Today we took the boys to see Space Chimps, and it was pretty cute. Everyone had fun, but they all agreed that Clone Wars was better! Afterward we had lunch at California Pizza Kitchen (do they have those outside of California?) and followed it with a surprise trip to THE LEGO STORE!
It was worth the (ack) $150 we eventually spent to see how excited they were to see so many Lego sets in one place. We were definitely the loudest family in there as all three boys tore around yelling to each other about what they had just found. I now feel kind of guilty that we’d never taken them before, but on the other hand we’ve managed to pay our mortgage up until now, so I guess it has worked out better this way.
They’re currently at the kitchen table building away, and they have no idea that I have one more surprise up my sleeve: a copy of the first Star Wars movie. (Episode IV for those who might insist that it isn’t really the first movie. Oh, and come over here so I can punch you.) Not sure if I’m going to bust it out tonight or tomorrow morning, but it will completely blow their minds. I CANNOT wait!
We’ve been having a great time on our vacation-at-home week, but now I want to think of something really spectacular for tomorrow. Dancing girls? Bringing a circus to our house? A visit by an astronaut? Hmmm, I’ll get back to you.
Photo: Lego Store.
Because that would seriously be so much easier than buying them shoes. Today we had to run and get 2 pairs of soccer cleats before they sell out, plus I need to get everyone some sneakers.
We got the cleats in person, but I’ve been doing the sneakers online. I really really loves me some Zappos and Endless, but even so buying kid shoes makes me want to scream.
First, Henry and Eddie are adamant that they need light-up sneaks. OK, fine, but that limits the selection quickly. Then every brand is sized differently from every other brand, so I end up buying 3 pairs in different sizes and then send the rest back.
The day after I order, the shoes arrive and I have to wrestle the boys into and out of a frillion pairs. Send back the ones that didn’t work, and sometimes even place another order. Some days I think it will go on forever and my children will never have shoes.
However, I have to say — I would rather do anything than take them to a physical shoe store. Yikes, I need a vacation after a trip like that. Whine whine whine, tantrum, complain… Yuck.
All the negative reviews of this movie really make me wonder what people were expecting. Oscar-worthy? Nope. Watchable if you’re over age 10 and didn’t bring kids to the theater with you? No way. But if you take your young kids (I suspect boys will like it better than girls, but I don’t have any girls so I can’t say for sure) who love Star Wars, then you’ll have a blast!
We took Henry (6.5), Eddie (5.75) and Charlie (3.75) and they all LOVED it. To tell you the truth, if Charlie were my only child there’s no way I would have brought him at this age, but with two older brothers so close in age he’s already been exposed to this kind of stuff — you should see him play Lego Star Wars on our Nintendo DS… He’s better than I am.
So while I’m on the fence about letting the boys watch the first real Star Wars (I think that one is Episode IV) because of the live-action violence and real scary nature of the film, I had no problem with them seeing Clone wars. No one got scared, and they were entranced the entire movie. I can’t remember the last time that happened.
In fact, in the middle of the movie, Charlie leaned over, gave me a big hug, and said “Mommy! This is a wonderful movie!” I think that’s the best review you’re going to get. We may go again later in the week!
Photos from here.
Holy crap, I just realized we’re in the middle of a ‘staycation’ — I think that is possibly the worst word recently invented. But who has the money to go anywhere? My dream family vacation is renting a house in the middle of Switzerland with cows, trains, gondolas, cheese, sun, green and such, but really… Now is not the time!
So instead Craig and I have taken this week off from work and are taking the boys on local adventures. For example, today we finally saw Wall-E. (Very cute.) And we’re planning on doing some things like visiting the Lego store, watching hours of Lympics on Tivo, going to see Clone Wars, hitting the beach if the weather warms up, and so on.
It’s better than better than nothing :)
Photo credit: my mom.
My favorite part of this article is where the 1930s woman describes some comments she gets from strangers as “bitchy.” I just love that 30s lingo.
I see that the 70s aren’t taken yet. Maybe I’ll make that the Erika Decade. Rock on.
Photo Credit: Daily Mail
