Have you taken your kids to the $1 movies yet this summer? I finally took my three this week. We saw Rio at the Regal Cinemas behind the Savannah Mall.

I wasn't sure how it would go. We don't attend movies very often (okay, that's an understatement), and my youngest is 3-years-old. We have never taken him to the movies without having to leave at least once during the show (which I find highly annoying, although I understand it is to be expected for such a little one).

At what age can you take your little one to the movies and expect them to sit relatively well through it? Of course, it depends.

My husband and I took our kids – ages 7, 5 and 2 – to see Mr Popper's Penguins recently. We were pretty certain our two older kids would enjoy the movie, but not so sure about our little guy.

Fortunately, he loves penguins, and managed to watch the movie for the most part. He also really enjoyed
the popcorn and a new favorite... Sprite.

My daughter was Nim from the movie Nim's Island for Halloween. It's a cute movie about a girl and her dad living on a remote tropical island. Her mom was apparently swallowed by a blue whale while Nim was just a baby. That made me wonder... what's with all the stories about girls being raised without their moms?

Poker Run for Gregory
Starting at 9 a.m., August 21, Super Bikes, Garden City. There will be poker run to raise money for Gregory Shadley, Jr., a 15-year-old Effingham County High School student who suffers from Kyphosis Scheuermann's Disease. If you don't ride, come out with family and friends to show your support.

Since the girls are away on their summer vacation at grandma's, my husband and I decided to check out The Karate Kid.

Little H, Big M and I just saw the movie, PONYO, this afternoon.

I'll let you Google it for professional reviews  and background on director Hayao Miyazaki,  but I can tell you my little family gave it thumbs-up all around. Especially worth mentioning is the gloriously beautiful illustration/animation.