Inside All Of Us Is A Wild Thing

On October 16th, an adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story "Where The Wild Things Are" hits the big screen.


The book tells the story of Max, who one evening plays around his home, "making mischief" in a wolf costume (chasing the dog with a fork,and growling at his mom etc.). As punishment, his mother sends him to bed without supper. In his room, a mysterious, wild forest grows out of his imagination, and Max journeys to the land of the Wild Things. The Wild Things are fearsome-looking monsters, but Max conquers them "by staring into their yellow eyes without blinking once," and he is made "the King of all Wild Things." However, he soon finds himself lonely and homesick, and he returns home to his bedroom, where he finds his supper waiting for him, still hot. Wikepedia

After watching the trailer http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/wherethewildthingsare/ I am super excited! I think it looks great...and perhaps a bit of a tearjerker. They have done a great job on creating the Wild Things...they look just like the characters in the book.



This book has been read to children for decades. I was surprised to see it was written in 1963. Children have been dreaming about this magical land for just as long. If the movie is as magical as this trailer, they may have just made our dreams come true after all. I can't wait!

Dora Grows Up...and she's ADORABLE!

While visiting my parents today, they asked me if I had seen the new "tween-age Dora"...I hadn't even heard anything about it, so they threw me over the paper where I saw this super cute older-looking Dora...along with the headline "New tween-age Dora has some wondering what she's exploring".
WHAT? Are you serious? Personally, I thought the tagline sounds perverse and inappropriate...so I decided to peruse the article to read what else they had to say about this adorable new doll from Matell. And here is what I found:

"In TV land, parental involvement is a two-way-sword, as Mattel discovered this week. It's new "tween" version of the Dora the Explorer cartoon character to be unveiled in the fall prompted a wave of criticism. Comments included "Dora the streetwalker. A sexed up version of a children's icon. A poor example for kids."
The bricks began to fly after Mattel released a silhouette of the "new Dora", whose image was changed from the tomboy look with bowl-cut hairdo, to the new Dora wearing what appeared to be a scanty skirt, emphasizing her long, shapely legs.
"Did Mattel turn Dora the Explorer into a Tramp? read The Huffington Post.
Mattel and Nickelodeon say the new Dora is not replacing the Dora the Explorer cartoon, but will be a new interactive doll aimed at the five- to eight-year old or tween market. Somehow, that doesn't seem all that reassuring."
Take from The Hamilton Spectator, March 21, 2009, Brent Lawson

After reading this, I must say I was appalled. "Dora the streetwalker", "sexed up version", "Dora into a tramp. I really wonder what sort of people think those things from looking at this picture:



Does this picture show Dora to have "long, shapely legs"? Um...NO, and to be honest, what type of person would make a comment like that about a "10yr old girl" anyway? What sort of person would think that she is SEXY? I have a pretty good idea, but will not go there....Is she wearing a "scanty skirt"? NOPE, it's a tunic with leggings...EXACTLY what kids these days are wearing. And in all honesty, it's a lot less revealing than what some of the girls are wearing these days, but that is another blog post. Dora is wearing cute little ballet flats and her original flower necklace and bracelet. I think she is adorable!

I have read a lot of articles online after reading about this new Dora Doll. I am seriously outraged! As a mother, I have NO issues with this doll whatsoever. I think that there are not enough age appropriate dolls out there for this age group...which in turn pushes young girls to dolls such as BRATZ - - (dressed in stilettos, mini skirts, revealing shirts and camis)


Taken from: theage.com.au

- - and Hannah Montana, which is far too old for this age group.
Hannah Montana:

Taken from: theage.com.au
Which is played by the 16 year old wannabe actress Miley Cyrus....this is what the kids are seeing:

Taken from: upsmiley.blogspot.com
AND THIS....

Taken from: evilbeetgossip.film.com

What parents would rather their child play with Bratz dolls and Hannah Montana dolls than a sweet little doll like this new Dora. Seriously! What a flippin joke!

I think Mattel and Nickelodeon have come up with a great new doll. "For nearly ten years, Dora the Explorer has had such a strong following among preschoolers, catapulting it into the number one preschool show on commercial television,” says Gina Sirard, vice president of marketing for Mattel. “Girls really identify with Dora and we knew that girls would love to have their friend Dora grow up with them, and experience the new things that they were going through themselves. The brand captures girls’ existing love of Dora and marries it with the fashion doll play and online experiences older girls enjoy.”

So, starting this fall, Dora has this new look, a new voice (acted by 12-year old Caitlin Sanchez, who is actually fluent in Spanish), and a new outlook on exploring. Dora will teach some multi-word Spanish phrases. And every episode is going to feature Dora meeting a new friend from a different background. She will spend her time on mysteries like, “How do I save the planet?” The solution: planting trees! She’s also going to use a little more math. These things add up to make her a good role model in many ways.

I really hope, despite all this ridiculous negativity, that Mattel's new doll is a success...I think that this could be a really positive role model for kids to follow! Kudos to Mattel =)

Birthday!!!!

HAPPY 26th BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER, JENN



26 years ago I became a big sister! My new little sister was named Jennie Amanda and I loved her immediately -- or so I was told by my parents...but by the pictures of me smothering her and covering her with kisses, it must've been true.

Jenn and I have always had a great relationship. We have so much fun together and really are best friends, not just sisters. There is no one who can make me laugh harder than her...her hijinx usually leave me laughing so loud and hard, I am crying by the end. She is a wonderful person who has a big heart and is so much fun to be around.

She is my mirror, shining back at me with a world of possibilities. She is my witness, who sees me at my worst and best, and loves me anyway. She is my partner in crime, my midnight companion, someone who knows when I am smiling, even in the dark. Love you, sissy! Happy Birthday!!!!



HAPPY 28th BIRTHDAY TO MY BROTHER, DENNIS




Also, celebrating a birthday today is my amazing brother-in-law, Dennis. He is DHs younger brother. As DH and I have been together forever, I've known Dennis since he was 10years old - and I love him like he is my own brother. Happy Birthday, Den! Love you!!!!

A BEAUTIFUL March Day

Well, it's been 8 days since my last post. I really wanted to try and blog more often...these past couple weeks have been crazy. DH was quite sick with bronchitis, Budderoo's ear infections did not clear up and had to go back on a stonger medication...Last Friday, I finally caught the cold that has been going around my house for the last month or so...Felt horrible over the weekend and it then turned into a very bad ear infection.
Yesterday, I felt like my ear was going to explode and I couldn't wait for my last daycare child to leave so I could rush to the walk-in. Where the Dr said, my ear infection is quite bad and it may burst...EEEK! I have never felt such horrible pain. I now know just what our kiddies are feeling when they come down with an ear infection. Poor babies! Thankfully, my meds are working quickly (as I am on a very strong dose) and my pain has definitely decreased.

This weekend was absolutely beautiful. Sunday the temperature hovered around 12-14c...it was beautiful. DH and I thought, despite my cold, that we should take advantage of the weather and visit the Maple Syrup Festival at Bronte Creek Provincial Park. First, we went on a guided tour of 'Maple Lane' where Sheila, our guide, was dressed in traditional 1890s clothing. She taught us how to tap a tree, where HoneyPie was chosen to help her hang the bucket onto the "spile". HoneyPie was so excited!




Once done the tour, you can visit the Spruce Lane Farm where they have 100+yr old artifacts in the Farmhouse, a maple museum and a maple gift shoppe where they sell souvenirs and lots of maple syrup and sugary treats. We purchased a 500mL bottle of maple syrup for $13. I think the highlight of HoneyPie's day was the treats Daddy bought her - maple suckers and maple taffy (Mommy liked this, too)



Being such a beautiful day, there were hundreds of people there so unfortunately we weren't able to hop on their wagon down to the Pancake House. HoneyPie was so disappointed, but the line-up for the wagon ride was over an hour long, and the wait at the Pancake House (where they serve pancakes, bacon and sausages) would've been just as long. There were a few tears as we were leaving, but the promise of coming back again cheered her up, kind of. It was such a great day spent with my wonderful family! We had a sweet time! (hee hee)
Hugs,
Hollie

A Little Something to Make ME Smile

Today I am exhausted....I had the worst night with Budderoo. I am guessing because it is because he is working on his molars but being up with him from 130 - 530, and DH being up with him from 6 on was exhausting. And I admit, when I am tired - I am MISERABLE! I actually took a sick day today as I knew I could not provide quality care to the kids. DH has been sick since Thursday with a chest infection and double ear infections. (He actually went back to the walk-in tonight and they have ordered an x-ray for him tomorrow as they are worried about pneumonia)...So we all spent the day in our jammies and caught up on some much needed sleep and cuddled on the couch watching Madagascar 2 with HoneyPie while Budderoo played amongst us.

So, sometimes when I am feeling down I watch this youtube video. I am a huge fan of The Office and have a wee crush on Jim! Ha! Who am I kidding? I LOVE HIM! Not so much John Krasinski, but the character of Jim Halpert. He is adorable. I found this Jim/Pam montage on youtube set to Love Story by Taylor Swift...and everytime I watch it, it makes me smile. It's a great video by 69CupONoodles. I LOVE IT...ENJOY!




'Night
Hollie

A Year Already?

When HoneyPie turned one, it was such an emotional day. I spent most of the day in tears and hugging her...I couldn't believe that my baby girl's first year went so quickly...and now it is Budderoo's turn, it is exactly the same. Our little man turned ONE on Saturday and I couldn't fight back the tears. What an emotional day.



Why does a baby's first year go by so quickly. It still feels like yesterday that I held him for the very first time, saw his first smile and heard his very first laugh. Babies learn so much in their first year...rolling, crawling, sitting on their own, sleeping through the night (oh wait, has Budderoo even done that yet?), standing, cruising, and then walking. Each milestone my babies reach, makes me so proud. "You have never experienced true love until you look into the eyes of your child"

Becoming a parent has been the most amazing thing I have done in my life. Each day there are so many new joys. The love I have for HoneyPie and Budderoo...I can't even put it into words.



When I lay you down to sleep at night, I kiss your tiny lips and wonder at how very much I love you.
In the morning when you rise, I look into my heart and find that somewhere in the night I grew to love you even more.

'Night
Hollie

A New Start

Well, here it is...my first post. I am, sort of a newbie, to blogging. I did create blogs for both of my pregnancies so that friends and family could keep track of what was going on with me during those special times.
But...here is my first attempt at a more general blog.

Mainly this is a place for me to keep track of thoughts and ideas, and if I happen to intrigue some readers, then that is great! Some things I may talk about:
* Children, parenting - - I am the mother of 2 wonderful children. HoneyPie is a beautiful 3.5 year old girl who is so full of life and laughter and Budderoo, a one year old Mama's Boy...he is super fun and adorable. My children are my life and I can talk about them for hours, so I'm sure many of my posts will have to do with them in some sense.

* Scrapbooking - - I LOVE to scrapbook...when I can find the time. I also love creating cards for my friends and family...I will share some ideas and tips for those who love to scrap

* Daycare, Centre Based and In-Home - - I am an Early Childhood Educator who left her role as a daycare teacher to stay home with my, now, 3.5 year old daughter. After my maternity leave with HoneyPie, I decided to open my home to provide daycare to families in my neighbourhood. I have been doing this since 2006 as a way to stay home with my children, to provide income to my family and to still be able to do what I love, working with children.

* Love & Life - - I have been married to my highschool sweetheart for nearly 7 years. We have a wonderful relationship with the typical ups and downs of any marriage. I have an amazing family who I am extremely close to...perhaps DH and my family will spark some blog posting ideas.

* Weight Loss - - I am one of those gals who gain a lot with her pregnancies. It sucks...but this time around, I have been working hard to shed these extra pounds. I have joined weight watchers to help and am glad to say that I have lost the 55lbs that I gained with Budderoo....but am still trying to lose about 25more to get me to a healthy BMI. I will be sharing my journey and hope to add some tips, recipes, and motivation.

So, on that note...I think I'll be heading to bed soon.
Budderoo has been sick this past week and has been sleeping terribly - I know that I'll be up a few times tonight to soothe him back to sleep. I hope he is feeling better tomorrow. Saturday is his first birthday and we are having a rather large party for him, I would hate for him to be cranky. "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to!" Hee Hee

'Night
Hollie