Little Critter Fan Club . . . You In?

Several months ago, I posted about Mem Fox's Reading Magic, a book about the importance of reading to your children. In the post, I listed some of the most-loved children's books at our house and received a lot of great comments with the beloved titles in other families. You can check out that post right here.

Our list of favorites is always changing, but a new primetime player in the reading rotation around here is Mercer Mayer. Mayer writes and illustrates the Little Critter books. After a trip to my parents' house where Bub wanted to read Mayer's Just Shopping with Mom over and over, I decided we should check out some more Little Critter books from the library. We brought two home and read and reread those suckers until both of us had them almost memorized. I was so charmed by the stories and wrapped up in Bub's enthusiasm that I purchased two Little Critter collections at Amazon.

Just a Little Critter Collection was published to celebrate thirty years of Little Critter. I had to smile because the first Little Critter book was published in 1975, the year I was born. I actually don't remember reading them when I was little, but I am so thrilled to be sharing them with Bub and Little Bit now. Anyway, the collection includes seven different "books" in one volume for $9.99. Bub's favorites are I Was So Mad, All by Myself, and When I Get Bigger. Just a Mess and Just Go to Bed resonate with me!

I also ordered the Little Critter Storybook Collection, which includes seven "books" for $11.99. Little Critter is a little older in these stories (in school, having projects, etc.), but Bub is still into the stories. Bub's favorite in this collection is Bye-Bye, Mom and Dad where Little Critter and his sister stay with their grandparents for the weekend and do every fun thing you can imagine, including going bowling and to the movies (which seems to be a highlight for Bub). Bub also loves how Little Critter makes lunch for everybody: "When we got home, I made a special lunch for everyone--peanut butter and pickle sandwiches . . . with potato chips, marshmallows, and chocolate syrup on top. Grandma and Grandpa said it was the best lunch they ever had." As is always the case in Mayer's books, the fun and charm come in the way the text and the illustrations tell two different stories. The stories are always told from Little Critter's perspective, but you can get a sense of just how "tasty" those sandwiches are by looking at the illustrations. It's really fun when Bub picks up on some of the differences, as in: "Little Critter is not helping. He's making a mess." One more bonus is that there are really little critters--a mouse and, in later books, a spider too--hiding in each scene. If you want to stretch out the reading experience, you can pause to find them as you go.

My personal favorite Little Critter book is Just So Thankful (unfortunately, not in either collection). A new critter moves to town and has "everything"--the scooter Little Critter wants, a pool, a big house, servants, tons of sugar cereal, a cell phone, and a limo to bring him to school. When Little Critter invites the new kid over for a day of getting muddy with his dog, playing checkers with his little sister, helping set the table, and a cookout with the whole family, including Grandma and Grandpa, his friend has the best day ever and Little Critter realizes how much he has to be thankful for. I cried the first time I read it aloud. Sure, the early pregnancy hormones factored into the tears, but still, there's a great message and story there.

Check out Little Critter at the library if you get a chance and, if there are any toddlers or preschoolers on your holiday list, consider one of the collections as a gift.* Paperbacks of individual titles are usual $3.99.

One of my status updates on facebook a few months back was about Little Critter books and lots of people chimed in to name their favorites. So, do you have a favorite Little Critter title? What are some other favorite kiddie reads at your house? Please share in the comments.




*No one is paying me to write this post, just to be clear. I just really love Mercer Mayer books.

Assuming they're more nice than naughty . . .

Tuesday is my LONG day so this post will be short. I'm just starting to think about the holidays and have started receiving requests for the boys' Christmas lists.

The dilemma is that we need to prepare this house for sale which will involve a MONUMENTAL de-cluttering effort. I imagine that in addition to getting rid of stuff, we may also have to put some of the boys' stuff into storage. If people want to give my children gifts, I am thrilled and want the boys to enjoy a few new things. However, I do not want to bring a lot of big stuff into the house, nor any games/toys that involve multiple pieces (legos, blocks, crafts). I do want there to be some key items around that can keep them occupied while other stuff (like train table, for example) is in storage.

Some ideas I've thought of so far include:

* DVDs -- Bub is starting to be able to watch and actually comprehend movies, and it is fun to talk to him about what happened and see what he remembers/understands. I'm thinking of UP, Cars (erased our DVR copy on accident), Monsters vs. Aliens . . . but I don't want the boys to be watching movies the entire time the house is on the market!

* Photo Albums/Books -- My sister LAP made Bub a Kodak Gallery mini book a few years back, and he still loves flipping through it and naming all the family members featured on its pages, ditto with a book/album that Grandma put together for him. I designed a book at Kodak Gallery called "Best Buddies" that features Bub and Little Bit together that I hope they will both enjoy now and in the future. I could put together some other book/photo collections: updated family book, cousin-themed one, our neighborhood, our house, favorite things, etc. They might get a kick out having books that are about their life!

* Books in general -- They take up less space than other stuff, and we can definitely give our current library a weeding-out to create space for new books.

That's all I have so far. I have been wondering about the Leapster that's for four year-olds and older . . . Do any of you have kids with Leapsters? Do they like them? Use them? Any particular games? Are they worth it?

And, although these items are not small, they would be easy to put in the garage during a showing and may provide hours of indoor fun . . . have any of you seen/owned those little Plasma Cars (look like small scooter things that supposedly steer in some cool way)? The reviews on Amazon and Costco.com are really, really positive. I'm just wondering if plasma cars are worth exploring.

At the end of the day, my boys are little and do not have a lot of expectations for the holidays. The festivities, travel, people, and wrapping paper will likely be the highlights for them. I know that. But I do want to give them a few gifts and want to be able to give good ideas to relatives who have requested them.

So, do you have any good ideas for me?

Crock Pot Porn

First of all, don't invite me over unless you really want me to show up. I don't get out as much as I would like so I tend to accept all invitations, assuming child care can be worked out. All I'm looking for out of any social outing is some decent conversation and decent food, though great food and conversation are even better.

Warning: If you are serving some sort of warm dip accompanied by sturdy chips or crackers, I may sit right next to your crock pot and never leave, except to get more to drink. I will leave your gathering with very warm, happy memories. I will tell my mom and sisters all about what I ate at your house. Like I said, I don't get out as much as I would like.

I found a new blog the other day called Crock Pot 365. I have been visiting it on and off for two days, just randomly clicking on categories, recipes, and success stories.

Crock Pot 365 is my new food porn, in part because of the attention given to some warm dips that sound just heavenly (if not healthy).

The current recipes fueling my food fantasies include:

Sundried Tomato Dip

Brie with Warm Apricot Topping

Sausage, Cream Cheese, and Rotel Dip (aka "mommy crack")

Little Dipper Cranberry Orange Dip

Super Duper Garlic Dip (note description of her crock pot almost licked clean after the gathering)

And, it's not a warm dip, but I admit to being mighty intrigued by the Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Lasagna.

I could go on and on, but I'm too hungry and I still have to grade twenty papers, clean up the kitchen, and hide the laundry that needs to be stain-treated from the cleaning lady. Don't ask.

I do want to point out that many of these dips also involve cream cheese, another staple in my food fantasies and memories.

Where do you find your food porn?

I love the theaters where you can butter your own popcorn.

Entertainment Weekly's Holiday Movie Preview edition arrived here yesterday, and this morning's Chicago Tribune had a winter movie preview section as well.

What must it be like to live a life where you actually need to plan and strategize for what movies (plural) you are going to see in the upcoming months?!

I can name every movie I have seen in the theater since 2005.

2005, pregnant with Bub: Walk the Line

2006, about to have Bub any minute: Casanova

2007 (I think): The Pursuit of Happyness [sic]

2008, pregnant with Little Bit: Juno

2009: The Proposal

It's possible I may be forgetting one or two films, but I sincerely doubt it. Hubby and I don't go to the movies because it just doesn't seem like the ideal use of paid babysitter time. We'd rather eat well, talk to each other, and/or hang out with friends. I could arrange to go to the movies during the week after hubby gets home, but that would require advanced planning and energy and effort. I could volunteer to take Bub to his first movie, except hubby wants to take him too so it's a stalemate there unless we arrange child care for Little Bit ( who is definitely not ready for the movies).

The point is that it will be a holiday miracle if I see even one movie in the next couple of months.

In case opportunity knocks, here are the movies I'd be interested in pairing with my extra large bucket of self-buttered popcorn and a large Diet Coke:

It's Complicated with Alec Baldwin and Meryl Streep -- most likely candidate because it is a comedy. I go to the movies so rarely that I tend to want the experience to be a fun escape. Also, I really enjoy Alec Baldwin even though he is probably an asshole in real life.

Did You Hear About the Morgans? with Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant -- Scratch what I said above. This movie about a married couple in a witness protection program would be number one on my list. I will forgive Hugh anything.

The Blind Side with Sandra Bullock -- I haven't read The Blind Side, but hubby enjoyed the book. It's not often that hubby and I are willing to see the same movie so this is a good candidate as well. Plus, I like Sandra Bullock and am fond of heartwarming stories.

A Single Man with Colin Firth -- Colin Firth. Enough said.

Youth in Revolt with Michael Cera. Michael Cera. Enough said.

I know that seeing The Road with Viggo Mortensen would be powerful, and I feel drawn to/obligated to see Precious (Oprah factor, Mariah Carey with mustache, Mo'Nique in dramatic role), but I don't know if I can get through that kind of gut-wrenching stuff right now. Though, I have to say that Owen Gleiberman's review of Precious in EW does make want to try to see the film. Gleiberman writes, "Sometimes, a movie has to take you down--and I mean down, really far--to lift you up. Precious is that kind of movie." Then, at the end of the review, he writes, "It's a potent and moving experience, because by the end you feel you've witnessed nothing less than the birth of a soul." My soul could probably use that kind of movie-watching experience.

At the theater around the corner from us, people were lined up to see Antichrist, but I will not be joining that line. It's just not for me.

I would see New Moon as I enjoyed the Twilight movie and think that Taylor Lautner is cute, but I'm happy to wait for the DVD too.

If Bub were old enough, I would take him to see Jim Carrey in Disney's A Christmas Carol, but it sounds like it's a teense scary.

If we do take Bub to the movies this holiday season, I can see us ending up at either The Princess and the Frog (with his cousins) or Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (he's seen the first one many times and loves it except when Alvin says stupid: "Mommy, that not nice to say 'stupid.'").

So, what's on your holiday movie season wish list? What are the chances you will actually see a movie in the theaters?

I've earned my personal pan pizza. Go forth and Book-It.

One of items lost when our hard drive bit the dust a week or so ago was the document where I had been recording the titles of the books I've read in 2009. I've been working on recreating the list this evening and decided that today's NaBloPoMo (see graphic to right) would be a list of my favorite reads so far this year. You can click on each title to link to the original NTB post written about each book.

In no particular order, here are some of my favorite reads this year:

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

Commencement by J.Courtney Sullivan

This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper

How I Became a Famous Novelist by Steve Hely

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Admission by Jean Hanff Korelitz

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

Plus, there's one more title that I loved but never posted about: Quartet in Autumn by Barbara Pym. This novel tells the story of four co-workers (not friends) who work in mindless office jobs as they transition into retirement. At moments, the novel is amusing as Pym so perfectly captures the eccentricities and habits of retirees. At other moments, the novel is truly heartbreaking in its portrayal of loneliness and disconnection.

You know what's coming, tell me please what you've been reading and enjoying this year . . .

I'm not Rick Steves.

I'm not a photographer, nor am I travel writer, but I thought you might enjoy some highlights from the trip hubby and I took about a month ago. We attended a wedding about thirty miles (?) outside New York City and then spent one night in the city.*

We stayed at the Hilton in Rye, NY, and I tell you, I was quite taken with the pool area there. I wanted to take photos during daylight, but that is when the pool is being used by families with small children. I would have felt awkward snapping photos in that scenario. Both the pictures I snapped turned out like junk but please note the elaborate lattice work, the carpeting of green astroturf, and the elaborate floral window treatments with coordinating chaise cushions.

When I looked at the pool area, I could totally picture women (at some unspecified time in past) lounging, boozing, smoking, and discussing the Scarsdale diet (Scarsdale is near Rye).

The wedding itself was beautiful and the reception was a true celebration. Fantastic music, lots of dancing, and an abundance of wonderful food. I should have photographed all the appetizers, but I was too busy eating them, especially miniature slices of hot pretzel bread and their accompanying cheese sauce. I did snap a random photo of the dessert served in addition to the wedding cake.

On Sunday, we headed to New York City where we rested, walked around, visited Actchy and Co. (including the adorable "Acey") in their new digs, and went out for a nice dinner.

That afternoon, we happened upon a Polish Pride Parade and paused to appreciate hubby's heritage (his mom's maiden name ends with a "ski").

That evening, we ate dinner at Perilla, the restaurant of Harold Dieterle, the original and coolest Top Chef. Our favorite thing was the Farro Risotto which involves artichoke confit, parmesan, and chili-grape salad. We didn't order the risotto but our server knew it was our first visit and brought it to us anyway (for free!) because she thought we should try it. Delicious!

After dinner, we walked for a bit before getting a cab back to the hotel. Look what we walked past: the place where Harry met Sally!


My only advice to those traveling to NYC in the near future is to beware of the televisions inside the cabs (maybe there are televisions in cabs in every city now, I wouldn't know). If you are prone to car sickness, you really shouldn't watch, no matter how intrigued you are by the segment on the art appraiser who found herself out of work and began appraising art for a consignment store that raises funds for HIV. Just look out the window or close your eyes instead. Trust me.




*I didn't include any photos of the wonderful people we saw and hung out with as I only violate the privacy of my husband and sons by posting of photos of them without their permission.

Miss Bliss

Some evenings I am too lazy to wash my face before going to bed. Sad but true. In case you are worried that I am going to bed with a face caked with makeup, you should know that whatever makeup I put on (and I do devote 3-5 minutes to makeup almost every morning) is eaten up by the pores of my face within an hour. The only exception to the dissolving makeup phenomenon is my mascara which smudges so that I look sickly and tired.

Back in my younger years, I tried a variety of skin care regimes--Mary Kay and Clinique, in particular. These regimes involved multiple products and steps--masks, toners, cleansers, moisturizers, and cotton balls. I don't know that my skin was any better for it, though the stinging of the toner did make me feel like I was doing something.

Around my mid-twenties, I got lazy and alternated between buying cleansers at the grocery store (Neutrogena, Oil of Olay--something in the $8 range) and washing my hands with regular soap and then using my clean hands to splash water on my face.

The clean-hands-water-on-face is pretty much the norm for me these days. Kind of interesting that the more I need skin care (increasing evidence of lines and wrinkles), the less I bother with it.

Until now, sort of. About a month ago, hubby and I traveled to New York for a wedding. We spent two days outside of the city in West Chester and then one night in Manhattan at a W Hotel. W Hotels stock Bliss Spa products in their rooms, and I took a fancy to the "fabulous foaming face wash for all skin types." It has just a little bit of grit, forms a satisfying lather on your face, and, best of all, smells WONDERFUL--rose hips, chamomile, and passion flower (according to the label). I dropped the sample in my clear plastic, airline-approved baggie and have been enjoying it ever since. The next week, hubby was staying at another W for work and, per my request, brought home the sample that came in that hotel room as well. Now, I have a miniature fabulous foaming face wash downstairs and upstairs. NTB.

For now, I am going to try to continue using samples that hubby brings home when he stays at W's. If my supply run dangerously low, I may buy a full-sized bottle at the Bliss Spa location in Chicago or online or something.

Do you wash your face? Of course you do. What do you use?


P.S. -- I warned you that if I were going to post every day, some of the posts would be weak!

P.S.#2 -- Am I remembering correctly that there was a television show with "Miss Bliss" in the title that starred Hayley Mills?