Free Summer Movies

Regal Entertainment Group

I'm always looking for something to keep Bean from getting bored in the summer. However, most of the day camps and other activities cost a fortune! This summer, we'll be going to the Regal Entertainment Group Free Family Film Festival twice a week. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday all summer long, Regal is offering two free kids movies, one rated G and one rated PG. The movies start at 10AM and are available on a first come first served basis.

Bean and I went for the first time today. We saw Night at the Museum II. Admittedly, we have the DVD, but there's something special about seeing a movie on the big screen. (Truthfully, we have nearly all of the movies they are showing this summer!) Besides, we're in the middle of an unexpected heat wave here in Georgia, and the air conditioning at the theatre was wonderful! The following is the schedule for the free movies in Georgia (this schedule does vary by state, so be sure to check whats playing before you go):

• June 15-17 Charlotte's Web, Night at the Museum II
• June 22-24 Wallace and Gromit, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
• June 29-1 Polar Express, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
• July 6-8 Doogal, Planet 51
• July 13-15 Pirates Who Don't Do Anything, Imagine That
• July 20-22 March of the Penguins, Paul Blart: Mall Cop
• July 27-29 Kit Kittredge: American Girl, Hotel for Dogs
• August 3-5 Arctic Tale, Monsters VS Aliens

Check Regal's website or your local theatre to see if they are participating in this fun festival. Our local theatre showed each movie on 3 screens, 2 for daycare groups and 1 for families, so there were plenty of seats for everyone. They do offer a full concession menu including Kids Meals during the movies, so you might want to buy some popcorn with the money you're saving on tickets. This Family Film Festival is a fantastic idea and I hope it continues for years to come.

Crocs

I don't know about you, but when I first saw Crocs, I didn't like the look of them. And then I drowned my shoes in a sudden downpour at Disney World. The Pirates of the Caribbean Crocs were on clearance at the Pirate shop, so I decided to give them a try. Within a few hours, I was hooked. My feet felt fantastic and the rain no longer bothered me. Admittedly, I did have to wear them with peds liner socks for the first few days to avoid blisters, but it was a small price to pay for comfort. I liked my Crocs so much that I wore them everywhere and actually wore them out. (There is no tread left on my first pair!) I found another pair of the Pirate Crocs at a Crocs outlet in St. Augustine for $10, so I replaced my first pair. Then I decided to give the ladies Mary Jane style a try. They quickly became my new favorite shoes. They are less bulky and have a more sleek look to them and I love them. I got basic pearl white and love to change them up with Jibbitz. They are a lot of fun. I haven't managed to get a pair of the Mickey Crocs yet, but I keep looking, hoping to find some at a more reasonable price than at Disney World. Sometimes you can get them at Big Lots or Ross for $10 or less, and the Crocs outlets are great too.

Twilight

Just a quick note for all you Twilight Fans. How would you like to win a copy of the new Stephanie Meyer Twilight book: The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner. Books Complete Me is having their first giveaway; you can win a copy of this new book which will be released on Saturday. So be sure to head over and check it out.

Memorial Day

In honor of those who serve, please take a moment today to thank the members of our military, both past and present for the sacrifices they make to keep us safe. Many members of my family have served and continue to serve today. I am grateful for all that they do to protect our freedoms. As Walt Disney once said, "Tomorrow will be better for as long as America keeps alive the ideals of freedom and a better life." Thank you to our military for keeping those ideals alive.

Star Wars toys

Every year, just in time for Star Wars Weekends, Disney releases a new set of Star Wars toys. This year, they have a set of 4 die-cast racers, the fourth set to be released. These new racers feature Yoda, a Clone Trooper, Battle Droid, and Jedi Master Plo Koon. Each car will be available for $5.95. There is also a new set of Disney characters dressed as characters from Star Wars. This years characters include Mickey as Luke Skywalker complete with green lightsaber, Minnie as Princess Leia in her Boushh disguise with removable helmet and thermal grenade, Donald as Han Solo with a staff and encased in a block of carbonite, Goofy as C-3PO, and Pete as Boba Fett with removable helmet, jet pack and blaster. Each figure will be packaged individually and available for $8.95. Some time later this year, Disney will be releasing a Star Wars themed vinylmation set. So far, only three images of the set have been released: Darth Vader, a Storm Trooper, and Lando Calrissian. I can't decide if I like the vinylmations. Some of them are really cute, but they have a lot of weird ones too. However, the pictures released for the Star Wars ones look pretty cool.

Star Wars Pins

There are several new Star Wars pins that have been created just for this years Star Wars Weekends at Disney World. Several of the individual pins feature key scenes from the Empire Strikes Back including a dimensional AT-AT being circled by a Snowspeeder. A massive jumbo pin in the shape of the number 30 is filled with characters from the movie. A boxed set of six characters and there vehicles has been created. There's also a set of Muppet Star Wars pins, a R2-MK (like a red R2-D2 but with Mickey ears), and a special limited edition pin. My favorite is the passholder limited edition pin which features Han Solo in carbonite. Finally, there's a limited release pin featuring the logo for the Star Wars Weekends.

Lightsaber Chopsticks

Now the Force can be with you even while eating sushi... introducing Lightsaber chopsticks. Japanese toy company Kotobukiya has created an entire line of Lightsaber chopstick sets. The blades are cast in a translucent material and each pair of chopsticks comes with a translucent chopstick rest featuring the Star Wars logo. The Luke Skywalker (available in green or blue), Darth Vader (red), Mace Windu (purple), and Darth Maul (red) sets are over 9" long, suitable for adult use. The Darth Maul set also attach end to end like in the movie to create one long lightsaber. There is also a Yoda (green) set, which is shorter and intended for use by children. The chopsticks are available directly from Kotobukiya, on Amazon, and from Star Wars Shop. Amazon has sets are available now, while the others are on pre-order until August. These would make great gifts for your favorite Star Wars fan!