Well, it has happened. We've become the stereotypical family unit -- double income, two kids, one pet (Abby the cat) and a van. Regardless of the fact that I vowed to never own a minivan, practicality took over and today we bought a 2006 Grand Caravan. We drove one at Christmas when we were in New Brunswick, and it just had too many things going for it, so we waved the white flag and started looking for one when we got back to Ottawa. And today is the day that we made the deal. So, from now on it's KD and Mr. Noodles for all meals. Just kidding.
You will also notice a new addition to this blog. I've added a guest book. It seems that many of you who are reading the blog are just too shy to add a comment. (I just don't get that.) So, I'm hoping that you'll sign the guest book so I'll have an idea of who's reading. Don't worry, all are welcome here. Unless you start being rude or insulting, at which point I, with the ultimate power, will delete your posts. :-)
My mom and dad were here visiting for the last couple of days. Once again I was amazed at how easy it is when there are others here who will happily entertain the kids. And mom brought along food too, so we didn't even have to cook. How great is that?! Oh yeah, DoT and I went out to a movie last night for the first time since before we got the girls. We saw the new James Bond movie, Casino Royale. Actually it's not that new anymore, but we hadn't seen it. It was incredibly violent. I was amazed that it was rated PG, but I guess in our warped North American society as long as it doesn't have sex in it, anything is acceptable for kids. Sheesh. I think I'm going to be a really un-cool mom when the girls get older, 'cause there's no way I'd let them see a movie like that until they are firmly established into their teen years. Oh, I can almost hear the whining now. :-)
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6 comments:
Wow you actually did it congrats on the van.
Mr. T
Hi K,
I'm with you on the movies. Even some of the stuff rated G was, until recently, too scary for T. We attempted to see Curious George a year ago and there was one section where people are chasing George and it's rather scary (of course the music that keeps you on the edge of your seat doesn't help) but mostly it just went on and on and on. Every time I'd think the chase scene was about to end someone else would get in on it. So after about 5 minutes of this, with T getting edgier and edgier, we left the theatre.
Last Friday (our home movie night) we watched Antz on video (my mom had brought it from their place). It's PG, and was really over her head in many parts (adult irony), but T kept saying she liked it and wanted to watch it. I fast-forwarded over the fight scenes (oh, the power of video) just flatly saying they were too scary and too grown-up and she couldn't watch them, but I did let her watch most of it.
I've learned, as far as going out to movies goes, not to just believe that a G rating means it will be suitable. (As for PG? Forget it, not for a loooooong time!) I go online and read whatever I can about the story line and any reviews, and make a decision based on that and my knowledge of what T finds scary and the types of stories she likes. When we rent movies, they're still usually from the Kids section, not the Family section, and very light and fluffy ones. Though in the past couple of months we've been able to watch some from the Family section (still rated G) with a few more "scary" parts and get through them. ("Scary" includes any form of conflict, like people arguing.)
Of course, this is a kid who watches NO television (other than the occasional TVO show at a friend's house) - and I'm happy to keep it that way. If I let her, she could easily spend hours glued to the set. So effectively last September, when Grade 1 started, I implemented the Friday film night routine with no tv at other times. There was some complaining for a week or two but then she got used to it. Not that she wateched much before, just occasionally a half-hour video while I got supper on. But what I didn't like was the complaining that happened when it was time to turn the tv off and come to supper.
Anyhow, that's my (long) 2 cents!
Q (T's mom)
I think we need to see some pictures of the van!
Congratulations on the new purchase, I'm sure it will simplify your life greatly, especially when visiting the grandparents, but also in the every-day stuff. Putting two strollers into the vehicle will be a breeze :)
MC
Well K&C, I'm sorry to say, but this is only the first of many times that you will find yourself doing something you had sworn you would never do....just wait till you start bribing them with cheap MacDonald's toys! I found it best to just accept, as soon as possible after they were born, that there are no depths to which you can't sink. And besides, a van is a very handy vehicle (rationalizing is an important tool in a parent's arsenal...) and it allows you to see around all those other vans that are blocking the view of those of us with normal cars!
As for scary movies, Drew was traumatized by The Brave Little Toaster, so our viewing was very limited for a few years!
Talk to you soon -
CB
Aha! Another set of parents won over from the "we'll never be caught dead in one of those" camp!
And welcome to the "yes, we've gotten over ourselves" camp. Who says practicality (and may I add, fuel-efficiency)was not cool!
MJ :o)
I knew that you guys would have to break down and get a van. It's an essential part of the "family" package. Very handy when soccer time comes around too :)
SL
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