Mom, Dad... I'm Gaelic

Tonight, Jillie wanted to watch an animated movie we've seen close to a dozen times. She could have chosen any one of the Disney movies (God knows I can recite "The Little Mermaid" from heart by now) or a number of other saccharine sweet morality tales portrayed by Strawberry Shortcake or My little Ponies. But she picked a film we stumbled upon months ago on Netflix, an Oscar nominated gem from Ireland called "The Secret of Kells."

I can honestly say that "Kells" is one on my favorites. It's geared towards kids and families, but it does have it's darker moments. The movie follows the fictionalized account of the creation of the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript an one of Ireland's greatest national treasures. Brendan, the young nephew of the Abbot of Kells who expects him to follow in his footsteps. The abbot is obsessed with fortifying the walls around the abbey to protect it from viking invaders, but Brendan is more interested in the work going on in the scriptorium where he hears stories about Brother Aiden and his work on the Book of Iona. After Iona falls to the Norsemen, Brother Aiden flees to Kells and befriends little Brendan, enlisting his help in continuing work on the book. I don't want to give away too much, but along the way Brendan makes friends with a forest spirit named Aisling, bests the monstrous Crom Cruach, and eventually finishes the Book of Iona, rechristening it the Book of Kells.

The Secret of Kells is refreshingly 2D. Don't get me wrong, I love me some 3D CGI animation, but as an artist it is heartening to see a movie drawn by hand, and Kells is done so beautifully! Everything is illustrated very stylistically and is all reminiscent of the art in the Book of Kells itself. The character design is simple, but highly emotive. The backgrounds and scenery, too, are stylized to match the ancient celtic manuscripts. I can't recommend this movie higher. It's a great change of pace from the animated features we've become accustomed to.

In a slightly related piece of news, Jillian will be taking her first Highland Dance class next week! She's really excited to start. I'm hope she likes it and does well, she would look too damn cute with her curly red hair and tartan skirt, dancing up a storm at the highland games. I can't wait.

Gavin had his 18 month well child check today and everything is going well in his development. He's progressing right on track in height and weight. He showed Dr. Luck his muscles, and said "Aaaaaahhh" when he looked in his mouth. Then he got his second flu shot and didn't even cry, he just gave me a pissed off look.

To sum up; "Secret of Kells" = awesome film, Jillian starts dance class next week, and Gavin is mad at me for letting the nurse stick him with a needle.

Thanks for reading! G'night folks.