Summer Movie Express 2015

Hi friends!

Now that spring break is over, we are starting to look forward to the summer months. 

One of the great programs available for kids is the Regal Entertainment Summer Movie Express. They are showing a variety of G and Pg rated movies for young and not so young, for $1 a person. 

Movies are at participating locations and the movies start time is 10 am, on Tuesdays and Wednesday's, starting on June 23rd.

Here is the list of movies that they are showing. For move information visit http://www.regmovies.com/movies/summer-movie-express

• Week 1
  Nut Job
  Annie
• Week 2
  Earth to Echo
  The Boxtrolls
• Week 3
  Paddington
  Turbo
• Week 4
  Rio 2
  How To Train Your Dragon 2
• Week 5
  Mr. Peabody & Sherman
  The Book of Life
• Week 6
  Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
  Penguins of Madagascar 
• Week 7
  Madagascar 3
  Dolphin Tale 2 
• Week 8
  Muppets Most Wanted
  Alexander and the Very Bad Day
• Week 9
  The Lego Movie 
  The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water

Stop Hunger Now

I think one of the highlights of yesterday that we will talk about until it comes around next year was the Stop Hunger Now packing event at Trinity.

This was the boys (and our) second year participating and the boys had so much fun this year with packing the actual meal bags. We had quite a smooth production going and the boys had a blast standing on chairs and putting the needed vegetables, soy and rice into the bags. Between that and occasionally running around to be a runner for our and other tables, there was plenty to do and different things to do. 

At the end of the event, the boys even helped pack the bags of food into bigger boxes and got a chance to ring the gong at the end of the event. We highly recommend everyone to participate in an event like this at some point. Until next year, we will start saving our coins for donation in a new can and continue to talk about needs of the world.

Adventures in quilting!

So I've wanted to become one of those cool people. Of course you know who they are: the quilters! The task always seemed sooo daunting to me and while I like to tell myself that I can pick out fun fabrics, I rarely follow through and make something out of them. 

Not anymore, folks. This mama went ahead and finally is in the process of making something out of the cute Halloween fabric picked up at Joann's fabrics.

Not really having any idea of what pattern to work with, and not wanting to do just square blocks of fabric stitched together, I decided to cut 8-inch long strips of fabric  of all 5 materials that I got. (Fancy, I know.) While the length was pretty uniform, the width was off on the different fabrics. Oops. Just kept working with it!

Next, I found that laying some fabric horizontal and some vertical made a pretty cool look. The husband approved, so I went with it, and decided to make a new Halloween themed table runner!! 

After arranging and sewing the top together, I hemmed the edges as straight as I could, and then made another trip to Joann's for interfacing and black fabric for the back. Cut the interfacing and black fabric to size, hemmed the black backing... And that's where I am now. 

Next up: hand quilting the front, middle, and back together, to keep the layers together... 

Here's a pic of the stage I am at now - will post a pic of the final thing laid out on my table afterwards! 

Soccer Mom Summer

This summer we signed the boys up for summer soccer through our local AYSO. It's a completely volunteer-run soccer group, so that means that dads and moms are coaches for the kiddos.

Jackson and Charlie both have never played soccer before, or any other organized sport for that matter. The first practice before the season started was fun - Jackson had no idea what he was doing but he was really motivated. We missed the pre-season practice for Charlie's team. Charlie was a good "little coach" for Jackson's team though, trying to tell the kids to do whatever the coach was saying, pointing his finger and making demands, etc. Made us laugh.

Move onto the first couple games of the season - the games are either at 5:30pm or 6:45pm, twice a week. Late for us. We usually are eating dinner at 5:30 and winding down/relaxing afterwards, so these game times were really late for our family. Most of our games are at 6:45!

The kids went to their first games, with myself going to Charlie's first game and Sean going to Jackson's first game. The next game of the week Sean and I flip-flop so we can each see them play during the week.

Jackson and Charlie are so sweet in wanting to learn how to play, but if you were at the game you could tell that the late start time is hard for Charlie. Jackson keeps trying, and that's all that really matters, right?

This past week, I was at a game where Jackson's team (all seasoned players, except Jackson) were up against another team, who were all rookies at soccer. Jackson's team scored so many points and the ball stayed in their possession for most of the game. This was the first time as a parent that I've witnessed the 'crazy sport parent'. There were these two dads who stood on the side line, arms folded and yelling at their sons, to get the ball, keep running, go go go! One of them even threatened to take away the kiddos video game time if he didn't kick the ball. It was like a train wreck for me to see and hear.

These kids are under 7 years old. They are not going to win scholarships for college or be picked up by some agent at a summer soccer league. Yes, I understand that they were trying to encourage their children, however the threats of things being taken away? There were many other things that were said during that game, and then the *staring* at me when I would yell to Jackson to keep running (he was doing spins on the field. Fun, but not soccer!) with his team and just keep running. It wasn't just one look by these dads, but several, and they'd quickly look away when I'd look back at them. Maybe it was because I was breastfeeding Tabitha (with a blanket!) or something? I'm not sure.

Anyways, I just wanted to write about my first experience, as a mama, seeing the crazy sport parent in action. And yes, I'm sure that was pretty mild compared to some of what other kids go through with dedicated training.. but it was new to me!!

What the Bugs are Watching lately

So I got to thinking about what shows my kids like to watch, and how educational they are (well, some of the shows anyways). Because my kids DO watch TV, and we're OK with that.

Some of their favorites (and ours) are:

1.  Team Umizoomi

This show is about math, shapes, patterns and the like, all mixed into a 20-something minute show of adventure and problem solving. The characters, Millie, Geo and Bot are interesting and cutely animated with kids/adults filmed in there too. It's neat to have the 'interaction' between the kids and the cartoons. I think the show aired/is shown on Nickelodeon, but we watch it on the Amazon Prime account we currently have.

2. Super Why!
This show is a computer-animated show of storybook characters who use their super powers to solve problems and working together to find solutions that the story book characters have. It uses ABCs, missing letters to form words, rhyming words and also 'drawing' the words in the air.

3. Leap Frog
There are a few of the leap frog cartoons on netflix. These consist of stories involving the alphabet and/or numbers with characters ranging from frogs (the newest cartoon) to dogs (the older ones, for us anyways).

4. Word World
Another animated show that works on the alphabet, "where words come alive". Unique twist to this show is just about everything is word-made. A dog has letters d, o, g, together in its body to spell dog. It's really cute and different from other word cartoons. The characters can bunch letter combinations to build new things too, which is different!

5. Blues Clues
Yes, from the 1990s/2000's but we love Blue and Steve/Joe, along with her companions and finding all those clues.

6. Baby First TV
The boys like this show on netflix, specifically the video about painting. It's aimed for kids younger, but that's ok. There is learning in the mix for older kiddos.

7. Thomas and Friends
Classic Thomas is better than the newly animated Thomas in my opinion, but the new stuff is good too. There are many various shows available on netflix to watch.

8. Phineas and Ferb
A Disney creation of a family and the boys creations. Music in every episode. Good music too! Plus, Perry the Platypus is in the show.

9. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
I have to admit, I was a major animation-snob when it came to this version of Mickey Mouse. But, the show has grown on me. I'm still more for the 2d animation of the mouse. Cute show.

10. Anything Pokemon
Thank you Ammah (my mama). Luckily there is plenty of pokemon on netflix! The boys love this show. I only like the original 150 pokemon, because after that there are way too many to catch, and I cannot possibly catch them all.

11. Sonic the Hedgehog
Kids love this show. I'm not a huge fan but the boys love it.

12. Care Bears
Same characters from the 1980s version, however in the 3d computer animation style. Same type of show though.

13. My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic
The new MLP is pretty good. Nice story line, where as the 1980s version really had no story line at all. Loved the show growing up though. The folks who made Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends, Powerpuff Girls and Dexter's Laboratory re-rolled MLP into what it is today. I like the animation, and the kids love the show. I think my husband is a total Bronie.

14. Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends
Ok, so overall this show is good, and the kids enjoy it for the most part, however I do have to admit they over use words like "stupid" and "dumb" and "shut up", so if those words are not allowed in your house, be forewarned. I love this show.



What are your favorite kids shows?

Charles' 5th Minion Birthday

Charlie turned 5 in April! Crazy. It's been 5 years.
We celebrated his birthday with friends from school and church at Pump It Up, which is our go-to for the special #5 birthday.
Charlie wanted a Minion birthday party theme, so here are some pics from the day and also his Minion theme! Enjoy!