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Movies for all
Yesterday we went to see Julie & Julia (which I’ve been looking forward to seeing for quite a while now) and my Grandma came too! How cool is it that? My Grandma is a blogger, she’s old enough to appreciate Julia Child in her day and she likes to go to movies with her granddaughter and friends. I think we might have to make a tradition out of it if there are enough suitable movies to see.
I was a little worried since I read the book and I knew there would be some f-bombs dropped and some sex scenes alluded to. Not exactly the tea party you would take most grandmothers to but my Grandma took it in stride. I guess she’s wise and has probably seen way worse things in her life. I looked over at her often during the movie and she was chuckling along with the rest of the audience. My Grandma is just plain cool.
But the funny thing was, when we showed up for the movie there was a line around the building. It wasn’t opening night or anything. It was a Thursday, in the middle of the day, in the STICKS! So what was so special? I’m still not sure but it had something to do with seniors. When we got inside, the theatre was packed and everyone had white hair. There were elderly people with canes and walkers and oxygen tanks. I guess it was Senior Day at the theatre. I had no idea there was such a thing. I thought we’d have the theatre to ourselves. It was all fine other than the fact that we had to sit in the front because we got there late (which was not really late at all but I guess seniors on more on top of the early bird deals than we are). In fact, I sort of liked the running commentary from the retired couple beside us.
It was a great movie for all ages. Well, except the eleven-and-under crowd. But we had a plan for them. While Bethany, CC, my grandma and I ducked into Julie & Julia, my nieces, Bug and Annalie got to go see G-Force with my mom. I’m so glad my mom likes those kiddie movies because I do not one bit. I just can’t get into movies with real life animals talking. I think Space Buddies killed it for me.
So that was that: a fun day for everyone. I should probably share about the little melt down that Bug had in the bathroom at the theatre while my mom was watching her…but just thinking about it makes me tired. I think I’ll save that for a post all on it’s own. Bethany actually wrote a post about Bug and her meltdowns regarding the bathroom for me a while back and it’s sitting in my drafts waiting to be posted. So you have that to look forward.
In the meantime, go see Julie and Julia. It was great!
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Craft Camp at Auntie’s
My niece, Rapunzel, has been staying with us for a week. She calls it “Auntie Boot Camp” because a long time ago I told her she could come visit me for a week if she’d let me school some manners into her. It was a joke, mostly, because she has this terrible habit of burping loudly and then sweetly saying “excuse me” as if young ladies burp like monsters all the time.
I don’t know, maybe burping is totally normal for 11-year-olds, but it drives me crazy because then Bug wants to copy her. Next thing you know I have a chorus of burp blasts and little excuse me‘s echoing around my living room. Personally, I think it’s gross.
Thankfully, aside from the burping, Rapunzel is a delightful tween and hardly needs boot camp for manners. She’s actually quite a help around the house and with Bug. She’s just old enough to go run errands without me having to worry that she’ll get lost between here and the neighbor’s house, yet still young enough to still enjoy a good swing in the park. We’ve been having a great time.
In fact, today I organized a craft camp with some friends and the kids I babysit. There were seven kids total. CRAZAY, I know! I couldn’t have done it without some key older mom friends (Hi Jen!), my super-fun artist neighbor (Hi Deb!) and my niece who loves crafts (What up, Rapunzel).
We had to do the craft at my friend Deb’s house because it is hotter than Hades in my house in the summer, and I do not have a yard in which to make messes. My friend Deb has a shady covered carport and that’s where we set up. It was great.
We made seashell mosaics. (A step-by-step post will be up at Alpha Mom tomorrow.) It wasn’t a crazy original craft but it was definitely a crowd-pleaser. Simple, fun, and a bit messy—perfect for bored kids on a long summer afternoon. I recommend it!
I think Rapunzel will go home with lots of memories of good times. We’ve kept her plenty busy so far and the week is only half over. Between trips to the beach to collect shells, our traditional breakfast of doughnuts on the lifeguard tower and a day of errands all over the place to collect supplies for my craft camp, we’re really packing it in.
Apparently we’re burning lots of calories while we pack it in because tweenagers can EAT!!! I knew I’d have to stock up on lots of extra fruit and snacks, but I had no idea she would be a bottomless pit. She eats a regular adult-sized portion of dinner, then has dessert, then goes back for seconds of dinner and then has some fruit…after that I had to cut her off, because sheesh! She’s going to eat me out of house and home. I’m glad Bug is only three. I’m sooooo not ready for a teenager.
But it’s been fun. Definitely fun for a week.
