What's in that movie?

Like millions of other moms, I took my kid to see Wall-E at the theater over the summer. It looked cute, got great reviews, and was rated G. It has an adorable little robot and the story covers the importance of taking care of your body and the environment. And it scared the bejeezus out of my daughter. We're talking tears-streaming-down-her-face scared.

It would have been handy to know there was a scene in which a space ship appears to land on Wall-E and it's unclear if he will be OK. Even though the movie is rated G and was a lot of fun for the over-4 crowd, I wish I had know about Kids-In-Mind.com before heading to the box office.
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The site not only gives you a quick-look visual of why the movie is given a certain rating based on how much sex, nudity, violence, gore and profanity it contains, it actually describes the "offending" scenes so you know what to expect, how your child might react, and make decisions accordingly. And a huge plus, they also rate the short that precedes the main feature!

I'm thinking this site wouldn't be bad to evaluate date night options, either. Only our criteria would be quite a bit different, if you know what I mean (wink wink).

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Anti-Princess Books for Your Little Princess

If you have a preschool girl and you're anything like me, you are a little sick of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and all their sorority sisters in fairy tale land. They all fall in love at first site to some gorgeous babe of a prince who is somehow not arrogant, self obsessed or spoiled and they go on to build false expectations about love, relationships and, well, being a girl.

Like many 4-year olds, by daughter is in love with Princesses. She had a Princess birthday party, wants to watch all the princess movies, read all the princess books and buy all the princess toys. Fortunately, a good friend gave my daughter "The Paper Bag Princess" by Robert N. Munsch a few years ago, which has been one of my all-time favorites (thanks Jen!), but I've struggled to find more like it.

So kudos to the Amelia Bloomer Project - a list of anti-princess books for girls from preschool to young adult. I'm definitely going to have to check out this year's recommended title "Princess Pigsty" and a 2005 listing "The Princess Knight", both by Cornelia Funke.

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Solar Table

Too cool - you can power your laptop or other electronics with your patio table. The SunTable stores backup energy (you need to put in in direct sunlight to charge, of course) you can use for laptops, cell phones, radios, lights, etc. It can be used as a back-up in black-outs too.

It's meant to be kept outdoors, so it's built for the elements, and it's built to last. The only thing not so cool about this table? The price! $2200 - ouch!

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Day Spa for Kids

I've been waiting for the day my daughter is old enough to go to the spa with me. I dream that we will sit at the pedicure station, chatting idly about what boy she likes that week while sipping on iced lattes.

I can't wait.

Well, now, apparently I don't have to! OK, at 4 years old I may need to trade boy talk and lattes for Dora the Explorer and ice cream, but at least we're close.

There's a new spa in town called La Di Spa that I can't wait to check out. I found it, by the way, from a site featured in a previous blog post.

La Di Spa is the first kids day spa in Austin. They actually cater to kids! I'm planning to get my kid the Gummy Worm Pedi. Plus, they use natural and organic products free of harmful toxins (another biggy for me if you haven't seen Is Your Lotion Toxic).

I haven't gone yet, but I'll be sure to check back in when I do!

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If an ad agency were to create a stop sign

I'm working on my consensus-building skills, but there's only so much a girl can take. Really, folks, how much can we jam into an ad? Jill likes green, but Mike hates green. Tom thinks the creative is fabulous, but Ann thinks it's "boring". Argh!

This video really pretty much sums up my week. I can soooo relate! http://my.break.com/content/view.aspx?ContentID=542649

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Jewelry Keeps Your Data

While we are on the topic of functional jewelry, I've just become privy to the trend in USB memory keys that double as pendants and keychains. Yes, bling has turned hi-tech.

My favorite must be these stainless steel pendants with crystals (ooh, pretty, shiny objects!) by Horchow.

I also like the subtle yet classy keychain Titanium Kay has come up with - one that can give the non-tech Tiffany keychains a run for it's money.
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Then, for the uber-hip dad, there the dog tag version by Olinari. Perhaps the new Father's Day alternative to the neck tie? Or perhaps this guy-friendly necklace by Versani.

But it doesn't stop at jewelry. Check out this wine-stopper/USB key to be released for sale in Europe this summer. I can't wait to see what they come up with next!

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