November 15, 2008
That’s what I was screeching yesterday, when I angrily admonished mrQ for not making littleQ wear a jacket. Alright, so it was an unseasonably warm 60+ degree mid-November day on Long Island, but come on, when Mommy tells the child to wear a jacket, Daddy should eagerly agree… right?
As the mother of a tot who at times seems just to be more of a “terrible two” year old than others, it’s very important to me that the guidelines of cooperative parenting be followed at least loosely. To me, that means that the we must have a completely open line of communication, and we each must not only be aware, but also respectful of the parenting decisions made by the other. I’m not exaggerating about the littleQ being a preeeetty terrible two-ster either. There are only two things that’ll keep this kid happy when he’s in a mood: cars and food. Sounds like a man to me.
I was so upset with him that I didn’t talk to him during the car ride to get dinner. But then today I gave in to littleQ’s tantrum in front of the Tonka display at Toys R Us. mrQ just clicked his tongue and shook his head at me, muttering something about being too indulgent and parental hypocrisy. Damn you toy trucks and cars, you are undermining my parental authority.
Technorati Tags: parenting, terrible twos
November 15, 2008
Grinchy folks whose cold hearts are melted by the power of love and the magic of Christmas: It’s the tried and true theme that is the loose backbone of Paramount’s Noelle. (Psst, it works!) Noelle is a family friendly and Dove Family Approved Christmas movie that takes place in a tiny fishing village on (or is it in?) the Cape, and begins with the impending closure a close-knit community’s church.
At first Father Jonathon Keene (played by David Wall) is sarcastically distant and full of darkly humorous cynicism. He’s definitely not one’s ideal vision of a priest, and he does in fact admit, quite ironically, that he actually tries to keep away from the “people side of it all.” Juxtaposing Father Keene is his old classmate from the seminary, the truly good hearted though unconventional (at least in Father Keene’s eyes) Father Simeon Joyce (played by Sean Patrick Brennan), the very priest whose congregation is in danger of losing their church due to it being not quite “financially viable.”
From the growth and change that Father Keene goes through, to the little girl he sees (but no one else can), to the woman who is at the crux of his transformation, and all the twists and surprises throughout, Noelle will definitely warm your heart, and it might even move you to tears. There are elements of cynical comedy, drama and romance in this Christmas tale, so it’s definitely a movie the entire family can enjoy. Noelle is a story of secrets, love and forgiveness and makes a very special addition to any family’s holiday movie collection. Even if you’re not a Christian, you’ll definitely still be able to appreciate the beauty of this film and the lessons learned by its characters.
Noelle is rated PG by the MPAA and is available on DVD. Buy it at Amazon.
Technorati Tags: Noelle, DVD, movie, religious, Christmas movie, Dove Family Approved, holiday movie, spiritual, Christmas
