingly, they are both ready to begin a phase 1 treatment for their dental issues. Noah needs a few braces and an appliance to bring his top teeth forward, while Halle needs a spreader to widen her palate, followed by braces to get everything moved into place. It's times like these I am thankful for dental insurance, which will cover about 1/2 the cost.

Thanks for the comments on the last post. Emily wasn't too pleased with me for posting it. She said she looked "fat." Oh, to look so fat.

You make me feel like dancin'

Here is Emily, all decked out for her first school dance. (Click to biggify... the picture looks much better full-size!) Brian is chauffering her and 2 of her friends to San Francisco and this place, where her school is having its Winter Formal. This is all new to me; the fanciest dance our school ever had was prom, and that was still in the school cafeteria!

I'm looking forward to hearing all about it when she gets home tonight.

I got links

It's been a while since I've done my fun links for a Friday, but I'm ready today. The kids and I did double school yesterday to free up our day for a trip to the local performing arts center to see a play of Charlotte's Web this morning. That leaves me with a little free time for this post.

So first up: Hat tip to Wonderdawg for leading me to this gem: RotoRooter is sponsoring a "Pimped Out John" sweepstakes. You have to see this one to believe it. You might never have to leave the bathroom again.

Hurry over to MyFreeMusicFriday.com for 3 free downloads today: Sara Groves, Jake Smith, and Shaun Groves.

OK, so I didn't have a whole lot to pass on today... but I'm out of time anyway. Enjoy!

Didn't mean to leave anyone hanging

Brian is much better. We both slept well through the night, although I admit I woke up a couple of times and looked at him to make sure. He went on into work today and when he was finally able to talk to his allergist, the allergist confirmed our suspicions that the reaction he had last night was due to some Motrin he took an hour or so beforehand. Apparently when he is already having issues with his urticaria, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) often cause this type of reaction. So now he needs to stay away from ibuprofen. Brian is just happy he doesn't have to take the 21-day prednisone regimen the P.A. from the ER prescribed.

I thought Thursday was ER night

I just returned from a trip to the emergency room a little while ago. No, it wasn't for me... or the kids... it was for my husband. Those who know him know he has this issue called cholinergic urticaria (basically hives, which often occur if he sweats) coupled with cold-induced urticaria (hives that occur when his body cools down). In its mildest form his hands and arms might become itchy, but tonight his entire body was covered in hives, including his face. He took Benadryl at the first signs of itching, but an hour later felt that he should go in to the ER. Thankfully they took him back right away. He wound up getting meds intravenously and slept a little while. The P.A. on duty sent us home with 3 epi-pens and a 21-day supply of prednisone (He sure isn't looking forward to taking that.). He is pretty groggy right now because of the medication. I am debating whether or not to stay awake all night to make sure it doesn't worsen; at one point after they had given him the IV meds, the hives actually began returning, and the P.A. considered giving him epi then.

Of course, if I stay up, I won't be in any shape to drive Emily to school in the morning. She'd love an excuse to miss school...

Tag, I'm it

So Jim tagged me with the "page 123" meme a couple of days ago. You know, the one where you

1. Grab the book closest to you.
2. Open to page 123, go down to the fourth sentence
3. Post the text of the following three sentences.
4. Name the author and book title.
5. Tag three other people to do the same.

So here's my answer:

Rufus' cloak felt as heavy as iron on his back, and he had to keep treading
water vigorously to stay on the surface. He had not the faintest idea where he
could be. He must have fallen into a river, for he could feel a strong current
under his feet.

This is from Detectives in Togas, by Henry Winterfield. (Eh, my computer desk is here in the schoolroom, so the closest book is one we're reading for school.)

I'll tag Sandy, Wendy, and Angie.

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I caught the last 30 minutes of American Idol last night. I haven't followed this show at all in the however-many years it has been on, but I might start this year. I just loved the little girl from NC whose daddy was paralyzed because he shot himself (after shooting her "stepmomma" when he "caught her in the act" of cheating on him.). I want to see how far she can make it.

And House just keeps getting better. This is my first year watching it as well... Emily and I got caught up by watching the first 2 seasons on DVD this past fall. We had House marathons on the weekends. She is a lot of fun to watch TV with. Wish I could talk her into podcasting our TV conversations, the way Zoot and her son are doing.