Summer Fun Passport: Drive-In Movie

Yes, we still have a drive-in theatre in our midst! Granted, we had to drive an hour to get there but it was worth it! Despicable Me 2 me was on the bill. Love those minions.

Here's our full Summer Fun Passport List for 2013 and our passport we made to keep track of everything we accomplish this summer!

Free Outdoor Movie!

SUMMER FUN PASSPORT ENTRY  |  TICK!

Have I mentioned that we love summer? Free outdoor movies is just one reason. These events are popping up all over town. Last year we saw Back to the Future in Stanley Park and Rio in some park on the North Shore. This year, so far, Old Yeller, a Nat Bailey Stadium (Yes, I cried. The kid didn't!).

It looks like a small screen and far, far away but it wasn't as bad as it looks. Well, you get used to it, anyway. And the sound is good. Also good is that because it's not a projection screen, rather a stadium-style screen that can hold its own even in bright sunlight, the start time is a nice kiddie friendly 7 pm. Much earlier than the 9 or 10 start time of the others that have to wait for dusk!

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be one really good place to find out where and when ALL the movies are happening. Part of the challenge is that it's not one organization putting it all together; different companies and different sponsors. Vancouver Magazine has a pretty good list going. Here are some listings for the 'burbs as well. There's even a rumour of "drive-in" style movies popping up in mall parking lots! But I haven't found those yet. When/if I do, sign us up!


Another entry in our Summer Fun Passport

We took the Summer Bucket List Challenge. Our working list is here.

DIY Stop Motion Movie

I just rediscovered this gem ... Spud went on a play date a few months back and came home with this sweet animation that he and his friend directed. He sure has fun friends (not to mention their parents!) It's called A Magic Way of Architecture. No need for popcorn, it's not that long.

A Magic Way of Architecture from mpau on Vimeo.


Completely inspired to do one, one of these days.

"Drink it if You Dare"

Hubs and Spud were busy in the kitchen making potions, just now. "Mama, drink this and then you will become my house elf and do everything I say". A la Dobby from Harry Potter, no doubt. *Giggle*



They also tried to pop some corn without a lid on the pot just to see what would happen. Once it started though, neither of them could stand it, as the kernels began to fly about. Thankfully. And I reaped a few of the rewards of that experiment. Yum. But no brown goo chaser. Sorry Spud.

Our Egyptology

Two more sleeps until Spud's buddy birthday party. This year's theme: Ancient Egypt. It all started when his great aunt gave him some of the new Playmobil Egypt set for Christmas.
Check out this little animation.



He quickly became smitten with the idea of discovering hidden treasures and thwarting robbers trying to steal them. This led to this year's theme and I thought, also a great opportunity to learn more about Egypt in the weeks leading up to the big day. First we went to the library to learn about hieroglyphics. Here's a sneak peak of our work on the goodie bags.





You might notice that we took some liberties with the hieroglyphics, adding some of our own, like the birthday cake! We also found this great book filled with all sorts of Egypt themed activities.



We had fun making papyrus boats out of bendy straws.





MATERIALS
· 16 bendy straws
· tape
· twine/string
And a few nights ago, Hubs showed us a documentary about the Nile which inspired Spud's work here ...



"Hey, look Mama, I'm almost finished colouring in the longest river in the WORLD!"

Friday Night Short: Quatchi, Miga + Sumi

My first mascot was Amik, from the Montreal Olympics in 1976. I loved him to pieces regardless of the fact that he wasn't the least bit cuddly and lacked any sort of personality at all. Since then, I've acquired [or more accurately, my son has acquired] one of the Athens mascots from a good friend who was living there during their Games. And one of Torino's mascots that I brought home after seeing the Games there.

And now I'm a proud owner of three more. I'm really smitten with these wee Vancouver critters. The video is beautiful. Stunning even. Check out video here. The plush versions are here.