UP Movie Review

I had the pleasure of taking my four year old son to see UP on it's opening day. He has been waiting to see this movie for quite some time (a.k.a. Disney and Pixar have been promoting the you know what out of it), and was thrilled to go see it. Usually Daddy gets to take him to the movies while I stay home with my 18-month old, so it was fun for me to sit next to him and watch how excited he gets and how he laughs out loud at the funny parts.

Now, on to the movie. In typical Pixar style, the movie is not only made for kids, but also made for adults. I was actually shocked by some of the adult themes that luckily breezed right over my son's head (ex. aging, inability to have children). I actually started tearing up in the first 15 minutes of the movie. So for my son, those first 15 minutes were a little slow, but by the middle of the movie, he was thoroughly entertained by the funny happenings and hi jinks.

Of course, this entire weekend, when people have asked my son if he liked the movie, he responded, "No, it was too scary. The bad guy tried to light his house on fire." So even though I can tell you that he enjoyed the movie while sitting there, he will tell you a different story. Four year olds!!! It will be interesting to see what he says a week from now about UP.

The characters in this movie are very charming and likable. While Russell, the Wilderness Explorer, initially adds comic relief to the movie, Kevin, the female bird, and DUG, the dense dog who is shunned by his peers, bring out all new levels of laughter.

So, from this mom's perspective, I think it is totally worth it to take your kids to see this movie because you will like it as much as they do.

Image courtesy of Pixar.com

True Mom Confessions Surprise Giveaway

For Mother's Day I received several nice things. But one gift turned out to be a humorous, highly entertaining, and reassuring gift all wrapped into one.

If you haven't checked out the book True Mom Confessions: Real Moms Get Real, you must pick up a copy immediately! The book is based on real life confessions on the website TrueMomConfessions.com, and let me tell you, there are some funny ones, some sad ones, and some bad ones.

And then there are those that I can relate to all too well. (page 54: "When I forget my Chapstick, I use my Lansinoh nipple cream instead." I actually have a previous blog post about the many uses of Lansinoh. And no, it wasn't me that confessed that!)

The book is broken into chapters that all moms can understand. Even dads can relate. My husband bought the book for me because he thought some of the confessions were hilarious (mostly because some of the confessions were things that he already does himself).

Think you don't have time to read True Mom Confessions: Real Moms Get Real? Take inspiration from the book and tell your husband you have to go #2 for some quiet time in the bathroom. It may not be a lounge chair sipping a daiquiri poolside, but it is quiet, me time.

And (2) lucky HC&B readers have the opportunity to win this fantastic book!

Here's how to enter:

• Post a comment here telling us why you would like to win this book
• In your comment, please include your name (or blogger name) and location (city, state)
• Post your comment no later than Midnight PST on Friday, June 5.

The winner will be announced shortly after June 5. The winner will not be contacted so please be sure to keep checking back.

Good luck!

Time for Better Batter Baseball

On Saturday we had the Meet and Greet for my son's T-ball team this summer. He played last year, so I feel good knowing at least somewhat of what I can expect. Last summer was a little rough because my son was definitely more into picking grass than playing baseball.

But a few weeks ago I was delighted when he saw a commercial for Fisher-Price's Better Batter Baseball and said he had to have that toy. (Sure he wants every other toy he sees on TV, but for once, I was excited about the toy, too.)

He already has a baseball tee, but he really doesn't like to use it. On the other hand, he loves to use Better Batter Baseball because it has music and it talks. It actually coaches how to get ready to hit the ball, and by the time daddy got home he could repeat all of the coaching and hit the ball with ease. And again, he liked it!

Of course, my 18-month old daughter can't be left out of the equation, so she loves shagging the balls after he hits.

So, if you want to get your little one excited about baseball, I highly recommend checking out Better Batter Baseball.

[In fair balance, there is one part of the toy that doesn't work well. The Velcro on the end of the arm (the Velcro snags the ball) detaches pretty easily, so investing in some Velcro strips is a good idea.]

You Don't Always Have to Buy It!

I sometimes (okay, a lot of the time) have buyer's remorse because I realize I really don't need that item, and should perhaps be spending the money in my kids' college funds rather than my whim. So I was very intrigued when I read in Self Magazine a nice little tip that can help prevent you from making impulse buys.

According to Judgment and Decision Making, holding an item for 30 seconds makes a person willing to pay 38 percent more for it. So the key would be to either let someone else hold the item or tell the sales person you will come back after pondering.

Now I have to just have to put this idea into practice!

Pictured above: Quantumm by Steve Madden - my latest impulse purchase!

Emotionally Spent After Two Season Finales

Okay, I will admit that I am a bit pathetic and was glued to the tube the past two nights...hence no post. But the LOST season finale was on Wednesday and last night was Grey's Anatomy. Of course, both were two hours, so there was a lot of time investment for me.

First of all, I know I was probably the only one who watched the first hour of LOST since the rest of the world seemed to be watching Danny Gokey get eliminated on American Idol (news flash: you would have figured it out when you only saw Adam and Kris at the finale next Tuesday). But I have to say that my investment in LOST the past few seasons is finally starting to pay off. I tried to explain to my husband what happened in the finale, but since he doesn't watch, he was so lost (kind of ironic) that I stopped even trying.

When I went to bed on Wednesday night, I was so mentally and emotionally connected to LOST, I had dreams about being on a plane with several of the LOST characters' family. (For example, Sun's parents' with her baby...random, I know.) And since trying to explain the show to anyone who hasn't watched the entire thing would be an entire bore, all I can say is wow! This season has started piecing things together and I am finally feeling some satisfaction from the show..finally! Now we only have to wait until 2010 for the last season to air - which is actually quite brilliant because the will get great ratings showing their cliff's notes' versions of this season's episodes to warm up to the next season.

Then there was Grey's Anatomy last night. Everyone remembers hearing that Katharine Heigl and T.R. Knight wanted out of the show, but unlike Desperate Housewives who totally let the cat out of the bag before Nicolette Sheridan's character died on the show, the producers and actors kept everything hush hush. Obviously, it seemed like Heigl's character, Izzy, was going to lose her battle with cancer, but it was nice to see that Knight's character, George, was going to go off to the Army with the chance of coming back to the show. Well, that is until he became the character that got hit by a bus!! In a show that has become somewhat predictable this season, it is safe to say I didn't see that one coming at all! But I am so sad they had to make him go like that. All actors/actresses should keep this episode in mind when thinking of crossing "Shondaland," aka Shonda Rhimes, the show creator.

Kudos to both shows...I was hooked the entire 4 hours!

Images courtesy of ABC.com

A Mother's Day Thank You Note

While I look forward to the idea of be "honored" and perhaps being pampered on Mother's Day, I feel like I also have the great fortune of being able to reflect on how lucky I am to be a mom.


Now, I will be the first to admit that I have a tendency of pointing out the negative before pointing out the positive, but I have caught myself in a rare moment, and I thought it should be documented.


Yes, my kids are draining, but I wouldn't have it any other way. People always tell you that when you have kids you will love them more than you ever thought possible. And while that makes sense, I didn't understand it until I had both my kids. I am fortunate enough to stay home with my little munchkins - something I don't thank my husband nearly enough for.


Being a mom for over 4 years now, I realize one of the coolest and unexpected blessings of being a mom is the relationship family members have made with our kids. I am so lucky to have loving parents that are willing to travel nearly 400 miles at the drop of a hat to visit their grandkids. My parents and in-laws are always there for us to take care of our kids when we need their help. We are lucky enough to go on vacations and getaways because they are willing to hang out with their grandkids. And how cool is it that my kids hang out with their grandparents?!? That is yet another blessing I am thankful for.


Just this week, I was paid probably the best compliment I could ever receive. Well, I should say, "we received" since it was sent to me and my husband. In a thank you card from my brother-in-law, he commented, "we have done a great job raising two beautiful children." Obviously, with our kids being just 4 and 1-1/2, they are no where near being raised, but it feels wonderful to know that we are doing a good job that others can appreciate.

Lastly, I am thankful for the person who made me want to become a mom...my husband. Don't get me wrong, I always thought growing up I would have kids, but my husband made me want to be a mom so that I could see him as a dad and raise our kids together. Sappy I know, but true none the less.

Now that I have that off my chest...on to the pampering!

Happy Mother's Day!

BRIDE WARS DVD & Paper Shouts' Gift Certificate Winner

Thank you to everyone that entered the BRIDE WARS DVD and $25 Paper Shouts' Gift Certificate giveaway.

Now on to the winner. Congratulations to Marlena U. from Iowa (aka socialwork4kids). You are our big winner! Marlena, please contact us at info@housescouchesandbabies.com to claim your prize.

And if you aren't Marlena, you still have time to take advantage of 15% any order from Paper Shouts. Simply use the promo code HOUSES by May 15 to receive your discount.

Stay tuned for many more fun giveaways!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day!

For all of you teachers out there...Happy Teacher Appreciation Day!

Yes, today, May 5, also Cinco de Mayo, is officially Teacher Appreciation Day. However, this week is also recognized as Teacher Appreciation Week.

So, for you parents out there, this means that it would be nice if your child brought something to his/her teacher to show appreciation for all their hard work and guidance.

Click here for some gift ideas from Activity Village.

Image courtesy of www.district196.org

See's Candies $50 Gift Certificate Surprise Giveaway Winner

Thank you to everyone that entered the See's Candies giveaway. Once again, you have proven that you love chocolate!

Now on to the winner. Congratulations Jenn from San Diego! You are our lucky winner.

Jenn from San Diego, please contact us immediately at info@housescouchesandbabies.com to claim your prize.

And Happy Early Mother's Day to all of you mothers out there!