what we've been watching

Much to my delight, Garrett enjoys watching Sesame Street. He won't yet sit and watch it like a captivated preschooler, but rather in spurts like the wiggly toddler he is. I sometimes sit and watch in short slices with him, and I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed one segment in particular. I normally absolutely cannot stand Howie Mandel and his game show Deal or No Deal, but this puppet spoof certainly had me chuckling.

Also, have you seen this movie? Because it is one which you must.


I sat down to watch it yesterday afternoon while Garrett napped and really, really enjoyed it. Based on actual events, it is the story of the spontaneous Christmas Eve truce declared by Scottish, German, and French troops fighting on the front lines during the Great War in 1914. Joyeux Noel is beautifully told, depicted in French, German, as well as a Scottish-brogued English. The carols which bring them together in No Man's Land for Christmas combined with the sweeping orchestral score is alone enough to bring tears, but the unlikely friendships which are formed are by far more compelling. It was a powerful film (with, I should warn you, a few warranted reasons for the PG-13 rating), and a lovely one to curl up to on a quietly stormy afternoon.