My first 101 days of 101 in 1001 - When Resolutions Meet Bucket Lists

I'm a list person.  You should see my day planner, it has hundreds.  There are few things that feel better to me than when I get to cross an item off my to-do list.  Here's the thing - in the everyday, my to-do lists are filled with work and chores and not a lot of big ticket life goal moments, and I wanted to find a way to change that, even if that change was me chipping away at some things a little bit, day by day or month by month.

In December I read an article that really spoke to me about creating a list of 101 things I wanted to accomplish in 1001 days instead of  a more traditional resolution list (check it out in full here).  Yesterday I reached 101 days into this mash up of a bucket list and resolution list and I'm pretty happy with this progress.

Yeah, I know that it's highly unlikely that I'm going to complete every item on this list in less than three years, but I'm going to give it a shot, and for added motivation I thought I'd share what I have managed to complete, to help motivate me to push harder, and what I am planning on tackling next with my next check in being 250 days into my 1001. Some of what I achieved was big, other stuff was smaller tasks, moments, or to-dos that I routinely put off, some is a work in progress that I won't report on until it's complete.

Here's What I've Managed to Cross Off My List So Far - 9 Items

Take the kids to Disney✔ Completed March 2018

This will forever be one of my all time favourite moments, when Molly had to show Cinderella how they both had magic and matching shoes because sparkled high-tops are very royal

Indulge in a scalp massage✔ On February 2, 2018 I had this and it worked wonders on my laptop neck!

Have a pay per view article go viral (and earn me the freelance white whale of $1000)✔ on January 31st, 2018 I broke this record and have received over 2 million hits for this article  

Paint a painting✔ See my blog entry on this here

Run a 12.5 minute mile✔ Completed on February 20, 2018 during mile 3 of a 5 mile run

Walk along the ocean at Myrtle Beach✔ Completed on March 26, 2018

A view from the Myrtle Beach Board Walk on a Blustery Day

Finish Jack's baby book ✔ Completed February 24, 2018

No take out or fast food for a month ✔ Completed on February 28, 2018 and you can read about it here

Take Chris to try Korean BBQ✔ Completed on February 24, 2018

How do you stay motivated to complete your goals?  Stay tuned to find out how I do over the next 149 days this August!

To get access to the newest posts from Multiple Momstrosity and more on Facebook click here and follow today

Follow Multiple Momstrosity on Twitter @Sarabethbug

A Wrinkle in Time - Movie Review

The kids were both really excited to see A Wrinkle In Time.  I must admit, despite being a child of the 1980's I had never read the book.  After seeing mixed reviews online I was a little skeptical, but the kids were interested, so we decided to make it our March Break Matinee film.

Image Courtesy of The Verge

What's in it for the Kids?
This is not a movie for little kids.  If your kid scares easily, or has trouble focusing on live action compared to cartoon, wait to watch this until they're 7-9.  It was almost a mash-up or nod to a bunch of films I grew up with, and with Molly and Jack's recent interest in films like Never-ending Story, the timing of this movie couldn't of been better for them.


What's in it for the Adults?
Visually this movie is stunning.  The costumes and background are bound to give you some wanderlust and a sense of enchantment and wonder. Performances by favourites like Reese Witherspoon, Oprah, Mindy Kaling, and Zach Galifianakis won't disappoint.  Just remember to keep in mind this movie is for kids, not you, and that it was Disneyfied for children, and you'll be okay.  While Storm Reid was fantastic playing the conflicted Meg, my prediction for career potential goes to Levi Miller (Calvin) who has an amazing presence, despite his smaller role, that was somewhat reminiscent of a young River Phoenix.


Best Parts of the Movie
This movie ambitiously takes on a lot.  It touches on everything from being yourself to bullying to self worth to family dynamics.  Some of the lessons are more subtle, whereas others hit you over the head, but the kids didn't seem to notice.  Jack's favourite parts of the movie were discussions around "the it" (darkness) vs. positive energy and the light.  Molly loved Meg, as a female warrior, as well as Ms. Which (Oprah).  We've been working a lot with Molly on body positivity - I can't get over how young things like body image and fat shaming come into play for little kids.  Molly falling in love Ms. Which because, according to Molly - she is the oldest, biggest, strongest, and most powerful, felt like a win to me. Recently we've noticed the strong influence that pop culture and the the world of twig thin female heroines has had on her definition of beauty, health and strength- bravo to this film which literally calls out the question, "Is there such thing as the wrong size?"

Image Courtesy of YouTube

Worst Parts of the Movie
This film had no cruise control and an uneven pace.  The story building was slow, then audiences were taken warp speed into the story, and then spit back out again at the end.  There were plot holes, but I could forgive them, because the kids loved this movie. I have never read the book, so I have no point of reference, but this movie seemed a bit like a Frankenstein of other successful films as it pieced together a non linear story in a way children could understand with inspiration from films like The Labyrinth, Never-ending Story, and Return to Oz.

Overall Rating
I would rate this movie 3/5, it wasn't nearly as bad as the critics are making it out to be, and the kids really liked it.  Brimming with positive messages about making change and being your own hero and warrior, as well as embracing your faults, give it a shot, just maybe not in theatres.

To read my review of Captain Underpants click here

To read my review of Boss Baby click here

To read my review of the Lego Batman movie click here

Movie Review Moana

Over the holidays we enjoyed cuddling up from the cold with a few movies.  Moana was one of them. Here is my review based on my thoughts as a parent, as well as what the minions have had to say.

Image courtesy of movies.disney.com

What's in it for the Kids?
This movie does what Disney does best -  sing songs, in a child-friendly plot, with a handful of charming characters little ones will love.  Moana is being prepared to take over as the eventual leader of her people, but is drawn to the sea, despite her father's warnings (pretty typical Disney source of conflict).  When she must save her people by going on a seaward quest, and force the trickster demi-god Maui to return what he had stolen many years ago, she learns a lot about her personal strength and abilities. Comic relief was provided throughout the film by chicken Hey Hey, who Jack found absolutely hilarious, while Molly related more to story lead Moana.

What's in it for the Adults?
The animation for this movie provides a lush and pretty landscape to admire.  The film contains some pretty fun, and authentic voice talents for lead roles.  Anyone who enjoyed Flight of the Conchords is sure to get a laugh or two out of Jemaine Clement's David Bowie(esque) song and persona as Tamatoa.  Dwayne Johnson is fantastic as the arrogant, yet oddly charming Maui.  I particularly loved the strong female influence throughout the generations in Moana's life, and the support she received from her mother and grandmother.

Best Parts of the Movie
Finally, a Disney movie with no romantic love story.  No prince saving the day, no kisses, just a leader learning how to lead, period.  This change to the Disney formula made a pretty typical hero story feel a lot less tired, and a lot more authentic to it's intended girl power messaging.


Worst Parts of the Movie
The story is pretty predictable, and although Moana isn't technically a princess (she's the daughter of the Chief) it's still a pretty cliched story about a princess (with an animal sidekick) who must overcome challenges to find herself and save the day. The movie received a PG rating for some "villains" who may seem scary to really young children (although at five neither Molly or Jack had an issue with being scared during the film, there were a couple of younger kids who were crying during a specific conflict scene).  Despite this being a good film, most of the songs didn't carry the same memorable oomph Disney is known for (I can assure you, the next Let it Go is not hiding in this film).

Overall Rating
I would rate this movie 4/5.  It's watchable and re-watchable for kids and I know that we'll purchase it when it comes out for sale.  I liked that the women in this movie were strong and capable, both physically and spiritually and the message this sends to both kids.

To read about the minions journey into the world of Star Wars click here.

To get access to the newest posts from Multiple Momstrosity and more on Facebook click here and follow today

Follow Multiple Momstrosity on Twitter @Sarabethbug

More Than a Woman

Saturday was International Women's Day: designated over 100 years ago to celebrate women, mainly in a political and human rights themed manner, as designated (and designed) by the United Nations.

I thought long and hard about what this day means to me and what it will eventually mean to Molly.  I debated writing a letter to Molly about this day in a post, then I decided that this post should be for both of my children in the hope that I raise Jack to care about women and women's issues just as much as his sister.

On International Women's Day (and every day) I want you both to know the following:

You are both 100% of everything.  I hope neither of you has to struggle with earning 81% of  anyone because of your gender, orientation, class, age or any other demographic.

The other day (Molly) when you told me that you played princess all day I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes and sighing.  You then explained to me that Jack was a princess, daddy was a princess and mommy was a princess.  When I asked you what a princess was, you told me that it was someone nice, who sings, dances and likes animals.  I'm pretty okay with your interpretation of what a princess is, especially compared to the Disney version in my own head.  My issues with princesses are my own, clearly not yours.

You can be anything you want* and we will both support you.

This International Women's Day I am thankful for the following things:

Books that support princess boys and princess girls like: My Princess Boy, 10,000 Dresses and of course The Paper Bag Princess


The Bechdel Test: Essentially it's a test for movies to support better gender representation.  To qualify or pass this Swedish film rating system, your movie must:

• Have two or more women
• These women must talk to each other...
• About ANYTHING other than a man. 

I am especially thankful for movies like Despicable Me and The Hunger Games that bring us strong women role models who pass the test.

Jack, your love of pink teddy bears and Molly, your insistence that you are in fact Batman, help your dad and I both unlearn a lot of the gender stereotypes we are guilty of every day.

Want Multiple Momstrosity updates on Facebook click here


*Within reason and I'll support you: I hear there is a shortage of clowns, just don't become drug dealers or prostitutes (literal or figurative). I can't handle that.