When the Target clerk tried to give her the change from her first-ever purchase, Beatrix’s little fingers were splayed—the coins fell through. They bounced all over the check-out lane, rolling in every direction. “Sorry!” she laughed. We bent and found all the coins we could. She dropped them into her tiny purse, which she dug out of a pile of toys on her bedroom floor. The clerk handed the white plastic bag to her and said thank you. We walked away.
“Did you see how much money the lady gave me?” she said with the same excitement lottery winners have at their news conference. It is odd. Beatrix gave the clerk a $10 bill and a $1 bill to buy the Zsu Zsu puppy. That’s two pieces of paper. In return, she got back like 8 coins! More money! Shopping is so cool. You get a new toy and leave with more money.
She’s only in kindergarten and just learning about money—in more ways than one. It burns holes in Hello Kitty banks. Sometimes, it’s not enough to buy the big Lalaloopsy, but it can buy two of the minis. But then, over there, do you see? Zsu Zsu Puppies. That would bring the collection to three…what to do, what to do? Suggestions that she doesn’t have to buy something today, perhaps waiting for more tooth fairy money so the big Lalaloopsy is attainable, are met with a flat-out no.
I prod her to choose, realizing this is the way it will probably always be. Shopping with my youngest daughter was an exercise in scratching off aisles, backtracking, considering too many possibilities, and gratification. Watching her make another tiny leap out of small-childhood is part of a very happy economy.
Owner of Three Zsu Zsu Puppies
Like Beatrix with her bouncing, noisy coins, I am stunned I get back so much more than I give. The difference is what I receive from the tender days of my kids’ lives isn’t a false payout. It’s priceless.
Elmo threatened my beloved Grover, my Alastair Cookie, my Grouch. I can trace my dislike for the little red monster to the mid-90s when his popularity soared. Tickle Me Elmo took over Christmas 1996. I was pregnant with Aidan, our first baby. Somehow, my husband and I found a Tickle Me Elmo at Target before the frenzy hit. We were smug with our find, but found the hype unbearable. It made me eye Elmo with skepticism. I hoped our baby wouldn’t be a big Elmo fan. Maybe he’d fade away and she’d embrace the old school characters?
But Elmo not only stayed, he conquered the world. Sesame Street was carved up, devoting the last 10-15 minutes to Elmo’s World. It wasn’t enough that he giggled his way through every episode. He had to be the center of the Sesame universe. The show I adored as a kid was unrecognizable—and it was Elmo’s fault.
A bunch of kids followed Aidan into our family. You can’t escape childhood without Elmo snaking into the toy box or dotting big-kid undies. I had to admit some of the Elmo’s World episodes were really cute. The way he says “motorcycle jacket” is crushingly cute. When crass comic Ricky Gervais stopped by Elmo’s twin bed to sing a lullaby, I laughed for days every time I thought of the song. I made an uneasy peace with the little monster. And Elmo, too.
Last night, our family watched “Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey” on Netflix streaming. It’s the story of Kevin Clash, Elmo’s puppeteer. It opens with Kevin as a young boy living in the projects near Baltimore. He adored TV, especially shows like Captain Kangaroo, The Wonderful World of Disney, and Sesame Street. He saw the first episode and his life changed at that moment. He began constructing puppets out of household items, including his father’s wooly black coat. It became a monkey.
Here is where I was totally convicted and a bit thunderstruck: Kevin’s parents recognized his talent from the start and encouraged every step he took. Slicing up a coat would be a huge no-no in most households. How many of us would simply say, “Next time, ask first?” I would be angry at coat-butchering hijinks, saving the questions for later. It makes me wonder if impatience blinds me to my children’s talents. I like to think I’m fully aware of their unique talents, but how often do I stand in their way—even inadvertently?
For example, his mom reached out to a famous puppeteer Kevin saw on TV. She called the puppeteer and shared that her son loved making puppets. The puppeteer took Kevin under his wing, teaching him secrets of the trade. At that point, Kevin (who was still in high school!) had his own Saturday morning TV show, but he was humble enough to know there was so much more to learn. With the help of mentors, Kevin kept working, learning, perfecting his talent. It all led to a fateful day in the puppeteer breakroom at Sesame Street. Elmo was literally tossed in his lap. And it all began when his mom picked up a phone.
What would you do if Elmo were tossed in your lap?
Kevin explained the inspiration for Elmo’s voice and character. Something wonderful always motivates Elmo and that thing is pure, innocent, unconditional love. Kids sense this on a deep and innate level. I saw a screechy, giggly monster. Then, I saw him as totally commercialized. He’s a handy little fellow to peddle useless junk to children. But I suspect from now on, I’ll see him as an extension of an inspirational man from an inspirational family. The interviews with Kevin Clash reveal a humble, gentle, funny man with a beautiful heart.
Here’s where I started to cry: Kevin admitted Elmo is his mother and his father. I can’t imagine a better tribute from a loving son to the ones who helped him find his way.
I highly recommend watching “Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey” on Netflix or wherever you can find it. Our kids loved it, too. I hope they took away the lesson that creativity, hard-work, and innovation are beautiful things and that it’s okay to go against the flow if you have a dream.
It's pretty much this lovely throughout the movie...
How clever. How lovely. How funny. How powerful. How where’s-my-hanky?
From the opening moments of “The Secret World of Arrietty,” I had the feeling we were watching something fresh and bold. It captured me and I know it captured my kids’ imaginations, too. I looked at them. They were transfixed. When you are 5, you can’t fake transfixed.
“The Secret World of Arrietty” is Disney’s latest animated feature release. It’s based on the classic children’s series, The Borrowers, by Mary Norton. Devotees of the beloved books could be skeptical of the latest film adaption, but they shouldn’t fear. The spirit of adventure, the clever gadgets, the strong sense of family and determination are treated with respect. Studio Ghibli, who brought “Ponyo” and “Spirited Away” to life, has done it again. Their telltale style of animation and attention to detail is a perfect medium to depict Arrietty’s miniscule world. Borrowers live quietly and respectfully with big people, called Beans. The Borrowers, a dying race, take only what they need, never more. They are always mindful of danger and are rightfully suspicious of Beans. If Borrowers are discovered, they must leave immediately to ensure survival.
Shawn, a sickly, lonely boy, spies tiny Arrietty in his aunt’s garden soon after his arrival at her home. He is visiting to rest and have quiet in the peaceful surroundings, with the hope he will gather strength for surgery. His care is supervised by Hara, an ever-watchful housekeeper, voiced by legendary Carol Burnett.
Arrietty is the only child of the last remaining Borrower family in the beautiful old home. Arrietty’s parents, stoic dad Pod (voiced by Will Arnett) and rattled mom Homily (voiced by Amy Poehler) struggle with the balance of freedom and safety. Arrietty’s first Borrowing, a rite of passage for all young Borrowers, coincides with Shawn’s arrival.
I don’t think I’m spoiling anything by giving away Shawn and Arrietty meet. They communicate in innovative ways. They teach each other important lessons in friendship, devotion, and living bravely in the face of huge obstacles—And when I say “huge obstacles” I mean things like profound loneliness, parental estrangement, looming death and extinction. Somehow, these issues are treated with enough gentleness and humor that we weren’t left reeling and feeling battered by the experience. There are a lot of laughs sprinkled throughout, especially when Carol Burnett, Spiller the Cat, and a certain crow are involved.
I heartily recommend “The Secret World of Arrietty.” I took Tommy, Joel, and Beatrix. They couldn’t stop talking about it as we drove away. Joel and Beatrix even asked for their photo by the movie poster before we left:
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Yes. That’s an empty popcorn bucket on Joel’s head. Despite the warning it would make his hair into festering faux butter strands of sadness, he persisted. I think he may have been inspired by the Borrowers talent at taking ordinary objects and using them in new, creative ways? That’s what I’ll tell myself.
“The Secret World of Arrietty” opens in theaters on February 17, 2012.
(I was given 4 tickets to a review screening of “The Secret World of Arrietty.” The impressions and opinions are mine and my recommendation is purely genuine. Movie image used with permission.)
