Now that the weather has warmed up a bit, I am ready to go in the garden.

Last week I raked out the compost and started putting down some new mulch. I also started thinking about what I want in said garden, what plants to add despite not taking out anything else.

I am on the lookout for oblong wire baskets I can attach to the garage windows to give that part of the yards a more ‘cottage’ look to it. Because that is a shade area, I plan to fill the baskets with impatiens and verbena. I have hosta plants that I am willing to trade in case anyone has something other than the leaves with white on the outside and lavender colored flowers. It would be nice to have more than one variety to break things up a bit.

This week when it comes to movies, there are two kid movies our family has been on the lookout for which have hit the stores. I have heard rave reviews about both of these movies, calling them excellent movies for families that we wish we could find all of the time. The Bowman plan is to watch them both this weekend.

The first is Where The Wild Things Are, based on the classic book by Maurice Sendak. The story is about a boy who misbehaves one night and is sent to his room with no supper. Max likes to wear his wolf costume and pretend he is a wild thing. And on that night he gets to go to the magical island where they all live.

Director Spike Jonze has added a few plot points that were not in the book. Max runs away from home to find a boat that leads him to an island with huge monsters that might want to eat him. And these monsters can still be a bit scary for little ones. But Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune, whose opinion I trust, loved this movie when it first came out last summer.

The second movie is Ponyo which is written by the Japanese animation master Hayoa Miyazaki. It is the story of a goldfish princess who longs to be human. One day a five-year-old boy named Sosuke finds her and promises to take care of her after naming her Ponyo. Ponyo then magically become human and this upsets the balance of things. It is filled with wonderful animation and fully realized characters.

Both movies came out the beginning of March and these two were second and third in sales, respectively. Only the disaster movie 2012 beat them out. I would say that is a good sign families are looking for good solid movies to watch. With Ponyo and Where The Wild Things Are, I would say the odds are pretty high families got their wish.

Until next week, see you in the rental aisle.

Let the world know about your latest pick for Family Movie Night and drop a note to momgoestothemovies@sbcglobal.net or become my friend on Facebook.

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