I’ve written about my love-hate relationship with the Twilight series. Thanks to two of my friends, I have another chapter in my love-hate relationship. This time it’s with the movies.

Last night my crazy friend Mandy (@fouragainsttwo) and our other friend (@outnumberedmom) stood in line (with Mandy’s mom and two of her guests) for the New Moon premiere. I should start out by saying that I still haven’t watched the first movie (due to a broken DVD player and the mental incapacity to remember that I can watch DVDs on all of our computers). I should next state that out of all four books, New Moon was my least favorite. By least favorite, of course, I do mean that I loathed it with all of my being. On top of not being vampiric enough and stinking of wet dog, the second book contained Meyer’s worst attempts at writing (in my opinion). I just hated every single page of it. Except, you know, when Edward was around. I digress.

I’ll admit to having a nice evening into early morning. We ate at the Olive Garden, got kicked out of Starbucks (why do they close at 9:30 on a weeknight?), found out that Kohl’s is currently open until 11:00pm due to the holidays, purchased things we didn’t need and then made our way to stand in line. Mandy made us goodie bags with Twilight candies, calendars, the New Moon soundtrack and other things that made me feel even dorkier than usual as I found myself far too excited over teenage movie stuff. Alas, we were not the only adults in line. In fact, one of my Facebook friends, upon reading my status when I returned home from the movie adventure at 3:24 IN THE MORNING said this, and I quote:

Were the Cougars as bad at your showing as they were at mine?! They were worse than the teenagers.

There was a WINNEBAGO full of them in the parking lot!

I laughed. Out loud. There were quite a few “Twilight Moms,” as an article in our local newspaper put it yesterday. The crowd was comprised of a lot more teenagers than I expected (didn’t they have school today?) but the “cougars” were out in full force. I do suppose that our group qualified as such. Great.

As for the crowd, they weren’t too obnoxious while we were waiting though I do admit to thinking that anyone who left their water/pop/juice bottle and other assorted pieces of trash on the floor needs to be taught a thing or two about manners. In the theater, there was the initial squeal of delight when Edward, the vampire everyone seems to adore, came on screen. A similar gasp of approval came when Jacob, the werewolf, was first seen and, of course, again when he took off his shirt. I still maintain that his head is too small for his body and shoulder span and do not see the attraction. I prefer my men to be thin and rather pale. (Have you seen FireDad? I mean, honestly.) Also, head proportion is key.

The movie? Oh yes, we were there to see the movie and not just experience the crowds and stay up way, way past my bedtime. I liked the movie. Hush now, don’t judge or flog me. I liked the movie more than the book, which is something I rarely say as I almost always hate book-to-movie adaptations. This is the rare exception as I so thoroughly hated the book that the movie simply had to be an improvement. It was greatly improved in the fact that it flowed better and didn’t drag on as unnecessarily as the book did. There were bits of annoyances for me, however, including the very awful sparkle-and-dazzle effect for when the vampires hit sunlight. It’s worse than a 1980’s special effect. Very bad. Some of the acting was annoying. I love Bella but if I had to listen to her breathe one more time I was going to laugh out loud.

All in all, I had a thrilling time. I still don’t see what my one friend sees in Jacob but I love her all the same. Mandy owes me some coffee and a nap for dragging us out. (Just kidding, I think.) All that said, I really don’t think I’ll be making the midnight premiere for Eclipse. I might go see it in the theater but on a Tuesday afternoon when swooning teenagers are in school or still sleeping (as I think it’s planned as a summer release). I’m still tired as I write this at 2:17pm. I’m just grumpy because I’m sure the teens that were in attendance last night are up-and-at-em today while I feel like I got hit by a truck. Cougar, maybe, but I’d allow Edward Cullen to bite my neck if it meant I never again felt this old and tired and would never need sleep again.

You can read Mandy’s thoughts on the whole event here. But really, she owes me coffee.

I don’t normally re-read books, especially fictional ones. Minus a phase where I re-read The Secret Garden, Little Women and the Anne of Green Gables series over and over, I don’t normally find the need to re-read a story that isn’t/wasn’t real. I have re-read a few parenting books (and am planning to re-read The No-Cry Potty Training Solution in the near future). I have re-read a few adoption related books (Lifegivers and The Girls Who Went Away). And I re-read childrens’ books umpteen times per day. But fictional adult books? I don’t think I’ve done it since that infatuation with the above mentioned young-girl escapism type books.

I chose to re-read My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult last week for a number of reasons. It remains one of my favorite books (despite not being overly impressed with some of her other novels). I read it back when it was first released and I have loved the drama, the concepts presents and the twist at the end. I loved getting involved with the book. But I had forgotten some things over the years and so I decided to sit down with the book once again since the movie was released in theaters today.

I had forgotten that the husband in the book was a firefighter. To be fair, as I read this book before FireDad was hired on the department (remember, he got hired just after we were married), I wasn’t really indoctrinated into the fire life just yet. Reading it this time, I found myself nodding my head at some of the mentions of fire life. You know, except for the part where Brian, the father, has Anna, the daughter asking for medical emancipation from her parents, move into the fire department with him. Sorry. Not going to happen in real life.

I had forgotten the questions the book made me ask, back before I was parenting these two boys. I asked them aloud this time, involving FireDad in my internal back-and-forth, whether we would ever consider bringing another child into our lives to save one of the boys. (Not that I can carry another child.) Or, even without that, would we force one of our existing children to donate anything to another if the child in question had reservations or simply didn’t want to do it. We had some interesting discussions, the two of us, as I quickly devoured the pages in the book once more.

There were quotes in the book that struck me this time around, ones that maybe I thought of last time but I was in a different place. I dog-eared the pages of my book this time around (yes, I’m that reader) and have considered each of them deeply. One quote, a paragraph, spoke to me deeply.

It would have been better, of course, if Luisa, had been in her own room, as her mother expected. But kids don’t always stay where they’re supposed to. You turn around and find her not in the bedroom but hiding in a closet; you turn around and she’s not three but thirteen. Parenting is really just a matter of tracking, of hoping your kids to not get so far ahead you can no longer see their next moves.

I mean, isn’t that true? That, combined with a trio of sentence just down the page from the above set of truths really blew me away.

I became a firefighter because I wanted to save people. But I should have been more specific. I should have named names.

Ah, yes.

–

I’ll be honest, I’m not thrilled about the book being turned into a movie. I rarely (and I do mean rarely) like the movie more than the book. In fact, more often than not, I hate the movie because it is so rarely a true representation of the written word. This movie, so far, is no different. As an example, the mother in the book is a brunette. Cameron Diaz, my least favorite actress on today’s scene, is not a brunette. Nor do I feel she will be able to do this part justice despite the rave reviews she is getting from critics. (I also rarely agree with the critics, mind you.)

When you combine my dislike of the actress portraying the mother with the fact that THEY CHANGED THE ENDING, well, I find little room for hope. The ending of this book makes the book. The ending of this story makes the story. Without this ending, the way that it is written, the book would still be well-written and intriguing. But it wouldn’t push you to that brink, to question everything you just read, to question life as it is. It wouldn’t make you catch your breath, shake your fist at God and generally dissolve into a puddle of tears. If you change the ending, you change the book. And while Picoult was very gracious in her USA Today interview about the change of ending, had it been me, I would have said something like, “I wash my hands of it.” And then I would have spat at the ground.

I’m nothing if not dramatic, no?

I will likely wait until the movie comes out on DVD before subjecting myself to what I imagine to be two hours of drinding my teeth every time Cameron Diaz opens her mouth. I will try to avoid spoilers of the changed ending but, knowing the internet, someone will offer one when I am least expecting it, hiding it behind a click of something else entirely. I will see the movie because I am a glutton for punishment, a book lover who will want to see if, in the end, they did one of her favorites justice on the Silver Screen. But I fear the results, of course.

Just as I sat in fear of the end of the book during my re-read. And I knew what was coming. I prefer it that way, really.

Today I’m going to give you some gift ideas for books and movies that are about firefighting, fire trucks or firefighters in one way or another. One of the suggestions even has a Christmas theme with it. There are two separate sections: for the younger set and for adults. Why? I don’t think your three year old needs to watch Backdraft. I’m serious. Don’t do it.

For the youngest set, there are some great board books available with a firefighing theme. Fire Truck by Peter Sis is a great little book. The little boy imagines that he is the fire truck which made me smile as he shares a first name with my brother who wanted to be a fire truck when he grew up. Touch and Feel: Fire Engine is like any of the other Touch & Feel books. It’s simple, leaves room for other conversation and provides texture for the child to explore. While we own the previous two books, we do not own My Big Rescue Book though we do own another in the My Big Board Book series. If it’s like the other books, it will provide lots of new words for your little one to learn, lots of real-life pictures and hours of exploration.

For those children who can handle paper pages, the following books that we own are big favorites with BigBrother. Big Frank’s Fire Truck by Leslie McGuire has been a long time favorite, actually. The book tells the story of Big Frank from when he shows up for his shift at the fire department and takes readers through his busy day. In includes checking trucks, meals, naps (ahem, FireDad), an accident to which they respond and, of course, a big fire. At the end of the book, Big Frank goes home to his kids the next morning. BigBrother just loved that part. Flashing Fire Engines by Tony Mitton is a recent addition to our fire truck library. (We’re probably going to get the rest of his books as well.) It’s a quick read which makes it perfect for the ten thousand readings we’ve been through in the past month.

Perfect for Christmas (but one that we don’t own yet because I forget about it every year until after I’ve chosen our Christmas Eve book) is Firefighter’s Night Before Christmas by Kimbra Cutlip. Part of the Night Before Christmas series, it apparently chronicles Santa’s arrival at the fire house and a fire at a furniture store. I really need to remember to buy this for next Christmas Eve!

As for movies for the younger set: Elmo Visits the Firehouse might drive you insane if you can’t stand Elmo’s voice but the kids seem to love it. (Yes, we own it. Of course we do.) And Fire Monsters, while it may sound scary, is a great addition to your fire truck video library. It shows kids the training process to be a firefighter. Lots of sirens and a gruff sounding chief but BigBrother loves when I borrow it from the library (I should really buy it, no?).

And now, books and movies for the adult crowd.

If the firefighter for whom you are purchasing a gift is like the one living under this roof, chances are they might be a history dork buff. While Fires And Fire-Fighters; A History Of Modern Fire-Fighting With A Review Of Its Development From Earliest Times sounds a little bit dry to me, my guess is that a history-buff-slash-firefighter would find it very interesting. The description says that the book actually includes early books which are no longer in print and, as such hard to find, in one, modern book. Very cool, if you ask me. (But I’m also a dork.) Firefighters: Their Lives in Their Own Words by Dennis Smith sounds like a positive but realistic book about fire life from the mouths of those living that life. (In fact, now I want this book.)

For those of you who are purchasing a gift for a Christian firefighter, grab up a copy of The Firefighter’s Bible. I got this for FireDad two Christmases ago. It’s a beautiful, leather-bound edition with the Maltese Cross stamped in gold on the front. It’s very nice.

As far as movies go, there are, of course, the classics. Backdraft is one that is watched in our house about once a season. (Though we don’t own the 2-disc anniversary edition!) (Also? Just writing this makes me want to go watch it.) If you haven’t yet seen Ladder 49, you also need to add it to your fire movie library. Though, once again, have your tissues ready. I swear. Someone needs to make a happy firefighter movie. Seriously.

Also? If your firefighter is a fan of Backdraft, consider grabbing the audio CD so they can play the music and feel like a hero even when walking around the house. Right? Win. (And, yes, we own it. I swear. What? It’s good music!)

All this week Stop, Drop & Blog will be bringing you gift ideas for the firefighters or fire truck loving children in your lives! And while I said today would be our last day, I have an extra special surprise for tomorrow. Be sure to tune in!

BigBrother will turn three this month! I know. I’m just as shocked. Even more shocking was how I finished shopping for him (and LittleBrother) in mid-October. If you’re wondering what to buy a three-year-old boy for his birthday, why don’t you consider one of the items on our list below.

1. African Plains Jigsaw Puzzle by Melissa & Doug. BigBrother started with Melissa & Doug’s wooden jigsaw puzzles earlier this year when we gave him the dinosaur one as his starting preschool gift. He still needs help but he really enjoys putting these together. As an added bonus, when LittleBrother grabs one and chews, it doesn’t melt in his mouth like cardboard pieces!

2. Brown Bear-Panda Bear, What Do You See? Game. We thought this would be a good way to go since he likes the book, is good with his colors and is starting to enjoy playing games with us.

3. Food Groups toy food by Melissa & Doug. What? Your three year old boy doesn’t have a kitchen? Why not? My boys love playing with their kitchen set. We’re trying to build up their food sets and love that this set came with little wooden bins, healthy options that BigBrother will recognize from the four food groups and the fact that, once again, as they’re wooden, LittleBrother can’t eat them whole. Win!

4. Toy Story DVD. While I’m sure BigBrother won’t quickly neglect his love of Disney Pixar Cars, he has shown an interest in Buzz Lightyear and, as such, the movie Toy Story. He’s gotten to see it once or twice at my parents’ house and owns two pair of Buzz Lightyear underwear as well as a hand-me-down set of pajamas. This is one gift I don’t know if he’ll love as much as some others but I think it will go over well in the end.

5. Books! I Love Hugs, Underwear!, How Do Dinosaurs Go To School?, and Flashing Fire Engines are all in his “book gift bag.” To be fair, I ordered all of these from his Scholastic book orders and got them for a very reduced price. (WIN!) I read through each of them on my own before putting them in the bag. I think he’ll like them but, of course, I’ll have to let you know after we read through each together. He’s always been a book lover and he knows what he likes and what he doesn’t! Reasons for each pick? I want BigBrother to hug me. Underwear is funny. He is falling in love with dinosaurs. And we’re a fire family, of course! A fire book is always a must!

6. Disney Pixar Car’s Mack Truck Transporter with the three “bad” cars. (The link will take you to the one with McQueen, Chick Hicks and Leakless.) This was the first thing BigBrother asked to receive for his birthday. Ever. In the history of birthdays. He’s just now understanding that a birthday means that you get presents and, as such, he has been asking us, frequently, for MACK. I found the one with the three not-so-nice cars from the beginning of the movie. He should love the addition of those three cars to his growing set of Cars cars. I’m so excited to watch his face light up as he opens this present.

7. Molly the Train who is part of the Take Along Thomas line. BigBrother already has a whole slew of Take Along trains and hadn’t been asking for new ones for quite some time. As such, this is not one present that made my initial birthday list and was only one of two last-minute add-ons as I began my shopping. Right before I made all of our purchases, he started asking for Molly. Apparently one of the videos we borrowed from the library featured a Molly storyline and he’s been hooked. When asked what he is getting for his birthday, he now says “Mack and Molly!” Any of the Take Along Thomas line trains would be a great purchase for your three-year-old!

8. And a pair of Thomas the Train sneakers in size 9. No link available. They are velcro, which will be easy for him to maneuver. They are white and navy blue. I chose these sneakers over others because I don’t like overly dark sneakers. While Walmart had a pair of fire truck shoes, they were black and red and we just don’t “do” that here!

BigBrother will also have a Lightning McQueen cake (which he asked for), McQueen cake plates and some family over to the house to open presents the day before his birthday. Yes, the poor child is getting cheated out of a big-big birthday party due to the fact that LittleBrother is getting the typical (and necessary!) big first birthday party. Next year? They’ll both be cheated and share a party. Such is life!

I expect Mack and Molly to be the two favorite presents. The books, of course, and the movie will probably, in the long run, receive the most use. The shoes will hopefully last until summer barring yet another growth spurt. The game should be great fun for us to continue learning with one another (and I expect that he will want to read his Brown Bear, Brown Bear book a bit more). I have instructed grandparents and family/friends to buy: pajamas, non-noisy toys and some clothes. He isn’t really in the need for clothes (except for pajamas) but new clothes are always welcome.

In the end, I’m excited about this birthday. He finally is catching onto the concept. When asked, he tells you that he will be three on his birthday. I’m kind of worried, of course, as I told him he couldn’t have Mack until his birthday in November. I neglected to say the date. And so when he goes to school this coming Tuesday and they tell him that the month is now November, I fully expect him to come home and say, “IT’S MY BIRTHDAY!”

Almost, buddy. Almost!

Do you have any suggestions for a three-year-old boy? Let me know as I’m finalizing that Christmas list!