Righteous Moms in Kids' Movies

In the run-up to Mother's Day, I am creating my dream line-up of kid or kid-friendly movies (made-for-tv ok) where the moms are not dead (e.g., "Hannah Montana", "Jump In," "Little Mermaid", "The Rescuers"), otherwise absent, (e.g. "Chronicles of Narnia,") self-absorbed/ overwhelmed to the point of incompetence (e.g. "Zach and Cody," "The Spiderwick Chronicles") or horrid, (e.g. animated "Cinderella", Brandi "Cinderella"). Step-moms and grandmas will be considered case-by-case. Non-human moms ok. Movies must be watchable. By grown-ups. Extra credit if mom is married to dad.

Seriously, I can only think of one -- Molly Weasley from "Harry Potter." She scrimps, she putters, she worries, she scolds. But when necessary, she shows that she is not just the washerwoman to the resistance, she is its conscience and its kick-*ss warrior. A big "You go girl" to Molly Weasley, and to J.K. Rowling, who knows a little something about parenting in harsh circumstances, for writing her.

The House of Black

The Unitarians have organized us into circles of a few households who take turns hosting potlucks for each other. Tonight was the first of these. It was altogether lovely -- for the grown-ups at least. These things are always sort of awkward for kids.

We got on to family histories. Spouse and I were telling the story of the reunion where he and I had unveiled a genealogy and the aunties all set to editing-- cousins marrying, unacknowledged children, etc. Another of our party, said, Oh, like Sirius Black's mother burning holes in the tapestry -- Bzzt, Bzzt! An apt analogy, and we had only just read that chapter last night.

Shutupious Curse

Beloved has undertaken the reading of Harry Potter to Girl (mostly) and Jones. So, lately they've been barking orders expectantly at household objects and waiting for their powers to manifest. Jones has invented the "shutupious" curse, which I think quite ingenious, even though I've had to outlaw it. I would give a lot for a shutupious curse.

Call Me Chang Cho

Which Hogwarts House Would You Be In?
	The Sorting Hat would put you in Ravenclaw. You are wise, perceptive, and quietly brilliant. You may not always be noticed right away, but you are widely respected for your humor and brains.
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