This week we have been watching the movie "Heartland."  It is a very well-done movie about homesteading in the early 1900's.  However, it portrays a life that was harsh and unrelenting. 

(note: there are also graphic scenes of how animals become food. this movie is not for the squeamish. preview before watching with your children)

There were some sad and difficult parts, and my daughters were making sympathetic noises during those scenes.  HOWEVER...

my boy was screaming with excitement throughout the movie.  His twenty-month-old self was just too excited, and he was bouncing in Daddy's lap yelling, "Train, train!  Wook! Train!"  or  "Chruck!  Chruck!  (truck) Yay!" or "Tows (cows)!  Oh, wook, Mama, tows!)"   or "Horsies!  neigh! neigh! Horsies!"

The next day while Baby Boy was sitting between us eating breakfast, DH and I were enjoying remembering how thrilled Boyo was during the movie.  I said that was to be expected.  "After all, there were trains, trucks, cows and horses.  What more could a boy want?'

Without missing a beat, my son looked up and said, "Doggies!"

Oh, yeah, I forgot.  Boys want trucks, trains, cows, horses and doggies.  Oops, my bad.