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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