Paladin

I know I normally "review" entertainment items but I have to pass on this great product! I knew there were a few other diaper rash creams available besides Desitin but that is all I had at the house. Emery was having troubles that Desitin was not clearing up after several days. My friend who has many years' experience at a day care offered this solution. I found Paladin at Walmart at the pharmacy counter. It is over-the-counter but for some reason they keep it behind the counter. I believe it was around $5 for this 2 oz. jar but a little goes a long way! Add this product to your must-haves for your own baby or your go-to baby shower gift list! Your baby or your friend's baby will thank you!

Where Do Balloons Go?

Where Do Balloons Go?: An Uplifting Mystery

written by Jamie Lee Curtis

illustrated by Laura Cornell

"Where do balloons go

when you let them go free?

It can happen by accident.

It's happened to me."

The story speculates the life and adventures of a freed balloon and is illustrated with much whimsy. I had no idea the actress Jamie Lee Curtis was writing children's books but apparently she's been teaming up with Laura Cornell for years. I've also read their Big Words for Little People and thought it was well-written and charming. I did find the illustrations a little overwhelming because she packs a lot of images into each page. The fun of that is finding something new each time you read it! Emery enjoyed the pictures and I enjoyed the subtle message of the book.

A few other titles by this duo are:

When I Was Little: A Four-Year-Old's Memoir of Her Youth

Today I Feel Silly and other Moods that Make My Day

Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born

It's Hard to be Five: Learning How to Work My Control Panel

Enjoy!

The Cheesecake Factory

For most of you, I don't need to go on after simply writing the title. Any mention of cheesecake has some of you lined up at the door already! I have to say I'm glad we splurged on dinner that evening. The decor is appealing, the service was friendly and helpful, and the food was delectable! I enjoyed Chicken Romano and Nolan had a Cuban. For my romano, they pounded the chicken breast until very thin then coated with parmesan/romano cheese and served with pasta and tomato sauce. I shared my meal with Emery and she loved it too! Nolan's Cuban was everything a Cuban is supposed to be.

For dessert-surprise--we ate cheesecake! They have a seemingly-endless list of possibilities but we decided on the 30th Anniversary Chocolate Cheesecake (aka, heaven in your mouth).

If you are nearby the Factory, stop in; you won't regret it!

Leap Year

Starring: Amy Adams, Matthew Goode

I'm a personal Amy Adams fan. I think she's classy and a fun actress to watch. I've also like Matthew Goode from a distance since Chasing Liberty (even though Mandy Moore costars).

Chick flicks, by nature, are predictable. That being said, I still love them (mostly) and this movie was no different.

Adams & Goode have a great chemistry and the lines are smart. I think there is some comfort knowing where the movie is going so you can sit back and enjoy the ride; especially since the movie is set in Ireland, the scenery is a bonus! Plus, you can leave the theater with all those warm, fuzzy feel-good emotions that everyone needs now and then.

If you're looking for a casual, entertaining movie, go see this. One of my top picks in the chick-flick category. Enjoy!

The Magic House

If you have children and live in the Midwest, go visit The Magic House in St. Louis! Our 18 month old loved it and we were just as entertained watching and interacting with her! The museum is set in an old (huge & beautiful) estate and offers many hand-on exhibits for youngsters. We spent 4.5 hours and only paid $8.50 a person. If we lived closer to St. Louis I think we'd buy a yearly pass (only $20 for one child) and spend many afternoons playing (especially in the long winter months). It seemed many families were doing just that, or moms groups were meeting up for the afternoon.

My favorite exhibits were the children's village and the mystery lounge. The mystery lounge was complete with a case to solve, sleuthing, and hidden passages behind bookshelves. It made me want to be a kid again so I could climb through ductwork and find whodunnit. The children's village offered many play areas including a grocery store, pizzeria, bank, electric company, and post office. The also had a replica of the Goodnight Moon room that I adored!

For lunch the museum is equipped with the Picnic Basket Cafe and we found the prices reasonable. The food was good quality and at 1:00 we weren't bombarded with a crowd.

Overall, the day was a great experience and we highly recommend it! You can explore their website here: http://www.magichouse.org/ and plan your visit!

*photo courtesy of The Magic House website

Llama Llama

Llama Llama Red Pajama
By Anna Dewdney

We've been reading this book at every bedtime (and most naps) for the past few weeks. I love it and so does Emery! The rhymes are great for her to learn word recognition and patterns. Plus, the story is charming and the images are entertaining.
I've heard good things about the the Llama Llama books but haven't checked them out yet because I can't bring myself to return this one yet!
A must-read-along with your little ones!

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, and Jason Bateman

I love this movie! It's so underrated! I don't remember what exactly attracted my attention enough to see this in the theaters but we did and I'm glad! Now we own it! Emery requested this movie the other day and I fell back in love with it. I know I've already reviewed a movie this week but bear with me.

This movie is whimsical, has great music, no hidden innuendos, magical, charming, smart, and fanciful. Here are some of my favorite lines,

'All stories, even the ones we love, must eventually come to an end and when they do, it's only an opportunity for another story to begin.'

'I've hired an accountant...According to the word, it must be a cross between a counter and a mutant and that may be precisely what we need.'

'37 seconds, well used, is a lifetime'

'We must face tomorrow, whatever it may hold, with determination, joy and bravery'

Plus, Dustin Hoffman gives a great narrative on death but it's too long to copy--you'll just have to see for yourself!

Do yourself a favor and rent this movie!