Sesame Street: Still Teaching Me Things 40 Years Later

A few weeks ago someone asked me if there was a special book from my childhood. I thought of a book immediately. Then they asked if this book helped me learn a life lesson and I immediately thought ...NO.

My favorite book when I was little was..

I loved this book so much because my Mom would read it with the best voices and sound effects. Everytime I read this book to my kids I can hear my Mom's voice and funny sounds. I loved her reading this book to me so much that she even tape recorded herself one time so that I could listen to it whenever I want.

I know, my Mom is like the best Mom ever in life.

After reminiscing about the book I thought about the second question... did this book help teach a life lesson.

I read the book again and holy s*!t guys! This book has a pretty deep lesson.

See in this story Grover is afraid of getting to the end of the book because as the title tells him, there is a monster there. He spends the whole book trying to get the reader to not move forward.

Grover is scared to move forward. He is afraid of what is coming next.

So what if you stay put, exactly where you are because you were scared of what might be next. People do this all the time right?

But as the reader we force Grover to move forward. And he freaks out and puts so much effort into not moving forward. I mean he even builds a brick wall! 

And as all Sesame Street kids know, Grover does get to the end of the book. And there was a monster there. 

 It was freakin' him! 

Man Sesame Street was deep yo! Grover was standing in his own way. Afraid to move forward to only discover that he was afraid of himself. That at the end the efforts to move forward were useless and there was nothing to be afraid of. Sometimes a new challenge or change can seem really scary and you hold and and fight it. You are dragged kicking and screaming only to find that at the end is an even better, more lovable, furrier old You. 

Ohhhh. I get it now. The Harry Potter Book Series

This has been my family's view of me for the last week or so...

Granted this is not unusual. A book for a face is pretty typical for me but over the last week its been even worse because I started the Harry Potter series. Yes for the first time ever. I am almost done with the 3rd book and at my weekly library visit I was very disappointed to find that they did not have book 4 and 5. I figured I would place a hold and just wait it to come in. Then I read another 100 pages of the 3rd book last night and knew that I would go through some major withdrawals if I didn't have the 4th book ready to go. So this morning I took a quick break from work to run a quick errand. That errand? Going to another library to pick up books 4 and 5.

I feel much better now.

So I know that I am like 10 years behind on the whole Potter craze but I am usually behind the trends. (Don't mind me while I watch Napoleon Dynamite in my Juicy Couture sweatpants.) Phi and I read the first book last summer and it was pretty good. I was needing something to read and noticed I had the 2nd book so I picked it up. I was hooked.

I never picked up these books, even when my niece was super into them, because I didn't think wizards and magic were my thing. I never even saw the movies so the whole storyline is completely new to me. So apparently wizards and magic are totally my thing. I want a wand and a cloak now. I have even found myself on the Pottermore website. FYI I suck at potions but I'm awesome at spells.

I now understand all these Harry Potter references. Like now I totally get the whole..

"I solemnly swear I am up to no good" 

So when my niece finished the series my parents took her to Harry Potter World in Florida. 

Think I can convince them to take me?? 

IRL

This blog started as a way to keep my family updated on all things we were up to. As a great big bonus we have met some amazing people and made some real friends along the way.

Last week we met up with Jan and Bob. Jan had send me the last 2 books of the Hunger Games Trilogy and we decided to finally meet IRL (in real life) when it was time to give them back!

  Jan has been reading this here ol' blog for awhile now. And I have been reading hers for a while now too! She always leaves us nice comments and even sends the girls really super awesome surprises! Books, and dolls and even the most beautiful home-made quilt for Lou.

Jan's blogs are creative, fun and interesting. And after a 3 hour meal we found that Jan and Bob are super awesome interesting people. They live a life filled with books and many, many adventures. They reminded us of us! Bob was the quiet type (Joey!) and Jan is the talker (Me!). They have 2 daughters (Umm Phi and Lou! Hello!) And then we found out that we drive the same kind of car!

We are already looking forward to out next meet up!

Click Here to find one of Jan's blogs!