How To Train Your Dragon 2

I am not sure what the weather was like for you guys this past week but around here it did not feel like summer at all. It quickly became apparent this past Saturday that we would not be able to spend the day at the pool. So we came up with "plan B" - a trip to the movies.

While it was easy to get all five of us on-board with a trip to the movies, it was not easy at all to pick a movie that appealed to all. There is a six year age spread among our children and it seems like we are entering the awkward years, like when your tween and five year old are on two totally different planets. I mean really B suggested "The Fault In Our Stars". God help me!

Hubby and I decided that the best bet for all of us would be "How To Train Your Dragon 2". Five years ago we all loved Hiccup and Toothless' story so it seemed fitting that we see what they had been up.  As with the first movie, I thought it sent a wonderful message in the power of standing together to make a change in the world. Anytime a sweet and touching movie acts as a segway to remind my children that if they stand for nothing they will fall for anything is a win in my book!

Everything Is Awesome!

Over our extra-long weekend we took the kiddos to see the "The Lego Movie". All of my children, Hubby included, have been dying to see this movie since we saw a trailer this past summer. All of them had been counting down the days until we got to go. L woke up yesterday morning and exclaimed that it was "Lego Day". Honestly you would have thought it was Christmas!

Personally, I was not as excited as they were. I mean really, a movie about Legos!?! But I have to tell you that I was so wrong!!! "The Lego Movie" was a great family film. No matter what your age this movie will make you laugh.(Hubby's note-She is right, it really is a very funny movie no matter how old you are.) It also had a wonderful message that kids need to hear - believe in yourself. I am sure that sounds cheesy but what child does not need to hear that it is important to believe you can accomplish things, especially when others don't think you can.

And if you are easily moved to tears, like myself, you might want to bring a tissue or two!

"American Hustle"

After way too much time stuck inside, Hubby and I got a sitter for the kiddos this past weekend. Since Hubby and I are both fans of Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Copper, we had to see American Hustle. You know I love our children but sometimes a couple needs time away. Even if for just a movie!

According to IMDB - A con man, Irving Rosenfeld (played by Christian Bale), along with his seductive British partner, Sydney Prosser (played by Amy Adams), is forced to work for a wild FBI agent, Richie DiMaso (played by Bradley Copper). DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia.

It has been over two days since we saw the movie and I have to say I am still not sure what I thought of it. Yes it was an entertaining story and I could see how all of the actors must have loved playing these over the top characters. The costumes, make-up and hair styles were so well done. Yet the story line seemed weak and the pace of the movie was not consistent. I am just not buying that this was the best movie of the year. Anyone else agree?

"Saving Mr Banks"

A little while ago B and I snuck away for a girl's afternoon. As B gets older I fear that she will not want to spend her free time with her boring mother. So how could I say no when she asked if I would take her to the movies!?!

Per B's request, we went to see "Saving Mr Banks". Both B and I love the movie "Mary Poppins" so I thought it was more than fitting that we see a movie about how it came to be a movie. I had no idea that Walt Disney (played by Tom Hanks) had tried for over twenty years to obtain the movie right to "Mary Poppins" because of a promise that he had made to his daughters. Nor did I know that P.L. Travers (played by Emma Thompson) never really wanted to give Disney the rights but had to due to money issues. The movie did a wonderful job of telling the story of how Disney came to get the movie rights, all the while giving us some insight into P.L. Travers' childhood.

I do have to say that the movie had more "dark" parts than the previews would have led you to believe. I was very happy that I only took B to see this movie and did not bring the younger two alone. All in all it was a great movie that B and I enjoyed. That must say a lot if the tween and I agreed on it!

Beating The Heat

Unfortunately due to L's stitches we will not be going to the pool for the time being.  So in order to beat the heat today I took the kiddos to the movies.  I am not sure if I am the only one that feels this way but I think that movie theaters are the coldest place on earth!  Whenever we go to the movies I also pack a cardigan and man was I glad I did today!!!

Since the kiddos are big fans of Monsters Inc, we decided to see Monsters University today.  I think it is fair to say that we all just loved the film.  I wish I could have taped my children's reactions during the movie.  Their over the top laughter always makes me giggle!

Thank goodness there are a bunch of family movies out right now!  I have a feeling that we will going to the movies a couple more times before we get the green light for L to swim.  But I am happy to report that he is going well and on his way to being good as new.  

Thank you all for your sweet comments yesterday!  It truly warmed my heart that so many bloggers were thinking of L!!!

Thank You Redbox!

After B and I visited the doctor on Monday we went over to our local grocery store for much need supplies.  Gatorade, tissues and soup were just what the two of us sick gals needed.  And as luck would have it there was a video at the Redbox that B really wanted to see, The Odd Life of Timothy Green!  (I don't know about you but I feel like we never find anything that we want to see at Redbox.  But I have friends that love it...maybe it is just me?)

Disney describes their movie as an inspiring and magical family movie.  "Cindy (Garner) and Jim Green are a happily married couple who can't wait to start a family but can only dream about what their child would be like. When young Timothy shows up on their doorstep one stormy night, Cindy and Jim - and their small town of Stanleyville - learn that sometimes the unexpected can bring some of life's greatest gifts. From Academy Award^® -nominated director/writer Peter Hedges (About A Boy, Best Adapted Screenplay, 2002; Dan In Real Life; What's Eating Gilbert Grape) - and complete with engaging bonus features - it's a heartwarming celebration of family as only Disney can deliver."

Now for B's review...."It was a well thought out movie.  And something that I thought was a little part of the movie turned out of be a big part of the movie.  I really liked it!"  For me there was a lot of willful suspense of disbelief but it was a great feel good movie for our sick day. 

Do you have any "go-to" movies for sick days?

Excelsior

Early last night a bunch of sweet Hubbies in NoVa took one for the team. (Hubby's note- Yes. Yes we did.) They watched their kiddos so a group of us ladies could go out to the movies together. I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am since we had the best time!

We went to see "Silver Lining Playbook" and for me it totally lived up to all of its Oscar buzz. Some how this movie is a comedy, drama and romance all rolled into one. Plus it also touches on the fact that we are all a little crazy and that it is a good thing. 

Some of the ladies in the group might have laughed at me when I pulled out not one but two packs of tissues. But let me tell you that everyone was happy when I had enough tissues for all in our group.  It was a "we laughed and we cried" kind of a movie!

So in the spirit of "Silver Lining Playbook", I hope your week moves ever upward.  Excelsior!

On Right Now II

As I type this the kiddos and Hubby are in the family room watching "Christmas Story" together.  Hubby just loves this movie and he is trying to instill a love of it in our children too. (Hubby's note- I am watching with the remote in hand so I don't have to answer "what did he really say?" when Ralphie says "oh fudge!")

After Friday's tragedy just being able to enjoy a Christmas movie with our children is a blessing I hold dear.

On Right Now

As I type this my Hubby is enjoying his most favorite Christmas movie ever.  He just loves "Miracle On 34th Street"! (Hubby's note- I do love this movie but the colorized version of the original, and even worse the the 1990s remake, are both an affront to all that is good and right in the world.)

It might not be my most favorite Christmas movie but I love how Hubby really gets into the season. 

Not The Best Use Of Time

I think that I mentioned this before but our cul-de-sac has a progressive Christmas dinner and this year we hosted the dinner part of the night.  So one would think that Saturday morning I was up and cleaning for the party but you would be wrong!  We all got comfy in the family room and watched "Brave".  The kiddos and I had already seen "Brave" in the theater this summer but Hubby had not seen it yet and the kiddos really wanted to show it to him. It is a great movie but ever notice how when Hollywood wants someone to be perceived as wild or an outsider in a movie they give them red hair?

I love taking my kiddos to the movies and watching movies with them at home.  It is not so much about the movie itself as it is about their reactions.  M's reactions in particular.  No one laughs like he does!  

Sometimes M laughs so hard we fear he will have a seizure.  Trust me his laughing fits are unreal! M laughs so hard that there is no way the rest of the family can help but join in  and laugh too.  And "Brave" did not disappoint.  M was laughing from the beginning of the movie until the end.  As were the other two kiddos.  The kiddos would give the movie "Brave" two thumbs up!

Watching a movie with my family while I should have been cleaning might seem like a bad idea but I think overall it was time well spent!!

Children With Opinions

Monday and Tuesday are teacher work-days here in NoVa, so I  thought it was the perfect time to take my kiddos to see "Wreck It Ralph".  My children have been looking forward to this movie since they saw the previews in June.  I have to admit that I was looking forward to the movie too! And I must say that we were not the only ones who thought it was a good day for an early movie.  It was packed!!!

After we rushed into to claim the last four seats in a row, we got an extra large bag of popcorn. I brought three brown paper bags with us to the theater and divided the popcorn among the bags.  First time ever that we did not have a major spill when passing the popcorn bag back and forth!

B thought the movie was awesome!  Her favorite part was when Ralph figured out that Vanellope was never meant to be a glitch.  M loved that Ralph gave the homeless game characters a new home in "Fix It Felix Jr." in the game's new bonus level.  He might have had several laughing fits during the movie...I love those!!!

L's thoughts on the movie are a little all over the place, but we can't ask too much from a four year old.  He would like you to know that he loved it when Ralph and Vanellope made a race car together with "the icing" but he wants to give too much away.  So please forgive me for not giving you L's full review.

How lucky am I to spend my day with these wonderful kids!?!