Mama Reads

It’s probably not too surprising that I have read Beverly Cleary‘s Ramona books. Therefore when I saw they were making a Beezus and Ramona movie I was ok with it. And since Ramona is four in the book, I thought it would be appropriate to take Frankie to see it.  I am not impressed.  First of all, they condensed the plot of 4 or 5 books into one movie and aged Ramona to make it work.  Not only did this eliminate many of the charming scenes that make Ramona so lovable, it made the movie just a little to old for Frankie, who was very restless once she finished her cotton candy.  I did not like the actress they had playing Ramona and a little too much time was spent on the romance between Aunt Bea and Howie’s uncle (eyecandy!) to really make this movie appealing to young kids. I do realize I have rather high expectations so if you have older kids, it might be worth a try.  

The book, while our first introduction to Ramona, is actually told from Beezus’ point of view.  It is a great book for older siblings as they will relate to the exasperation Beezus feels at having a younger sister who is always causing trouble and getting all the attention.  However, Ramona the Pest and Ramona the Brave hold the most prominent position in my heart.  The movie tried to do a scene with Susan’s boingy curls but it does not live up to the book.  The moviemakers did step up with the scene of Howie and Ramona jumping out of the hole in the house and that is what Frankie remembers from the movie. 

In conclusion,   Read the Books!

Frankie:  Mama, When will this family die?
Mama: I don’t know. Probably not for a long time
Frankie: Well, Papa is really old so he will probably die faster than us.
Mama: Well, that’s probably true. We’ll probably be a little sad then.
Frankie: Why?
Mama: Because Papa won’t be with us anymore and
Frankie: (interrupts) And we love him and we will miss him
Mama: Yes, and so that will probably make us a little sad
Frankie: (with tears in her voice) and he won’t be able to give me lemon drops anymore
Mama: Right, and
Frankie: (feeling perkier) But his desk will still be here and I can maybe sneak over and get one.

Papa & Frankie -- 94 1/2 & 3 1/2

 

Dear Easter Bunny,  I know you were probably freezing your tail off since it was only 17 degrees, but next year can you please remember to take your garbage with you so I don’t have to think on my feet so early in the morning?  Thanks for hiding the eggs inside by the way. 

Also, could you please turn back time?  Because you know that tiny little baby we brought home from the hospital last week?  Well, today we bought her a bicycle.  Something that  big girls ride.  How did we get here so fast?  She never really took to the tricycle, but she rode her bike around the block many, many times this afternoon (as the blisters on the back of my heels from my new shoes can attest).   Also, she picks up words like pedestrians way too fast.  We did have to have a talk with Daddy since he taught her the word vagina, because he didn’t like any of the options Mama came up with.  Which was ok until she tipped over on her bike and started crying and howling “I hurt my vagina!”  much louder than Mama was comfortable with.   So we had a talk about how that word makes some people nervous so she decided she would just whisper it in Mama’s ear.  She loves to whisper things lately. 

Well, I guess that’s all for now.  Oh, could you please tell the tooth fairy to ignore Frankie’s wish for a new tooth?  I don’t think we are ready for that yet. 

Love, Mama

Update:  Monday morning snow is dashing the dreams of our young cyclist!

Coming home late from work, little naked girl dances into the room….
“Mama!  You’re Home!”
“Look!  I’m naked ALL over my body!”
shows me her feet
“Even on my bummy bum bum!”
shows me the cutest bum in the world then laughs uproariously.

How did I get to be this lucky?

Happy New Year!   Here are a few things running through my head.

Santa brought the best thing ever, flip-top markers.  Now even though Frankie is still resistant to putting the caps back on, when I want to replace them so they don’t dry out and I have to buy more, I can actually find them!  Awesome idea!

The other night we went to see “A Year with Frog & Toad” with one of our local theatre companies.   What a great time we had!  I love hearing my daughter’s joyful laugh!  You can read about it over on Sun Valley Mama.

And last, but perhaps most importantly, I got LOTS of books for Christmas!  Some I have read but liked so much I needed to own (The Hunger Games and Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games)) Some I have wanted for a while but have not got around to (40-Day Journey with Madeleine L’Engle (40-Day Journey)) and some are just my fun series that I love (Angel, Volume 5: Aftermath). I also have a lot of reviews coming up including the new Fancy Nancy beginning reader books Santa brought, 2 new Charlaine Harris novels, and I probably need to read my book club book soon, The Help.

 
So, thanks for reading and Happy 2010!

Dear Santa.....

Frankie has been learning a lot of Christmas songs in pre-school in preparation for their Christmas program.  We’ve been having a lot of arguments discussions about them including the fact that there are many different versions of the 12 Days of Christmas and they do not all include kitty cats and puppy dogs.  Here is an example:

Mama: Joy to the world ……and heaven and nature sing..
Frankie: No Mama. It’s heaven and nature SEE.
Mama: No Honey, They are sinGing because of Jesus’ Birthday
Frankie: (shrieking) NO! IT’S HEAVEN AND NATURE SEE!

This one occurred on the way to school so we had Miss Billie moderate when we got there.

The picture is her letter to Santa which she dictated to me and then decorated herself. Fortunately Santa had not committed to what he was thinking of getting her (which was princess related and she asked for a month ago) and was able to substitute (at a significant savings!) the asked for animals.

I had to post this because I love the picture.  Hope you’re having a fabulous snow day! We’re getting our white Christmas!

3 AM — Everyone is sleeping in the big bed.

Frankie: Mooommmee
Mama: What Honey?
Frankie: I was sleeping and nobody said Merry Christmas to me!
Mama: Well, everyone else was sleeping too.
pause
Frankie: Mama, say Merry Christmas
Mama: Merry Christmas, Frankie
Frankie: Merry Christmas too, Mama (gives Mama a hug)

(I should clarify: Papa was NOT sleeping in the big bed. And unfortunately this pleasant interlude was followed shortly after by “Moomeee, I’m all wet!” Somehow the pull-up she must wear when sleeping in the big bed failed the night after Mama changed the sheets. Oh well, Merry Christmas Everyone!)

I am writing a blog for www.visitsunvalley.com on family friendly pursuits in Sun Valley, Idaho.  Check out my first post!