Movie Monday ~ How the Grinch Stole Christmas

How the Grinch Stole Christmas is by far one of my most favorite Christmas classics.  I remember watching it when I was younger and now even my children love it.  It has been around since 1966, which would show you why it is a classic.  As it approaches its 44th birthday, I am sure it will be yet again a favorite amongst many households this Christmas season.  Even to prove its longevity, every year, Hallmark offers a Grinch ornament.  I have many of them and just love them.  They represent several scenes from the movie, and each July, during the Hallmark ornament premiere, I always seek out the new Grinch ornament. 

There is no better Christmas story than that of someone finding the true meaning of Christmas.  The Grinch tries to keep Christmas from coming by stealing all the decorations, food and gifts in Whoville because he hates the noise that time of year brings.  But when the Whos wake up Christmas morning, they are not the least daunted to see that all material traces of Christmas have disappeared.  They come together singing and enjoying what the true meaning of Christmas is.  As the Grinch sees this, he realizes the true meaning of Christmas himself and returns the Whos Christmas items and joins them for dinner. 

My children (and so do I) love the soundtrack for this movie.  Emily, my two year old, sings along with songs, even though she doesn't know many of the words.  Hayley, my four year old, dances to each of the songs.  I'd like to say my son sings and dances, but not so much, though I know he likes the music!

This year I decided the theme of our Trim A Tree Day will the based on this movie.  I have been able to find so many Grinch games, puzzles and stuffed animals.  If you are looking for a hardcover copy of the book, as well as a stuffed Grinch and stuffed Max, they are selling for $5 each as part of Kohl's Cares: Committed to Kids' Health and Education.  We already have a Grinch, but I did pick up Max, reindeer antler and all, for the kids this year. 

If you are looking for more information about this movie, the film or the musical, make sure you check out Wikipedia's site: How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Thank you, Papercraft Star!

As those of you may know from previous posts, I am fairly new to papercrafting and using my Cricut.  I've had the materials for a while, but with three kids born in three years, my time to actually work on my skills has been limited.  Of course, now my oldest is 5 and my youngest is just about three, I find I can make a little more time each week to attempt a new paper project.  In order to motivate myself and build my confidence in my projects a little, I started entering my projects in different websites challenges.  For someone  like me, I love that these challenge winners are randomly chosen, so as long as I am brave enough to submit something, I can enter.   Well, this October, I entered a challenge over at Papercraft Star.  I just found out I won the October Grand Prize!  I am so thrilled.  It couldn't have come at a better time, since my children have all been getting over colds here and I had no time to even read any of my favorite craft blogs, nevermind participate!  It was just the lift I needed. 

Plus, what was even better I didn't even know I had won.  One of the followers of Papercraft Star saw the announcement that I had won and had not claimed my prize, so she contacted me personally.  That is one of the things I love about the cardmaking/scrapbooking/craft community, everyone looks out for each other.  That's what makes sharing my stories, projects and ideas so enjoyable!  So thank you, Denise, for contacting me, and thank you, Papercraft Star, for giving me the opportunity to win and share my projects!

If you want to check out my winning entry, here it is:
Entry for Papercraft Star's Challenge #17

Toy Story 3 Movie Night

Since having children, I find that I do spend time with my friends, but it consists of being at the park, letting the kids play in the pool or other things that get a little routine after a while.  I decided to change things up a bit and what better week to do it than the week Toy Story 3 is released.  Before purchasing the Blu-ray DVD combo pack at WalMart, I decided to invite the kids' friends over for a movie night.  On Saturday, we are starting our homemade pizzas at 4:30 and the movie at 5:30.  We all have little ones, so a late start time would not be good for any of us.  Plus, while at WalMart, I also picked up the Toy Story 3 Popcorn Tin, which costs just $5.10 and has three kinds of popcorn ~ cheese, butter, and caramel.

Now I had not seen Toy Story 3 in the theaters.  After a very traumatic event at Mickey's Philharmagic in the Magic Kingdom a few years ago (no award for Mom of the Year that year), my son has refused to go into any movie theaters.  So in order for me to see TS3, I had to wait for it to be released on Blu-ray.  I picked up our copy Tuesday and raced home to watch it.  I've avoided all Toy Story 3 stories, sticker books, etc. to make sure nothing gave away the ending.  Let's just say even now typing this, I get a little teary-eyed.  I am a complete movie sap anyways, but wow!  This was amazing.  Of course, my little ones didn't get it, and I am fairly certain that with the material of this movie, it was geared to those of us who have been fans of Woody and the Gang since Pixar first blessed us with them.  Toy Story 2 is my favorite of the series, but I do love them all.  My emotional ties with these characters are memories of my son when he was just 14 months meeting Buzz Lightyear for the first time in what was then called Disney's MGM Studios, now Disney's Hollywood Studios.  He was a huge Woody and Buzz Lightyear fan.  Years later, both my daughters have become Jessie fans with even Hayley being Jessie this year for Halloween.

My dilemma is now I am hosting movie night, but I will have to leave the room at one particular scene, or risk sobbing hysterically in front of the children.  Those of you who have seen it, you know which scene I am talking about.  Actually, I think my crying started at that scene and then continued through to the end.  I won't give specific details for those of you who have not seen it yet, but my advice is to have plenty of tissues by your side when you do.  I think I may need a tissue right now!

What do you do to change up your gatherings with friends and your kids?  I am always looking for new things that don't cost a lot.  Feel free to share you ideas!