Friday, February 28, 2014

Mouse's Corner: The Circus, a Movie, and a Book About Monsters

February was a relatively laid back month for Mouse.  She is busy learning to identify her letters by sight and her games of pretend are becoming more elaborate.  Mama and Daddy have to play along, just not at the same time.  When she throws me out of her pink castle tent in favor of bringing her dad in, she always says reassuringly, "It'll be your turn again soon, Mama.  It's daddy's turn now."  We still hide and run from the "monster" or "bear", but also enjoy a pretend picnic, sometimes play doctor and often go on make believe trips.  We even have pretend birthday parties with presents and all.  

Three weeks ago, we were invited by Mouse's best friend to attend the circus which was in a nearby town.  Mouse was so excited--she still talks about it.  It was a lot of fun for both the girls, although it was next to impossible to keep Mouse in her seat.  She was not loud or out of control, but rather just wandered from her dad to me to her own seat which she shared with her friend and then sometimes to the aisle just in front of us. Thank goodness it was a family circus and so Mouse wasn't the only restless child.  There was only one ring, but so much was going on.



Something I hadn't thought of, but fortunately the other girl's mother had, was to take the girls aside before we went into the tent and explain to them that we adults would not be buying them anything sold inside.  So, despite the annoying tactics of the circus vendors of shoving items for sale in the children's faces while looking at the parents, neither girl asked for anything.  Whew.

I had my doubts after that afternoon about taking Mouse to see a movie in a movie theater, but I had talked it up so much, she was not happy when I mentioned to her dad that I didn't know if she was ready.  Of course she was ready! She wanted to see the movie about the two princesses and the snowman!  So, after everyone was back in good health again, this past Sunday, we went to see Frozen in the theater.  Her dad got her a giant tub of popcorn, which we all shared.    I had been warned it might be too scary for Mouse.  The abominable snowman was a fright, and Mouse had to step out for a few minutes until he was gone.  She enjoyed the experience of being in the movie theater overall though, and sat still through the entire production (except when we had to step out).    We followed the movie up with a late lunch at The Spaghetti Factory before heading home for an afternoon of make believe birthday parties.  

We are enjoying a quiet weekend before the whirlwind that will be next week.  Both Marty and I are sick again with colds, wouldn't you know it?  Next week Mouse has a dentist's appointment on Monday (her third--she's an old pro at this now), Disneyland later in the week (a birthday trip with just the three of us), and then two birthday parties (one with her friends and the other with family).  As a result, I will be scarce this next week around the blogosphere.   I am sure you understand.



Maggie and the Monster by Elizabeth Winthrop, illustrated by Tomie dePaola
Putnam Juvenile, 2007
Fiction (Children's); 32 pgs

I could not help but buy a copy of this book for my daughter for Christmas.  I wish I could remember which one of you blogged about this book--but it was thanks to you I found it.  For those who do not know, Mouse's name is Maggie.  She was quite adamant the first time I read her this book that the main character was not Maggie, couldn't be, because she is Maggie.  She pointed out that Maggie's bedroom was not her bedroom.  Immediately after finishing the book the first time, I was told to read it again. During the second reading, suddenly Mouse had decided she was in fact Maggie and the book was about her.

Maggie and the Monster has become one of Mouse's favorite books, and we read it quite often, usually right before bath time.  It's a cute story, about a little girl monster who disturbs Maggie in the night.  Maggie is frustrated, and tries to get the monster to go away.  When the monster won't leave, Maggie finally asks her what she wants.  And then Maggie tries to help the little monster find what she's looking for.  The illustrations are fun and I love the way the artist plays with the shadows and coloring.

We haven't yet looked for any of the other Maggie books, but I imagine I will be soon!



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© 2014, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

26 comments:

  1. I can't remember when I started taking the kids to the movies but once they figured it out, there was no going back. We haven't seen Frozen (teenagers scoff, but I bet they would like it) but my trainer's son, who is 3, had to go see it like five times. It is a huge hit.

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    1. Sandy - Mouse enjoyed the experience, but I am not sure she is ready to go back. Maybe this summer. She wasn't as taken with Frozen as many other kids have been.

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  2. It sounds like the circus was a big hit! Mouse sure is growing up fast.

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    1. Kathy - It was! I love seeing her so excited and happy. :-)

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  3. My son was horrible at the movies. Many times, during the previews, I'd ask for my money back and every time, they complied because he was out of control! He is so docile and always has been but not when he went to the movies. He could not sit through a movie until he was about 6. I remember we tried to see Spider Man in Santa Barbara and that first shot of the spider in the lab sent him out the door and into the street!! He moved so fast.

    The Girl? She has been watching movies since she was 3. It's all about the popcorn. All she needed was that and she was good.

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    1. Ti - Your poor son! Mouse definitely let us know she was unhappy with the abominable snowman when he appeared in Frozen. I think she'll be more like your daughter overall, able to sit still as long as she has her popcorn. :-)

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  4. I can't wait until the circus comes here! I had kind of forgotten about it but it sounds like so much fun! Glad her first movie went well. Maggie and the Monster sounds right up the Tornado's alley. I'll have to look for it next time I'm at the library. Hope your colds go away soon!

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    1. Katherine - I had forgotten about it too until my daughter's friend's mother mentioned it to me. I used to love going to the circus when I was a child.

      I think Tornado would enjoy Maggie and the Monster. I love books about monsters, to be honest. It helps with some of the fears that kids may develop. Plus, there just fun!

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  5. I hope the Mouse enjoys all of her birthday moments! Hope you both feel better soon!

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    1. Kelly - She won't stop talking about her upcoming party! She's so funny. :-) "I want a pirate theme and a princess cake, " she says. And that's what she's getting.

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  6. Sounds like some special new memories. Sitting still is not easy for a 3 year old or me as well at times..:LOL

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    1. Diane - I know what you mean! Sometimes I can't sit still either. :-)

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  7. It was me! Gage was obsessed with Maggie and the Monster for months. Actually he still plays a little game that started with that book that ends with me exclaiming "MY BABY!"and then covering him in kisses. I'm so glad that Maggie loves it too :)
    She made it through the whole movie - that's great! We haven't tried the circus but we're taking Gage to Sesame Street Live at the theater this month. I have no idea what will go down since it's during nap time. It will probably be a disaster but if he gets to see Cookie Monster and Grover it will be worth it!

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    1. Stacy - Yes! I thought it was, and then I started doubting myself. Thank you for the recommendation. :-)

      I hope Gage enjoys Sesame Street Live! Mouse's best friend invited us to see a live theater show for kids (can't remember which one), but we decided Mouse wasn't ready yet. I thought it might be too much like the circus. :-S

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  8. I love the Maggie and the Monster cover. Glad the circus was a good experience for Mouse!

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    1. Jenclair - It's definitely a favorite book at our house! The circus was fun. :-)

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  9. I took my nearly three-year-old granddaughter to see Frozen... twice. The first time she was rather compliant but the second time.... she wanted to sing "Let It Go" at the top of her lungs :)

    There are so many fun years ahead of you and Mouse - I am glad that you are enjoying each special phase of life.

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    1. Molly - How fun! Haha! Mouse did use her normal voice a few times during the movie to ask questions. I'd prepared her for the music before hand by playing the soundtrack for her several times, but she wasn't that into it. :-(

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  10. Mouse is such a bright little girl! And the make believe sounds like a lot of fun (and also a bit tiring). I'm glad that you guys ended up having a good experience at the theater (minus the abominable snowman) and great tip about the vendors at the circus. There are certain stores we go to where I have to prep talk Elle beforehand but I wouldn't have thought about it at a time out like that, though.

    Enjoy the birthday festivities!! I hope that Mouse has a wonderful wonderful time.

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    1. Trish - I love listening to her come up with stories and games for us to play--but, yes, it is tiring.

      Mouse is pretty good about not asking for a lot when we do go shopping (although there is always something she wants)--it helps if she can be in a cart. If she's allowed to walk on her own, it's a more challenging as she wants to look at everything.

      And thanks! It's going to be a crazy week!

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  11. Sorry to hear you guys are sick again but hopefully you'll feel much better by the time the birthday celebrations start! Happy early Birthday to Mouse - enjoy every minute of it :)

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    1. Iliana - Thank you, Iliana. My husband is worse, unfortunately, but I am at least doing much better. Just have to get rid of this cough.

      Thanks too for the birthday wishes! Mouse is so excited. :-)

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  12. I never got to go to the circus until I was in my thirties and though I enjoyed it (apart from the clowns) my day was slightly marred by the fact I'd missed out on the magic as a child.

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    1. Tracy - I loved the circus when I was growing up, but admit, it's lost some of its appeal now that I'm an adult. Part of it comes from my worrying about the poor animals used in the shows. This was a small circus, and so the animals were limited to horses, dogs, and llamas, but still . . . It was fun though, and I'm glad we took her.

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  13. How did Disneyland go? Hope Mouse had a great birthday!

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    1. Sandra - Disneyland was so much fun! Mouse had a wonderful birthday. We all did. :-) Thanks for asking!

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