Saturday movie review: 'Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day'

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When I visit my grandsons, we all delight in repeated readings of Judith Viorst's book, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." My husband, though, never read the story, never heard me read it to our grandsons. So when I learned we'd be attending a free preview of the film based on the 1972 classic last weekend, I pulled out my picture book and read it to Jim a few days before.

I read my husband the book so he'd know the real story, as even the television commercials promoting the film made it...

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Looking back: 9 things we did right as parents

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Looking back: 9 things we did right as parents

carpenter family portrait

I didn't support my youngest when she wanted to change majors — and universities — midway through her college career.

I didn't call parents to tattle on their mean girls (and boys) who made a living hell of several academic years for my middle daughter.

I didn't demand my oldest...

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Saturday movie review: 'The Skeleton Twins'

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The Skeleton Twins

This movie proves it in spades: Kristen Wiig has acting chops and can play more than funny. In THE SKELETON TWINS, Wiig's character, Maggie, shows not one whit of her freaky yet supposedly funny Saturday Night Live characters. No Penelope. No Target Lady. And no Lawrence Welk singer Doonese. Thank heavens for that, as I cannot stand any of those characters.

Considering my dislike for Wiig's SNL...

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