Hanna

When this film was released in the theatre, Eric and I talked about going, but never actually did.  Then I noticed it while adding movies to our Netflix queque and put it at the top of the list.

The story follows a teenage girl, raised and trained by her father in the wilderness, who then comes out of hiding to assassinate someone her father knew.  As you get further into the story, you realize that the girl's entire life is also a result of this particular person.

I can't say that this movie is a favorite, but it was definitely fun to watch.  Come on, who wouldn't love to watch a teenage girl run around kicking butt?



I didn't recognize the young actress, but when I looked up found out she was also in Atonement and the Lovely Bones.  I don't remember her in Atonement, but do in the Lovely Bones.  Cate Blanchett and Eric Bana are also main characters in the film too.

I am not one for girly chick flicks, so this is the kind of movie I watch for fun.  Although, don't get me wrong, I do like a good mushy love story every once in a while.

Expectations and Your Kids

For six weeks I took the boys to a toddler music class at a local community center.  They would get to use musical instruments, color, build blocks and play catch during classical music, jump and dance around.  It was a lot of fun, and the best part of all, from the perspective of a parent, there were no requirements for participation.  Sometimes Baxter would join in and other times he would look out the window.  Atticus would use an instrument, then dance a little, then sit in my lap.  And this was true of all the other kids there too.

For the last class, our regular instructor wasn't there, so we had a substitute and I don't think that this person had ever taught this particular class before.  Without ever specifically saying anything, this person changed the entire dynamic of the class.

Without words, this instructor communicated to the moms that participation was now necessary by all children.  This not only put more stress on the kids, it put loads of stress on the moms.  There was a sense of frustration in the room that had never been there before, as mom after mom tried to rein her kid(s) in, who up until that day was allowed to roam free.  It's hard to explain, especially to someone who isn't a parent, but there's this looming expectation to present children who are well behaved.  Let's be honest, every parent wants that, although we don't always get it.

As a stay at home mom, sometimes this feeling can be almost overwhelming.  Like my job is to raise "good" children, and if I don't, then I have failed at the only thing I was responsible for.  I know this is absolutely false, but when the only thing people tend to look at when judging the job your doing as a stay at home mom are your kids, it's hard not to feel pressure.

In an instant, I went from loving this little music class to really hating the way I was feeling during it.  I hate that something so simple as someone's expectations can completely alter your attitude.  And it's just not in a music class, it's in the store, at the mall or even at the park.  Our culture places a great deal of value on good behavior, whether the child is 1, 2, 5, or 10.  And if your child doesn't meet these expectations, even if it's for a good reason, the parent is showered with looks from everyone around, parents or not, that can range from disgust, to pity to even anger.

Having good manners and being well behaved is important, but sometimes a little grace can go a long way.  So, if you ever encounter a parent who may not have the most well behaved children, maybe try to have a little extra patience.  It may just help turn their day around.

Weekend Wear

As you may already know from my previous post, Eric and I went to the symphony this past weekend. I was so stoked to go and love any reason to get dressed up.  I know you can dress up to go to dinner and a movie if you want, but it's just not the same.  The symphony just calls for a little extra class.

Top: UO // Skirt: Thrifted // Tights: Target // Shoes: Target

It was fun to pull something a little dressier out of the closet and I'll get to do it again on Thursday.  Eric's company is nominated for a few local advertising awards and the ceremony is this week.  Looking forward to another reason to wear heels.  I'll take as many as I can get :)

Symphonic

Last night, I got to do something that I've wanted to for a long time now.  I've been to an opera, a musical, the ballet but I hadn't been to the symphony, until now.  Our local symphony played the entire score from the film, The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.  And in addition to hearing the score, we watched the movie as the symphony performed.

It was pretty incredible.  Most of the time, I completely forgot that the music I was hearing was live.  And during those epic moments, the music built so much that it totally enveloped you.  Music in films can be moving, but it's really nothing like experiences it live like we did.  I would recommend it to anyone and everyone, even if they aren't really interested in the symphony.  It's a great way to experience something so beautifully artistic, yet avoid the fear of being bored (which is something that I think a lot of people stereotype about the symphony).

We are not huge Lord of the Rings fans, but would go again in an instant, especially if the film was one that we were really interested in.  We thought that Gone with the Wind or Lawrence of Arabia would be awesome to experience this way.  I don't know about your city, but we are so grateful that our city offers events like this.  I can't wait until the boys are old enough to come along.

Billy Elliot

Oh my goodness, talk about a heart-warming film that just makes you want to dance.  This has be on my "to watch" list for so long and I can't believe it.  And when Eric suggested watching it, I only did because I didn't have anything better to do.  Shame on me.

It is seriously such a sweet movie.  It's set in a rural town in England during the 80's and is about a young boy who discovers his love for ballet, but must hide it from his father and brother, who are both miners currently on strike.  He secretly takes lessons from a local dance instructor who, after seeing his talent, suggests he audition for the royal school of dance.  This means he would have to confess to his family what he's been doing.

I can't give away what happens, because you really should just watch it for yourself.  Seriously.  I'm like, go-out-right-now-and-get-it-so-you-can-watch-it-tonight serious.  Or better yet, if you have Netflix, you can stream it.  However you have to do it, just watch it.

And if you don't like it, well, I don't know what to tell you.  Because I can't imagine anyone not liking this film.



Oh, and if you have a son who wants to dance and a husband who's not willing to let him do something so "girly," have him watch it too. It may just help to change his mind :)