holidays

Faber-Castell Shrinky Dinks Holiday Fun
$15.99
My nine year old and I just finished this project. We decided to complete it in two days. The first day we colored and cut the templates and glued the dowel to the base. The second day we baked and decorated. It's amazing how small the pieces get. I followed the extra directions in that we pre-heated the pan with the oven. We sprinkled a small amount of baby powder on the foil to keep pieces from sticking. We had no problem with curling or the pieces sticking to themselves. The end result is a beautiful, sparkly, little tree with brightly colored durable ornaments. We're going to keep it in my son's room. This would be a great project for winter vacation. We loved it.

Home for the Holidays
$14.98
I just watched this movie for the first time. I have to admit that I thought a couple of times about stopping it in the middle, and not watching the whole thing. I was thinking to myself, "What is it that people like about movies about dysfunctional families?" Well, it kind of all comes together in the end. Or, maybe it is just that by the end you finally get the point of the movie. (In fact, the chapters of the movie are separated by titles that appear on the screen, and the last chapter is entitled: "The Point." But I didn't think about it so much when I was watching it the first time.)

Something rare happens in this movie that doesn't often happen in ensemble cast movies. Holly Hunter's character at one point says, "When you go home, do you look around and wonder, 'Who ARE these people?'" In fact, each and every member of the cast has their character's story told in depth, and we the viewers get to know "who they are." The acting is fantastic!

Indeed, I think this is what helped me get through the movie. While at points I thought it was a bit torturous to watch a dysfunctional family go through the motions of trying to get along for the holidays, it really made me think about my own life and my own family. Isn't that one of the main reasons you might enjoy a movie? There were funny moments, sad moments, contemplative moments, crazy moments, and all the other kinds of moments that make up real life.

Anyway, at the end of the movie, when it gets to people thinking about their lives, it really made me think about my own life and my own family. I believe that this is why I really liked the movie. And I will definitely watch it again.

Watching the movie a second time with the commentary by Jodie Foster was as much fun, if not funner, than watching the movie the first time. She explains many of the parts of the movie that I didn't stop and think about the first time I watched it. I wonder exactly how autobiographical the movie really is for her.

The Holiday
$14.94
The Holiday is fast becoming my all time favorite Christmas movie. What a great story and told so well. The cast is great with Jack Black!

Peanuts Holiday Collection (It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown / A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving / A Charlie Brown Christmas) (Deluxe Edition)
$39.98
ha ha! Can't wait to rip this sucker open on Thanksgiving! Bought this as a Baby Shower gift for my sister and unborn niece but I can't wait. It arrived fast and will be loved for many many years.