This review comes from our sister site in Chicago.
Over the last several years, debate has raged at our house if the best Toy Story was Number 1 or Number 2. Mom and Son consistently argue that Toy Story 2 is the best while I believe 1 was the most creative and interesting. Now that we have seen 3, the debate rages on as a family is split three ways. Of course, my son feels like Toy Story 3 is the best one but that could be just because it is shiny and new. However, no matter which one is your favorite, the consensus is definitely that Toy Story 3 is an excellent movie for the entire family. If you looked around the audience that we saw it with, there were families, people on dates, senior citizens, and teenagers. But if you have kids, Toy Story 3 is a must see.
The whole cast is back and this time the issue is that Andy is leaving for college. And like all of us had to do, Mom is demanding that he cleans out his room before he goes. That includes the toys. They need to go into the attic, donated to the pre-school, or off to college with him. Both Andy and the toys are anxious about the final decision.
After some typical comedic hijinks, the decision is that Woody will go to college but the rest of the toys accidently wind up being donated to the pre-school. The head toy of the pre-school is Lotso and paints a picture of Sunnyside Pre-School as the utopia for toys: they have a repair shop, extra batteries, and tons of kids want to play with you. But the best part is that kids keep coming to the school so you are never left alone without a kid to play with. For our heroes, this is music to their ears because Andy hasn’t played with them in years.
Woody won’t stand for it though, he is not going to leave Andy’s side and he heads back to Andy’s house. Of course, Sunnsyside isn’t all it seems. The toys are put in the toddler’s classroom who don’t play gentle, Lotso doesn’t allow them to roam around the rest of the classrooms, and all of the sudden Sunnyside is a prison and not a vacation spot. The movie centers around a fantastic escape by the toys, led by Woody who comes back from them. And it ends with Andy making hard decisions about his toys that left more than one person in the theatre in tears.
For me though, the charm and fun of these movies is how they creatively bring the toys to life. In the beginning, the green army men go AWOL as they don’t want to go the attic. They parachute out of the window like the green army men you get at Chuck E Cheese that have the wrapped up parachute. The portrayal of Ken (voiced by Michael Keaton) was absolutely fantastic. Whether it was the Ken dream house, his obsession with clothes (there is a scene where he just changes clothes from disco to kung fu, and another scene where he is tortured by Barbie ripping his clothes until he gives up some secrets), or the other toys ribbing him that he is a girls toy, Ken steals a lot of the show. They even throw in a love interest for Rex by way of another dinosaur.
Toy Story 3 was a long wait and worth the wait. My kid is already asking when he can have the DVD.
Labor Day Weekend comes with mixed emotions for many of us. A long weekend is always a blessing, but this weekend usually marks the beginning of the end…of summer. We had one full month of rain this summer and overall temperatures were not the best, but this weekend looks great and we’ve put together some ideas if you don’t have a trip out of town already planned.
Free Preview of Disney’s Video on Demand
Disney is starting an On Demand channel to showcase their catalog of movies. The new channel will provide unlimited access to 12-15 movies a month. These movies could be anything from the Disney catalog including classics, Pixar, and live action like the High School Musical series. Cable providers are providing a free preview of the new channel during Labor Day weekend, September 3 through September 7. I spoke with Charter and Comcast and both are offering this channel free. Find it by starting at channel 1 (video on demand).
Go Apple Picking (or just visit a family farm)
With Labor Day Weekend begins the start of Apple Picking Season in New England. While it is a little early to be picking apples, the farms are open and eager for you to visit. We’ve put together a map showing you close to 90 farms in Massachusetts. Click on a tree icon to get their phone number and some additional information. click here for a full version of this map
We are at the beginning of fair season in New England and this weekend there are plenty to choose from. Most of these are in Western Mass or Connecticut, but are worth a drive if you live near Boston. Most of these fairs can be a good half-day of entertainment, eating, and shopping.
Blandford Fair (9/4 – 9/7) - North Street, Blandford, MA
Agricultural Exhibits, Horse-Oxen-Pony Draws, Horse Show, Entertainment, Truck Pulls (Adults $10; Seniors $6, Servicemen $5; Children (7-12) $5; Under age 6 – FREE) - http://www.theblandfordfair.com
Three County Fair (9/4 – 9/6) - Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
Windham Mountain Wild West Show. Horse racing, demo derbies (Adults: $7, children $4) Carnival: Rockwell Amusements. http://www.3countyfair.com
Woodstock Fair (9/4 – 9/7) - South Woodstock, CT
(Adults: $12, Kids under 10 are Free). http://www.woodstockfair.com
King Richard’s Faire (9/5 – 10/25) – 235 Main Street, Carver, MA
At King Richard’s Faire, the New England Renaissance Festival, enjoy musicians, jugglers, acrobats, contests and games for all ages, and knights on horseback. Devour turkey legs, ears of corn, fresh baked cookies, chocolate, wine, and beer and check out a 16th-century marketplace. (Adults: $26; child age 5-11: $15; If you live in Carver; We haven’t confirmed this, but heard this is FREE on Saturday for Carver residents). http://www.kingrichardsfaire.net
Nantucket Arts Festival (through 9/7)
A week-long celebration of the cultural arts on Nantucket, featuring theatre, music, dance, visual arts and literary events. The Nantucket Arts Festival is annually organized by the Nantucket Arts Council. http://www.NantucketArtsCouncil.org
Hit The Beach
This may be one of the last weekends you have to spend at the beach, so if the weather is nice, here are some of our favorites broken down by area.
Boston Beaches
Boston Harbor Islands - This 17-island state park is part of the 34-island Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. They are a wonderful natural resource, only 45 minutes by ferry from downtown Boston. Spectacle, Lovells, and Bumpkin island all have beaches. Website
Revere Beach - Revere Beach, the oldest public beach in America, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1996. Today, this beach boasts miles of shoreline which welcomes throngs of visitors every summer. Website
Carson Beach - This sandy beach is one of the best swimming beaches in the area, with nearby public amenities and great views of the Harbor. Website
Cape Cod
Coast Guard Beach - This beach is a prime swimming beach during the summer months and was dubbed ‘The Great Beach’ by Henry David Thoreau. Website
Head of the Meadow Beach - An ocean-side beach in Truro known for towering sand dunes. Website
Marconi Beach - Up for a history lesson and some swimming? The Marconi Area obtained its name from the famous Italian inventor, Marconi. From a site here, Marconi successfully completed the first transatlantic wireless communication between the U.S. and England in 1903. Website
North Shore Beaches
Crane Beach - With its clean, inviting water, miles of shoreline, and mesmerizing views, Crane Beach has been a favorite with the ocean-loving public for generations. Website
Good Harbor Beach - A popular beach, but pricey with a parking fee is $20 during the week per car; $25, weekends and holidays. Parking is limited so plan to arrive early. Website
Nahant/Lynn Beach - 4 miles of waterfront and a boardwalk. Website
Salisbury Beach State Reservation - Salisbury Beach is one of the state’s most popular ocean beaches, stretching 3.8 miles along the Atlantic Ocean. This 521-acre park offers swimming, boating, fishing, and camping, and is very popular with trailer campers. Website
South Shore Beaches
Horseneck Beach State Reservation - Located at the western end of Buzzards Bay, the sandy, southwest-facing, 2-mile long beach is breezy all year round, providing excellent wind surfing and a dependable respite from sweltering inland temperatures every summer. Website
Nantasket Beach - The reservation encompasses 26 acres along one and a third miles of oceanfront. Website
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About
"What will I do with my Kids today?" is on the lips of every parent, every day. Once you get past breakfast, the grueling decisions start. You have done the same things a million times. Crazy Kids is the cure. We’ll provide reviews on everything Kids do and let you and other parents comment on them.
The Crazy Kids Blog will highlight a specific activity each week to give you a more in-depth look at one specific idea. We are all in this together and Parents must join in the fight against boredom and repetition. Good luck, have fun and let us know what you think.
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