Disney/Pixar's Brave Review

"If you had your chance to change your fate, would you?"   - Merida

     My family went to see Disney/Pixar's new animated film "Brave" on Saturday. To add to the hype, we went to Disneyland the day before. At the park, we stood in line to meet Merida, which was the coolest for our 'Lil Miss. She got to meet the Scottish princess and then shoot a bow and arrow. The next day the anticipation was great. I had been waiting for this movie to premier since I heard it was a concept. It's been on my mind for the past year. My patience paid off on Saturday with the viewing a long time in the making. I personally enjoyed the story, followed by the beautiful music and even more breath-taking scenery. I loved the mother/daughter relationship that is explored and thought the comedy was well timed. The commentary that the story is not original did not detract from my experience, nor that of my two little 'uns.

     I couldn't say it any better than the Upcoming Pixar Blog. I couldn't say it any better than they did. I've noticed that the marketing for the film has been great, with plenty of merchendise to grab. I'll be picking up a doll and some story books for sure. I give it five out of five stars, as I wasn't left wanting for anything. I downloaded the soundtrack the next day, if that says anything. Enjoy!

J. 

Kindergarten Graduation

"The tassel's worth the hassle!" ~Author Unknown

     So, my 'Lil Miss graduated from Kindergarten today. I know we all have mixed emotions as parents. There are the feelings of pride and forward motion in life. A sense of accomplishment and worth while time spent throughout the year. Then there are the Luke Skywalker yells of "Nooooooo!!!!!" when I realized that my 'Lil Miss is growing up.
     I helped out a week or two ago in her class, which was a blast by itself. We did snack time out on the small tables. Then the kids played on the enclosed area, complete with swings and play-set. I saw a couple of the boys laughing with a couple of boys from the "big" playground. Then it hit me. My sweet, innocent girl will be out in the great expanse of "the blacktop", as we called it when I was a kid. All the horror of what I heard, learned and copied came flooding back. I was instantly sick to my stomach. I wanted to lock her away in a tower somewhere. It took her teacher, sweet Mrs. Scott, to talk me off my mental cliff. She said that we had to let go as parents. As long as we're concerned, we're on the right track. She mentioned sheltering her daughter too much, and it ended up biting her back in the end.
    So with that, I look forward to a fun summer and try to get her to practice reading, writing her words, and adding stuff wherever we go. Seems like I was just a kindergartener, and now I feel like I'm too old for all this. Or maybe not as ready as I'd like to be. Hmm.

J.