Family Night with The Boxtrolls

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Universal Pictures, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #BoxtrollsFamilyNite http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

   Every Monday night our family likes to get together to spend time with each other. What we do varies from week to week. Sometimes we have discussion about an issue affecting our family, sometimes we play games, and sometimes we go on an adventure! The one constant on all these activities is that focus is always on how will this activity help us to grow closer as a family and increase our faith in Jesus Christ.

   Last week we had a wonderful time evening at the "drive-in" to see a movie. It all started last week when I was at Walmart with my oldest son. As we walked in he squeezed my hand and said, "Dad, I like being with you. We go fun places, you listen to me when I talk, and you always buy cool stuff!" My heart melted and I knew I had a reputation to uphold. We had been talking about The Boxtrolls coming out on DVD. Garren spotted it on the shelf so we grabbed it, along with a box of Pop Secret 10ct Home-Style Popcorn. The shelves were pretty empty for both items, so stop by Walmart and pick them up while supplies last.

       On Monday I got home a little early (on time) and started our activity. I brought home some cardboard boxes and my wife Kristie gave the kids some paints. The kids loved making their CAR-dboard boxes so they could have something to sit in during the movie. While they were busy, Kristie and I got busy on the Family Night treat. Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn is a great and fast snack, but we don't do anything halfway on Family Night.




   In theme with The Boxtrolls' trash digging habits, we made popcorn garbage balls. They aren't incredibly hard, and taste great! 

• 1 Bag of Pop Secret Home-Style Popcorn
• 1/3 cup of light corn syrup
• 1/8 cup of butter
• 1 teaspoon of water
• 1/2 cup of marshmallows
• 1 1/4 cup of powdered sugar
• assorted treats and candies 

   You basically throw everything but the popcorn and candies in a sauce pan on low heat until it all melts together. Pop your corn and put in a large mixing bowl. Then pour over your glaze from the sauce pan. Though it should not boil, it will hot, so caution if cooking with kids. From here, grease your hands and mix in your favorite candies and treats lying around the house! We made two batches. One had M&M's, Oreos, and Animal Crackers; while the other was more fruity with Nerds, Skittles, and Mike & Ike's. Then just form the mix into balls and serve!

   The kids loved watching The Boxtrolls at our in home Driver-in with their Popcorn Garbage Balls. I don't think I have even seen them sit on one spot for so long. Even our little Ginger stayed in her box for the whole film. The Boxtrolls is the story of a young orphaned boy raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors. He tries to save his friends from an evil exterminator who has convinced the town that the trolls will steal their children in the night.

   After the movie ended we made sure to take time out to discuss the themes and lessons from the movie. Having just celebrated Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday the month previously, the kids were well versed in awful outcomes of prejudice. We also spoke about being loyal to your friends and supporting them during the good times, and in time of trial. 

   It isn't always easy making sure we get together every Monday, and honestly there are some nights that we just slap it all together. We continue to do it though because we never want our children to doubt that we love them, that home is a place they can feel safe, and that if they ever need to know what to do or how to act; they can feel comfortable having an open conversation with their parents about it.

"Dad, I don't have any friends at school... because of my Aspergers."

"Dad, I don't have any friends at school. I think it is because I am different because of my Aspergers."

It was a situation I knew one day we would face. We knew our oldest son Garren was different from a young age. He read really early and really well, he would talk nonstop about facts and figures of things he was interested in, and when with other children he was perfectly content playing independently. Once Garren started first grade we had confirmed that he had Aspergers.

Young kids were generally patient with his quirks and he had good friends at school that we were also friends with outside of school. Now he is facing more serious consequences in our new home in Arizona.

Last night Mom was at Homemaking and me and the kids were just sitting around the living room talking. Then Garren says, "Dad, I don't have any friends at school. I think it is because I am different because of my Aspergers." I didn't know what to say, and honestly would have cried if I opened my mouth. I just smiled at him.

I need some advice; how do I help my son gain the confidence in himself and create meaningful friendships at school?

Meet the Mormons (2014): Mormon Movie Review

 

(Grade A)

   I didn’t intend on seeing the Church’s new film, Meet the Mormons right away. I wanted to see it, but didn’t see the need to view it in the theatre. Who wants to pay nearly $20 for you and your date to see a 70 minute I’m a Mormon commercial? Then I saw the invitation from Jeffrey R Holland.

Read the Full Review…

Guest Post: General Conference Traditions

My beautiful wife shares some of our General Conference traditions. She has started a blog of her own sharing her side of the story when it comes to how she experiences this Mormon life. You can also read my General Conference post from last year.

I LOVE traditions! And I love General Conference. Every 1st weekend of April and October a General Conference is held where our dear prophet and other church leaders speak to us. And I truly believe that Thomas S. Monson is a real prophet who speaks for The Lord. Like Noah or Abraham of old. It is a great weekend to get answers to struggles or personal revelation on how we can better come unto Christ. It's always inspiring. I always feel the spirit. And everyone is welcomed to listen. They have two general sessions on Saturday and two sessions on Sunday. There is also a Priesthood session Saturday night. Always fun to see the Conference quotes on Pinterest after a session. Love that we can have reminders in our home after conference is over to help us remember the great things we learned.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014): Mormon Movie Review

 

by Grady
(Grade: C+)

I went into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with pretty low expectations. I can safely say it was better that I expected, but not as good as I had hoped.

I think I’ll lead off with the things that went as expected.

First is the overuse of CGI. If you have ever read a review by me you will know I am a big fan of practical effects. Having your five of your main characters be hyper blur martial artists is a discredit to the medium of feature film. It was very good animation, but it was still animation. The plot was very weak and transparent. The only spoiler I will give in this post is that there are no spoilers! Everything happens just as you expect it would.

Read the rest of the article on Mormons at the Megaplex…

Review: 1776 is a Jovial and Musical Tribute to How Our Nation was Founded

(Grade: B-)

I love musicals and I love America! As we approach Independence Day I was hard pressed to find a film that tells they story or the signing of the Declaration of Independence, let alone the Revolutionary War. After much data mining I excavated this gem from 1972…

For the full movie review along with a content guide and spiritual messages to discuss visit the Mormons at the Megaplex.

Millennial Choirs & Orchestras- To Be American: Mormon Music Review

   I have been singing with the Millennial Choirs & Orchestras for about eight years now and we have recorded three full length albums ranging from the birth of Christ to his visit on the American continent.

   MCO’s newest album, “To Be American” is a musical tribute to God & Country.