Alice In Wonderland, A Movie to See

In anticipation of the movie release, I read the books (Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.) They were pretty wierd. And I'm not sure why, but they gave me nightmares. Could be the original illustrations by John Tenniel. . . Look at those distorted dismal faces.

I have to admit after reading the books, I had some hesitations about the new movie coming out. I figured the Disney cartoon (which I love) was going to be as good as the story could get. Au contraire.

Last night, Alfonso and I and my mom and dad, went to see it in 3-D. They managed to take a totally nonsensical book and turn it into a beautiful and wacky story that actually has a point!!! In one part, a young Alice asks her father if she's gone mad. He says, "I'm afraid so. You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are." Those words are so nice to hear :)

I don't want to sound cheesy, but it was a VISUAL FEAST!!! Everything was distorted and bizarre, but beautiful. The characters were fabulous, the Mad Hatter, endearing. I absolutely loved it - so much so, that I keep thinking about it.

But leave the kids at home if they are nightmare prone.

Suddenly It's Spring

This sweet little cartoon features Raggedy Anne in her early days. To help her sick friend get well, Raggedy Anne goes to see if Mr. Sun will shine again. I love this little show - especially today considering the fact that our once spring-bound, empty yard is now covered with a foot of snow. Spring will come. Spring will come.


(Keep in mind how long ago this was made and excuse the part with Mr. Wind, it's a little racial.)

A Small Dose of Disappointment

Closed for the season.

That's what the sign said when we pulled up to see the ice castles at the Zermatt Resort last night. Ever since I went with the Young Women in my ward, I have been so excited to take the boys there! Finally we had a good night to go see the amazing ice formations up close. We were one day too late - they closed the day before. I don't know why it hit us so hard but we were SOOO disappointed. Spencer kept saying, "Bum, bum- bummer." We tried our best to get a good look from the outside, but it really doesn't compare to seeing them up close. We also tried our best to keep a positive attitude. It wasn't easy. Notice the smiles in spite of the yellow tape. In Ben's prayer later that night, he prayed, "Next time, please help us go see things like Legoland and the ice castles before they close forever."

Thank You, Coach Hader.

Forgive my amateur video turn your head or monitor sideways and check out what my Will can do!!! I am super proud!

Good Answers

As the kids are getting older homework has become a bigger and bigger part daily life - taking up more and more time. Sometimes, the kids just can't take it anymore. Here is evidence:

Exhibit A. Problem 21 from Ben's homework:

Exhibit B. Problem 8 from Spencer's homework: If I let them actually hand in those answers, I can guess the teacher would smile before marking the answers wrong. I know they made me smile.

Dear Sun, I miss you.

The other day, Ben chose "The Car Washing Street" as the book to read before bedtime. We all sat on the couch and read about a boy and his neighborhood on a hot summer day.

"Matthew and his daddy sit in the steps in the sun. All along the street people are washing their cars. . . The block is filled with music and water and happy sounds."

"Maybe we should get out of the heat," Daddy says to Matthew.

"No, Daddy - can't we sit a little bit longer?"

Soon the whole neighborhood gets caught up in this massive waterfight. My favorite part of the book, the part that brought tears to my eyes, was the part about how hot the day was. I miss WARM sunshine. Most days in Heber are cloudy, cold, and laced with snow. The sun shines too, but the air stays very cold. I can handle it. I even like it most of the time. But this book made me wish for just a moment, that I could sit out in the HOT sun, and bake like a Thanksgiving turkey.

Mark my words, ROCHELLE WILL BASK IN THE SUNLIGHT ONCE AGAIN.

. . and it will look something like this.

The Hallowed Tale of the Forgotten Blogger

Once upon a time, people read my blog and left comments and I felt warm and fuzzy inside knowing that we were in some way connected. A big cute fluffy dragon named facebook came and dominated the land, consuming the attention of all the townsfolk, anhialating all blogging and inexplicably starving my self-esteem. Is it because my posts are boring? Is it because no one cares? Is it because facebook is easier and better? Is it because Josh Groban's voice is no longer pleasing to the ear? Is it because I smell bad? Whatever the reason, forgive me, come back to me. Give me a second chance.
PLLLEEE-HE-HE-HE HEEEEEZ!!!


. . .is it because I'm fat?

The Price He Paid

Author Unknown

Is a rich man worth more than a poor man?
Is a stranger worth less than a friend?
Is a baby worth more than an old man?
Your beginning worth more than your end?
Is a president worth more than his assassin?
Does your value decrease with your crime?
Like when Christ took the place of Barabas,
Would you say he was wasting his time?

Well, how much do you think you are worth boy?
Will anyone stand up and say?
Would you say that a man is worth nothing
Until someone is willing to pay?

I suppose that you think that you matter.
Well how much do you matter . . . to whom?
It's much easier at night, when with friends and bright lights,
Than much later alone in your room.
Do you think they'll miss one in a billion?
When you finish this old human race.
Does it really make much of a difference
When your friends have forgotten your face?

If you heard that your life had been valued,
That a price had been paid on the nail,
Would you ask what was traded?
How much? And who paid it?
Who was he? And what was his name?
If you heard his name was called Jesus,
Would you say that the price was too dear?
Held to the cross, not by nails, but by love.
Maybe you broke his heart, not the spear.
Would you say you were worth what it cost him?
You say No? But the price stays the same.
If it doesn't make you cry, laugh it off, pass Him by.
But remember the day when you throw it away,
That He paid what He thought you were worth.

How much do you think HE is worth boy?
Will anyone stand up and say?
Tell me, what are you willing to give HIM
In return for the price that HE paid?

Pack Meetings: A Suprising Oasis for Expressions Of Love

Evidentiary Support:

Exhibit A, Setting, Last month's Pack Meeting for Cub Scouts. (I'd like to take this moment to remind you that he's only 5.) There sat an bored and angry Will, clutching a piece of scratch paper, kneeling on the church floor. "Mom, can I have a pen?" "Mom, how do you spell "blah?" I whispered the answer to him and Will diligently started writing. Moments later he angrily handed me the following:

Exhibit A.

Exhibit B, Setting, Blue and Gold Banquet celebrating 100 years of Scouting. Ben earned an award. Spencer won our table's centerpiece (Two balloons tied to a bag of Skittles) because he had a yellow star stuck to the bottom of his folding chair. Towards the end of the night, I got a light tap on the shoulder. Spencer handed me this. . .

Exhibit B.

I like you too.

Somebody's Learning Cursive. . .

And his name is Spencer.