Tots 100 Film Club - The Secret of Moonacre.

The latest film sent to me from Warner Brothers was an adaptation of Elizabeth Goudge's novel The Little White Horse - the sort of old book that uses 'ejaculated' as a synonym for 'said' (which always appeals to my childish sense of humour!)

The Secret of Moonacre opens solemnly with the funeral of 13 year old Maria Merryweather's father. He died in debt, leaving Maria orphaned and homeless. Along with her caretaker, the marvellously eccentric spinster played to perfection by Juliet Stevenson, Maria is forced to leave London to live with her Uncle in the country.

It is on the Moonacre estate, under strict instructions from her cold, intolerant Uncle not to enter the forest, that she discovers an ancient feud between the Merryweather and De Noir families and a curse that only she can lift.

This heartwarming, satisfying story has some good character development, wonderful settings and costumes and a good sprinkling of magic and mystery. The charismatic Tim Curry is superb (although under used) as the head of the De Noirs.

I have to admit that I did nod off for a while during the film, missing a chunk of plot development. This is more indicative of how tired I was than any failure of the film to entertain.

The Secret of Moonacre would be unlikely to sustain the interest of very young audiences (my 2 year old slept soundly through the whole thing) but would make ideal viewing for families with slightly older children.

Galt Fairy T-Shirt Set

Craft sets have always been my standard default kid's gift idea when any alternative inspiration eludes me.  I rarely buy them for my own children.

I was recently sent a Fairy T-Shirt Set from Galt to review.

I have to admit that my little girl, Addy, enjoyed it so much and I was so impressed by it that I may have to have to elevate my 'craft set' thinking to a whole new level.

The kit contained a quality white cotton T-shirt, printed transfer paper, fabric crayons and full instructions.

Addy couldn't wait to get started. The fairy themed transfer collection was comprised of a choice of two scenes for the front of the T-shirt, two pairs of fairy wings for the back and three pairs of small designs for the sleeves.

After much deliberation, Addy selected a design to colour.

My daughter, at the tender age of 4 years, has very strong opinions about certain things and will not be persuaded otherwise. She executed her design in her own way (which to my eyes was somewhat heavy on the brown!) She refused to have it that these were fairy wings. She insisted that it was a butterfly and added her own butterfly body. At first, I was frustrated with her because she wasn't doing it right but thankfully, after taking a deep breath, I realised that she was creating in her own way which had far more value than trying to reproduce the exact examples on the box illustration. I think even the most extreme perfectionist would struggle to keep completely within the lines with the chunky crayons (which incidentally were perfect for little hands)

Addy's best attempt to stay within the lines

The colouring kept Addy thoroughly entertained for far longer than I imagined it would. Once she was satisfied with her creations, it was over to me to iron the transfers onto the T-shirt (although Addy's little brother was very keen to help with their toy iron!)

The transfers needed to be placed colour side down onto the T-shirt and pressed firmly for at least 30 seconds with the iron on the hottest setting without steam.  I found the 'placing' part quite nerve wracking. I was worried that they would look wrong if they were too high or low or wonky or off centre. Deep breath again before I got on with it.

I would advise that this part of the process is done with care to get a good bond and to ensure that the backing paper comes away easily.

The colours came out very vividly. Addy loved her T-Shirt so much that we made a second one with the spare transfers for her sister. Here they are modelling their Galt Fairy T-Shirt creations.

J is for Junk to Funk, Jazz Band and Jogging

One of the suggestions put forward for a J Alphabet date was a romantic 'jog for two' down on the canal towpath followed by a well earned jug of Joules Pale Ale at our local brewery. I was slightly relieved when a well timed 'Junk to Funk' event came up at the school two of my daughter's attend featuring performances from the Jazz band that they both play in. I bought two tickets!

The Junk to Funk part of the evening was a fashion show. The jubilee inspired fashions were created using recycled materials and modelled by the girls who had designed them. Some of them were quite impressive - others seemed little more than ordinary clothing with union jack napkins pinned to them but it was still lovely to see the girls strutting with increasing confidence as the audience showed their appreciation with clapping.

On display at the front of the stage were two incredible Junk to Funk creations. The fantastically talented Kirsty Warner (a name to watch out for) whose photographs I have featured on this blog, had made a jacket out of teddy bears that she had purchased in charity shops. Just as a faux fur jacket it was beautiful but she had incorporated teddy heads in the design which made it look quirky and almost evil in a Cruella deville sort of way - completely original in concept and perfectly executed. The talent continued to scream out in the shape of a futuristic dress made of coke cans which looked part robot part fish. I'm not sure that sharp edges wouldn't rip your flesh to shreds if you actually tried to wear (and move in) such a garment, but it was visually stunning on the mannequin. This piece was created by the son of my dental hygienist. I actually can't wait for my next appointment so I can tell her how much I loved it (before I have to open wide!)

Although the event was named for the fashion show part, the majority of the evening was a musical showcase. The much loved, long serving music teacher (who also teaches my girls piano and has become a family friend)  retired recently. We wondered how anyone could fill the shoes of a teacher that had become such a fundamental part of the music department, and indeed the school as a whole, but judging by the success of the evening, the replacement is doing a wonderful job. My girls adore him and my first impressions during the brief meeting I had with him when I brought Taylor's drum kit in to set up earlier in the day, were very positive. Since taking the post, he has formed a Jazz Band and a Glee club, both of which delivered performances.

The show opened with a lively samba drum piece leaving no doubt that proceedings had well and truly begun.

The jazz band featured my Taylor on drums and Charis on piano (she was very excited to be playing a grand piano even though it was possibly the most battered and un-grand grand piano I had ever seen). All of the members had clearly worked hard to achieve a level of competence in a style that, for my daughters at least, was different to what they were used to. However, with members of staff taking leading roles, it did somehow have the feel of a vehicle for frustrated teachers to live out their musical legend fantasies! Despite that, it was very enjoyable (although I must try and teach Taylor to stop pulling unflattering 'concentrating' faces as she drums!)

There were several solo singing performances, the majority of which, Charis accompanied on piano. I have listened to her practising these accompaniments at home (in fact she broke a low C string on our piano during one particularly enthusiastic session) but I was absolutely amazed by her performances on the night. It wasn't just that she played the pieces practically note perfect (I think I did detect one or two tiny mistakes), it was the way she supported the soloists,  subtly emphasising notes when the singers went off key to help them find the melody again, keeping the timing and allowing the vocal to shine. She never once sought the limelight. In her very unassuming way she  delivered what was needed.
I have so much respect for my daughter. She has a maturity, poise and confidence that totally belies her tender 15 years.

I didn't take my camcorder.  Recording something necessitates watching the action through the screen  (unless you have a well placed tripod or don't mind the inevitable 'drift' that you get when not monitoring hand held equipment). I hate how that detaches me from the moment. At the expense of having the recordings, which I would have loved, I stayed completely in the moment. On balance, I think I loved that more! Plenty of people did video. This is footage of Charis on piano and my niece on guitar singing Rhianna's Take a Bow (taken by Ella's mum - my sister).

A highlight of the evening for me was when Taylor's boyfriend, George, took to the stage with his theatrical friend Ollie for a 'showbiz' performance of Me and My Shadow. George has one of those voices that has lovely tone and timbre but doesn't co-operate in terms of staying in key! It didn't matter that it wasn't the greatest vocal performance of the night. For me it was definitely the most entertaining. Performed with panache and swagger, it provided me with much needed comic relief from the emotional  roller coaster I had been on watching my girls. I could see Taylor watching her man with pride and embarrassment in equal measures. 

During the interval, there was a raffle. After my success in the 'I' date raffle, George's mum (who was sat with us) said she wanted some of my luck because the first prize of £100 in Argos vouchers would be very nice. Would you believe it? She won first prize!! What's more, my number came up too!!! I won a trip to Wolverhampton Races. It is all a bit of a mystery because there was no information provided with the tickets but I'm sure we'll work it out! I had a big smile on my face and congratulated my husband on his raffle ticket buying skills.

The show overran the advertised finish time and daughter Ivy who was babysitting the little ones was waiting for us to get back so she could go to the pub with friends. I left my husband to wait around to pick up the drum kit and bring the girls home in the car while I made a hasty exit and ran home. 

I had a really good time on my J date and I even incorporating some of the Jogging that I was trying avoid.

When my husband got home with the drums, the girls, the 'Shadow' (or the 'Me'!) and a mountain of chips, I had recovered from my impromptu marathon enough to enjoy a greasy supper and a bottle of bubbly to celebrate the end of Taylor's A levels and a successful night.

For my 'K' date I am going to insist on something more intimate that does not involve a raffle. Any suggestions?