A Sunday Morning Surprise

At daybreak we heard some rumblings upstairs. Some chairs were moved around, and little thumps sounded through the florrboards at sporadic intervals. Soon Kobe peeked his head through our bedroom door pleading with us to get up and come with him. We feared the worst as we half-awake fumbled up the stairs. He lead us into the livingroom, and there to our astonishment was a fully set breakfast table - complete with food. Everything was in the perfect place, and our son was beaming. Surprise!

Spiders and Butterflies

Lunchtime. The older kids were returning with Mommy from watching eagles, hawks, and owls at the middle-school. Kobe walked in excited and hungry, and the other two followed in his heels smiling big. There was something on their cheeks. It was a small piece of art, a spider for Kian and a butterfly for Karis. They were very proud of their little souvenirs.

Happy Easter!

Because today is Easter Sunday and tomorrow is the 1977 year anniversary of the resurrection, we dressed all the kidlets up in their Sunday's best. The kids were happy to pose for the camera, and to wish everyone a Happy Easter.

In Review

Marley and Me (2008) is a movie about a journalist, his family and his dog - Marley, a quite unruly dog. It shows the lifespan of the Yellow Lab and the impact he has on his environment. Anything that a wild beast can do to disrupt a household, this puppy does. But he is also a unifying factor that gives the main character purpose and motivation. It is not a film for the youngest kids, but entertaining for a little older crowd. Marley and Me is not a comedy, but rather a drama with humor interlaced. Overall, the movie is worth the watch and tends to pull on your heartstrings.

Rating:
8 out of 10

In Review

Yes Man (2008) - No man - 2009...

Rating:
2 out of 10

In Review

In Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008) a spoiled toy dog named Chloe from the ritzy outskirts of L.A. Is entrusted in the care of a family friend when the owner is called out of town on business. The self-centered sitter brings the dog along on a quick party trip across the border, where the chihuahua is lost. The remainder of the movie is spent for the dog trailing homeward through a journey of self-discovery (sound familiar?) while the care-taker, the landscaper and his own chihuahua (who is in love with Chloe) try to find her. On the heels of the small dog is a fighting Rottweiler determined to get to her first for the extortion money. The talking dogs find love, friendship, and even a new bark. The sitter finds the dog, depth, and sparks of romance - all before the owner returns home. Quite predicable, but not for a younger audience. Too adult themed for those who would otherwise have enjoyed it, and too flat and eventless for anyone else. The movie was like a fizzed-out carbonated beverage with all the promise of quality but containing none of the thrill or the flavor.

Rating:
4 out of 10

In Review

Bolt (2008) is an animated film about a dog caught on a Truman Show style plot being hid from the illusion of the dog's perception of the television show he is in and the character he portrays. Eventually he gets away from the set and is faced with real life as he fights his way back gaining a couple of friends along the way - while discovering himself, friendship, and the value of a simple life. Great Disney entertainment, although not for smaller kids due to some intensity. It is not as well-rounded as a Pixar film and lacks some of that kind of charm, but is much better than previous Disney computer animated features. The film is still well done and worth a watch.

Rating:
7 out of 10

In Review

Bedtime Stories (2008) is a move about a bachelor uncle having to babysit his niece and nephew for a week, while discovering life, love and happiness through imagination and surrealty in true Disney/Happy Gilmore style. Fans of either genre of films won't be disapponted when the Disney soft storyline meets the warmth of Sandler's usual quirky characters. The film might not be for the youngest audience, but is well suited for anyone else still young at heart. Packed full of special effects and humor it keeps you entertained from start to finish.

Rating:
8 out of 10

In Review

Space Buddies (2008) is a Disney movie about the continuing story of five Golden Retriever puppies getting involved in fantastic adventures. This time around they go into space to be the first dogs to walk on the Moon. By chance they all escape their pre-teen owners and tumble into a commercial space test flight as stow-aways. The story develops as the situations bounce off of their individual personalities and the talking K-9's land on their feet with more lives than the average cat. Because it is a Disney movie the plot follows a fairly predictable pattern. Nice light entertainment for the entire family to follow. The kids were glued to the screen for most the story, but fell away towards the end. Overall it is a good flick, although it isn't quite oscar-worthy.

Rating:
6 out of 10