Bits and Pieces: March

Okay, I have to say it. It snowed. Again. On March 31. I know this happens, a lot, in March. But every year I hate it.

Anyway, moving on. We had Clare's conference last week. She is doing really well. She is working above grade level in every subject, but reading is by far her best subject. My problem now is finding books that she enjoys and are challenging for her, but that are about appropriate subjects. She is currently reading the second Harry Potter, but I might make her stop with that one. She is also still really enjoying school, which is the most important thing.

I chaperoned a field trip to the History Center last week, and I have to say, I have a renewed appreciation for all the teachers do. It was stressful! But it was fun to see Clare's classmates in action, especially her best friends Natalie, Rainie and Colin. I hear so much about them.

Ben has been gone for quite a few Saturdays this month, which is always hard for me. I know he should be able to have activities outside of work, but I am with the kids all day every day, and look forward to getting a break on weekends. It has just made the month feel long.

That being said, I did escape for one weekend for my girls' weekend. I shouldn't complain about Ben being gone, I guess, since he never complains about me going away on these weekends. We rented a cabin near Luck, Wisconsin. It was a beautiful place on a lake. We shopped and had dinner at a traditional Wisconsin supper club (brandy old-fashioneds ftw)! It was a really nice break and I love getting to spend time with the four amazing women who were on the trip.

Ben and I went to see They Might Be Giants at First Avenue this month. Despite growing up in Minneapolis, Ben had never been to a show at First Ave!  I know, it seems impossible. The show was really fun. I bought the tickets for Ben for Christmas, so I am glad he had a good time.

My mom was here this past week, which was nice. She helped watch Christopher so I could do a few things during the week. I also went to my first PTO meeting, and I am going to start getting more involved with that next year.

And now it is Spring Break. We are spending Easter here. My friend Heather is hosting her annual brunch, and we are hosting Ben's parents and aunt and uncle for dinner. Then the kids and I are headed to my parents' house for the week. We are going to visit my 90-year-old Grandma, and I am so excited to see her!

Happy Easter!

The Aquarium on one of Clare's many days off this month.

Shopping.

One-on-one dinner with Clare.

Christopher with his bud, cousin Otto.

The Oscars: 2018

It's that time of year again! I saw almost all of the nominees for Best Picture. Even with the Oscars airing later thanks to the Olympics, I still missed two. I guess I was too busy watching the Olympics to get to the theater. Sorry, Call me by Your Name and Darkest Hour.

In addition to the Best Picture nominees, I saw I, Tonya. Allison Janney was brilliant. I really liked it, and it fit in well with all of my Olympics watching.

I have to saw, this collection of nominees were not my favorite. I much preferred last year's movies. Anyway, here are my mini reviews.

7. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri: The more I thought about this one after seeing it, the less I liked it. The acting was excellent, and probably worthy of the Oscars Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell are likely to win. However, the story itself was disappointing on many levels. I don't want to spoil it, but I'll just say that redemption via a letter from beyond the grave does not work for me.

6. Phantom Thread: Daniel Day-Lewis is always good, and I enjoyed the behind the scenes look at fashion in the 1940s. But then this movie takes a very bizarre turn that I am not sure I liked. Actually, I am sure. I didn't like it.

5. Dunkirk: This one was interesting. It's not your standard war movie. There is very little dialogue - the movie lets the action tell the story. As with most war movies, it is violent and hard to watch at times. It was an interesting way to tell a story, though.

4.  Shape of Water: This one managed to be completely unique and totally cliche at the same time. Basically, it's a love story between a woman and a giant man fish. If that doesn't sound interesting to you, I wouldn't bother with this one. (Also, there is some gruesome violence.)

3. Get Out: So good. So freaky. So happy this was nominated for Best Picture.

2. The Post: I really liked this one. I wish it was getting more awards love, because I thought it was really well done. It takes place in the 1970s, but is absolutely a commentary on Trump. As a former newspaper reporter, I always enjoy journalism movies. And you can't go wrong with Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks in your cast. People in the theater were actually cheering during this movie.

1. Lady Bird: This was beautifully shot, directed and acted. I was worried that it would hit too close to my future home as a story about a mother and her teenage daughter, but it really didn't. After this movie my friends and I noted that we are now old enough that we were sympathizing with the mother rather than the teenager. This was the first one I saw, and it ended up being my favorite.


Should Win: Lady Bird
Will Win: Shape of Water*

*This is the least confident I have ever been in my pick. We'll see if I can win the Oscar contest for the third year in a row!