Bionicle, Barbie, and Barack

Instead of making calls as a local volunteer for the Barack Obama campaign,or feigning interest in my son's latest bionicle creation, I did something unprecedented: I watched Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper. No, not by myself, but with a very eager three year old. And you know what? It wasn't so bad. Sad, right? I know, I know. Based on the story by Mark Twain, I have to say it was fairly engaging and had the added bonus of being a musical. The hollow looking eyes and vacant expressions kinda freak me out. Barbie is, after all, a doll. Yet you would think animators could imbue these characters with more human like qualities. Of course, none of this matters to Emily. She loves all the Barbie movies. And so, it was with this in mind that I finally gave in, and sat down next to her while she sang along to the catchy tunes. I found myself smiling, and with days filled with "To-Do" lists, laundry to be washed, food to be prepared, bills to write, errands to run, etc etc.it's nice to find something that makes me smile. Even if it's watching my daughter watch Barbie. Sometimes, I'm learning, happiness comes from the most unexpected sources.