Emma

Almost 200 years since her passing Jane Austen is still considered one of the greatest novelists of all time. Years ago I read Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility--both wonderful. However it wasn't until last week that I was introduced to Emma.

How could I have missed this classic?

Maybe I read it in my early 20's and simply forgot--I doubt it.

I would not have forgotten Austen's Emma?

PBS Masterpiece Theater is showing the 2009 version of Emma free online through March 9th. The movie is divided into three episodes which can be viewed by chapters--how I watched it. If you subscribe to Netflix you can find this version of Emma along with older remakes.

Strong, witty, funny, and a self-proclaimed match-maker, Emma's meddling gets her into more than one sticky situation. It's a family friendly movie young girls can watch--no foul language or inappropriate behavior. Click here to view.

If you enjoy Emma, consider watching Persuasion too. While it is not available to watch online, the version with Sally Hawkins is available through Netflix. Masterpiece Theater had an encore presentation of it last night and our local PBS station went out with only 40 minutes to go! I hopped on Netflix today and have it in queue--along with many other viewers as there is a wait for the movie now.

If you watch it, let me know what you think!

Attack of the Zhu-Zhu Pets

If you have kids, you know what a Zhu-Zhu pet is.

If you don't know, it's a small battery operated hamster that was 2009's top Christmas toy. Translation...adults went crazy buying the little critters. We may homeschool, but my kids do not live in a bubble. The three younger ones began asking for a Zhu-Zhu pet back in the summer.

When I heard Zhu-Zhus were the rage I immediately marked them off my mental Christmas list. No way was I getting caught diving into a crowd for a $10 toy at Wal-Mart's. (You do know you can view Wal-Mart crazy people online? I'm afraid to look--I may see someone I know!)

The week before Christmas I was in Toys R Us and they had Zhu Zhu pets. No crazy parents pushing and shoving, in fact no one was around.

I looked both directions and grabbed four quickly--just in case there was a mad rush.

There is one thing you have to know about a Zhu-Zhu pet...do NOT put it in your hair.

Did I tell you my 10 year-old learned this lesson over the summer while playing with her cousin's pet?

It went like this...

She picked it up.

She turned it on.

She caught her hair in it.

All in three easy steps.

My super-hero sister-in-law patiently untangled E's hair while I laughed my head off and took pictures.

Back to Christmas.

Did I mention we gave my 2 year-old niece a Zhu-Zhu pet? My sister-in-law's little girl?

All afternoon we adults repeated the warning--do NOT put the rat in your hair.

It didn't matter. You know what's coming...

She picked it up.

Turned it on.

Sat it right on top of her head.

My super-hero sister-in-law patiently untangled her daughter's hair while I laughed my head off and took pictures again.

So, if you have a hamster stuck in your hair today, give me and my sister-in-law a call.


She'll untangle while I take pictures.

Interesting Sites & Sounds

Things have been busy around our house the last few weeks. We were honored to host family and friends followed by a trip of our own to see the grandparents. In the midst of it all I've been planning our school year slated to begin next week. Lots to do--lots to do.

Whether you homeschool or not, here's some sites I've visited this week in my search for better organization that you may enjoy. Plus, there's a good article and of course some freebies.

Project Girl pretty menu planning forms to print--for free!

SpellingCity is a free site that allows kids to enter their spelling list and it will test, teach, or play games using the list. Great for daily practice leading up to a test!

My Audio School. Molly has put together a subscription site filled with audio books. Great site--check it out!

Freebies this week include everything from Queso dip at Moe's to a free eReader for iPhones, Blackberry, PC or Mac from Barnes & Noble with six free eBooks including The Last of the Mochicans and Merriam-Webster's Pocket Dictionary.

Tebow Leaves Reporters Speechless. Good article on Florida QB Tim Tebow.