Getting Ready for the big road trip with a little help from AAA

AAA is currently working on our TripTik from Austin-Decatur-Nashville-Charlotte-Richmond-D.C.-Novi-Traverse City-Boyne-Midland-Novi-Nashville-Decatur-Austin! We leave on Thursday :)

Mama Camp: Free Regal Movies:" Journey to the Center of the Earth"

Mama Camp goes to the movies: "Journey to the Center of the Earth".

The Big Camper had the choice of going to see "Kung Fu Panda" or "Inkheart". These were the two choices available on the Regal's FREE Family Film Festival website. Since he chose the rated PG movie, the Little Camper stayed home with Mr. Camper.

10:05: Arrive at the movie theater late and have to sit in the second row. It was packed!

Throughout the movie, the Big Camper kept asking why they called this "Inkheart" when it was about the journey to the center of the earth? Either the website had it wrong or we went to the wrong theater. Since both movies star Brendan Fraser we were a little confused for the first couple of minutes.

Journey to the Center of the Earth (we saw the 2D version) was a fun movie and although there was some cheesy dialogue and silly acting moments (by Brendan Fraser) , it works for young audiences. The Big Camper had seen the previews and couldn't wait for the dinosaur to slobber all over Sean (Josh Hutcherson). As the credits rolled the entire theater started clapping.

Watching movies based on books made the Camp Director wonder why they don't sell the books after the movie?

12:30: Home. Googling the answers to "How were the rocks magnetic" and "What's a magnetic field". This lead to sites with complicated answers and this article "Ancient Moon Had Earthlike Core" by Christine Dell'Amore, "The mystery of the moon's magnetic field may finally be explained by the presence of an Earthlike core, a new study says... " It fit right in with our previous field trip to the LBJ Museum's "To the Moon" exhibit.

There weren't a lot of sites that explained "magnetic fields" but there was an interesting video at National Geographic in the field called the BioBlitz project.

Finished Googling and the Big Camper moved on to his manual typewriter where he typed out "Max left lots things at the centre of the Erth." and "I Havn ' t the jurny to centre of the Erth."

Throughout the day all the Camp Director heard were more questions about the movie "Mama, did Max get out? Mama, that dinosaur fell in the lava...and that's how they got the skeleton to float down the river, right? Mama, why did they put the wrong movie name on the website? Mama, wasn't it cool how Trevor...etc etc. Mama..."

Camp Director, "What do you think is actually at the center of the Earth?"
Big Camper, "Well, creatures that you think are extinct are at the center of the Earth. Like it's different. Dinosaurs are near the hot lava, you know."

Testimonials
Camp Director: "We laughed and jumped at the scary scenes and went along with the adventure. The best part of the movie was how much they showed that this was based on a great book worth reading."
Big Camper: "I want to see it again!"

Activity Fee: $0
Actual Cost: $0 (The Big Camper is teaching the Camp Director that it is possible to sit through a movie without eating popcorn!)

Movie Link: The Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D
Book Link: The Journey to the Center of the Earth
Author Link: Jules Verne

Mama Camp: Roadtrip 2009

Mama Camp gets ready for 'Roadtrip 2009'.

We have planned our itinerary and can't wait to hit the road!

Because the campers were so busy with Father's Day activities, today was a fun filled day called "Camp Clean Up". The two campers did a great job changing the bunk sheets and sweeping the floors.

Activity Fee: $0

Mama Camp: Spike Kid's Club

Mama Camp enjoys an evening Round Rock Express game.

The Spike Kid's Club package is a great deal $15 for 20 tickets (5 games), a play punch card, t-shirt and bag. It's lawn seating so bring a blanket but with two active kids they like to spend most of the time rolling down the hill and playing the games in the Kids Zone.


Photo courtesy of Mr. Camper aka "Daddy"

The Big Camper tried out the climbing wall and the Little Camper enjoyed the playscape. Unfortunately the Camp Director missed the climbing wall photo-op.

Activity Fee: 1/5 of $15 package
Actual Cost: $27, $5 parking fee, $22 food and beer

Mama Camp: 12th Annual Bloodfest 7s Tournment

Mama Camp had the pleasure of attending the Huns Rugby Football club's 12th Annual Bloodfest 7s Tournament today benefiting the Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas. The Huns, their friends and family support the center by promoting donor awareness and coordinating a blood drive the weeks leading to the tournament.

Check out Mr. Camper score a try on the news 00:16-00:18



The campers were comfortable under the large pecan tree and pop-up shade tents (thanks Joe). A nice breeze made it exceptionally pleasant as long as you stayed out of the sun. In between games they tossed the mini rugby ball with Mr. Camper and cooled off with a snow cone.

Activity Fee: $0
Actual Cost: $29: $10 (bottomless beer cup for Mr. Camper) $3 Sausage Wrap, $6 for two snow cones, $10 misc. medical supplies for post-game medical treatment

Camp Director Note: If your kids haven't grown up with rugby and you're a little squeamish, watch the game from the other side of the field.

Mama Camp: Project: Planting Flowers

The campers wanted to create their own flower garden after being inspired by our trip to the Zilker Botanical Garden. The Big Camper has wanted a garden for months. So far...there is a section along the fence, zoned for this purpose, near the water barrel with a picket fence sign stuck in the middle of the dirt. Because the camp dog uses this area to dig holes and cool off in the summer heat, the future garden needs a medium sized barricade to protect the plants from the camp dog. The fence fairy has yet to visit the pile of dirt, magically turning it into a suitable garden space.

Inspiration must be nurtured so a 24" container was selected to act as a temporary flower garden....and mama camp was off to our favorite nursery.

On the way to the Red Barn Garden Center with coupon in hand (buy five 4" annuals and get 5 free), the Little Camper said:

"We're going to smell Rose Garden!"

Camp Director, "No, we are going to smell different flowers." At Red Barn the Little Camper walked up to the first flower he saw and sniffed, "I smell them!"

After sufficient sniffing, the campers selected ten pots in various colors, red, orange, pink, purple, white. We looked at the flowers as a group and talked about color coordination. The Big Camper decided on purple and pink flowers and the Little Camper just went along. After trading in the flowers for the proper colors we turned in our coupon, made our purchase and went home to turn our thumbs green.


All photos taken with iPhone 3G

Next week's project: Paint our garden sign.

Total Cost: $13.46 (plenty of soil left over for more planting)

Note: The Big Camper wanted to skip ahead to watering the plants before they were planted. Next time, we'll make a project of listing/drawing the steps before getting started.

Mama Camp: Free Family Film Festival: The Tale of Desperaux

Cool off this summer at the Regal's FREE Family Film Festival. The films run Tuesday through Thursday at 10am on two theaters (G and PG). View "City of Ember" post.

This week we chose to see "The Tale of Desperaux", the G movie based on the book by Kate Dicamillo, because the Little Camper was joining us today along with Mr. Camper aka "Daddy".

We arrived at 9.50am and skipped the popcorn line. By this time the theater was quickly filling up. We didn't get the best seats but we were able to find two available boosters and 4 seats together. Today there were lot of dads and grandparents with toddlers and young babies in tow. Just before the show started someone came through the theater tossing free T-shirts into the crowd. I did a little "Woo-hoo" to get the campers excited...there's nothing like the word "Free" to get a crowd to raise their arms up in the air...even without knowing what was on the T-shirts everyone tried to catch one.

Since we were evenly numbered two adult and two kids, M. Camper battled the concession stand and we splurged on popcorn...two Regal Reel meals...too bad I forgot the Regal Crown Club card back at camp headquarters!

The Little Camper took one box and shared the popcorn with the Camp Director who took out the coke and the Skittles, keeping her sugar level up and his down. What is it about movie popcorn that is so incredibly yummy...oh that's right...the oil and butter!

The Tale of Desperaux is well narrated by Sigourney Weaver and includes an A-list cast. The story has great lessons, an endearing hero, and scary villains. The timid Mouse world is contrasted with the scary Rat world and the animation is so life like that I worried that the campers would get scared. Although the Toddler gave no indication that he was scared, he let us know what he thought of the movie on the way back to camp.

Testimonials:
Camp Director: "I enjoyed the movie so much that we went to get the book Kate Dicamillo's book illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering".

Mr. Camper: "That was fun".

The Big Camper: (when asked what he liked best about the movie he pointed to the Camp Director) "I liked that you were there!" (aww...later in the day he retold the story of the little mouse).

The Little Camper: "It was scary!!" (yikes!)

Activity Fee: $0
Actual Cost $11.50 (two reel meals) $26.65 (might fine burgers)

Mama Camp visits the Zilker Botanical Gardens

What this Camp Director has learned is that even if your sweet campers say: "Mama, can we just stay home and play with our toys?"...and you see them playing together...gently and quietly...while you drink your coffee...in peace...this in NO way means that you should give in. We tried this last week and an hour later mayhem ensued.

8:00am: Breakfast, chores, clean up, snacks and we are out the door by 10am.

Location: Zilker Botanical Garden 2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin TX

Our Mission: Locate "the map*" and find the dinosaur tracks leading to the Ornithomimus Dinosaur.

Other Mission: Keep the toddler aka "Little Camper" out of the flower beds and the Isamu Taniguchi Japanese Garden ponds.




With lots of coercing the Camp Director convinced the Pre-Ker aka "Big Camper" than we should go through the butterfly garden path, around to the Hartman Prehistoric Garden, across the Rose Garden, and up the Japanese Garden back to the Garden Center. The butterfly garden has wider paths that are easier to traverse and keep track of two short campers. They can run along the paths and still be visible.

First stop was the old settlement buildings to view a rural one room school and the blacksmith's shop. Just as the campers entered the butterfly garden an ensuing aroma caught the Camp Director's attention. The Little Camper had pooped in his pants! (again)

Decision: change him on the Teacher's Corner bench or walk to the Garden Center with roomy restrooms and changing table. We opted for the Garden Center but it turns out we didn't need the changing table since the Little Camper, after viewing the elephant logo, insisted that "No...that's for elephants...not for babies!"










Clean pants, a water break and we were back on track for the trek to find the Dinosaur. Through the butterfly garden we stopped to talk to the butterflies.




Step 1: Find "Hartman Prehistoric Garden"

Step 2: Find Dinosaur Tracks

Step 3: Catch the Dinosaur

Step 4: Document the Event!

As we were leaving the park we noticed ANOTHER dinosaur to investigate...next time.

Activity Fee: $0 (although they do take donations

Testimonials:
Camp Director: "Go early to beat the heat. The butterfly garden is an easy trail and can accommodate strollers. The Japanese garden has narrow paths, a bridge and lots of stairs to climb...fun for older kids but can be harder for the little ones."

The Big Camper/Pre-Ker: "The map with the pictures was easy to follow and I found a short cut!"

The Little Camper/Toddler: "Hi butterflies!...sniff...sniff...roses!...FISH-MAMA-BIG-FISH!"

*Note: the free map in the Garden Center has landmark icons unlike the online map.

Mama Camp at Half Price Books ($3 gift card)

Half Price Books' Feed Your Brain(R) Summer Reading Program brought us back.

Mama Camp's "Big Camper" age 5.75 years is logging 15min reading time per day. After five days he is eligible for a $3 gift card. This can be repeated weekly until July 31, 2009. Download the PDFs of the program info flyer, weekly log and program certificate.

Mama Camp used to be a bigger fan of Half Price books but after unloading over a hundred books, I've learned that their buy back policy isn't worth the effort. You can get more money back if you donate your used books and take the tax deduction.

At the beginning of the year the big camper took his allowance to HPB and found an old beat up Dr. Seuss book, the kind that are mass produced and you can get for less than a $1 if you join a book club. They charged almost $4. I knew we could find the book cheaper, but he insisted, and there went his allowance for the week. It wasn't a rare book and yes, its called HALF Price Books, but they used to be better at pricing books.

Looking for good used book deals? Go to Recycled Reads...their kids books sell for as little as .50 (adult books are more) . Although their hours are limited it is a great place to take the kids to buy their own books, access their free Wi-Fi or make a donation to an organization that supports "Books Beyond Borders". View their blog for deals.

Now if Recycled Read only had hours on M/W/F...

Mama Camp: FREE Family Film Festival: "The City of Ember"

Cool off this summer at the Regal's FREE Family Film Festival. The films run Tuesday through Thursday at 10am on two theaters (G and PG).

We arrived at 9.45am to make sure we got a good seat, and although the concession stand line was six people deep, the "City of Ember" (123 min) theater was not as crowded as I expected. By the start of the movie the theater was 3/4 full. It looked like more people were going to see the "Curious George" movie. Since neither one of us wanted popcorn (shocking, I know) we found a nice seat and waited for the movie to start.

The Pre-Ker (5.5) and I give City of Ember, directed by Gil Kenan, two thumbs up but wish that the CGI shots had been a little better. There are a couple of scary scenes (a giant mole running through the pipe works and attacking people) so this movie may not be appropriate for all 5 year old kids. It did bring up lots of questions...

1. "Mama...why do you think they built the city underground?"
2. "Why did they want the generator to keep working?"
3. "Why was the mole so big?"
4. "Mama...how did they build the city?"
5. "Mama...how did they get all that stuff underground?"
6. "Mama...what happens next?"

Camp Director: "Did you know this movie is based on a book written by Jeanne DuPrau? Let's go home and Google more about the book."

We emailed Jeanne DuPrau to let her know we were on our way to the bookstore to get the first book in the series.

Activity Fee: $0

Have you read the "City of Ember" book? What did you think of it?

Mama Camp: Austin Parks: The Mentos and Soda Experiment

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department:
"The Austin Parks and Recreation Department oversees more than 17,576.06 acres of land containing 206 parks, 12 preserves (sanctuaries for native plants, native animals and unique natural features), and 26 greenbelts (parkland on creeks and canyons). Parks are open for public use each day from 5am - to 10pm unless otherwise posted."

One of Mama Camp's favorite things to do is to pack a picnic and head over to one of the many Austin parks. Today the park was overrun by a school's 5th grade science class. It was the last day of school and they ate lunch and conducted "The Mentos and Soda Experiment" (wikipedia information).

Here it is in action:


The campers made some friends and the teachers let us hang out and watch the experiment. You never know who you are going to meet around Austin.

Also...

Have you seen this amazing video?:

Mama Camp: 107.1 KGSR Blues on the Green

Austin is the "Live Music Capital of the World" and summer means FREE outdoor concerts!

Every other Wednesday, enjoy "Blues on the Green" at Waterloo Park (not Zilker Park due to the Zilker Park Improvement Project).

5:30pm: the campers were fed an early dinner and a picnic was packed for the Camp Director and Camp Daddy. Into the truck went the cooler (filled with crackers, cheese, chicken salad, nuts/raisins and fruit), three camping chairs, one blanket, 3 water bottles, the camp dog and a $20 bill. The camp usually tries to find FREE Family Friendly Activities but the camp director needed to end the evening with an outdoor beer (thus the $20).

6:30pm: MoPac is clear and we are looking forward to seeing Ruthie Foster. We hoped for on street parking, but by 7pm it was too late for that, as parts of the surrounding street were blocked by police as well as a tow truck pulling a charter bus. We took the easy way out and parked in the $5 Parking Lot off of Trinity St.

7:00pm: The dog, two adults, two campers under 6, three chairs and a cooler backpack traversed across on street and down the path to the concert. We marked our spot with the blanket and placed the camp chairs around it to keep people from stepping on our picnic. We were center stage near the Etsy and Amy's Ice Cream booth. The slope of the hill prevented us from seeing Ruthie Foster once people stood up in front of the sound booth. Next time we'll find a spot here (view photo).

7:10pm: Our camp site was set, the dog was tied to a chair, and the campers were snacking, so the Camp Daddy set off to find cold beer.

"Where's the cold beer?"

"No, seriously...where's the cold beer?"

According to the FAQ page the things prohibited at the park are...

"4. What is prohibited? Glass, alcohol, weapons, styrofoam, or glass".

At ACL Festival this is strictly enforced; not so at Blues on the Green. EVERYONE had a cooler full of alcohol -- except Mama Camp.

Midway through the concert the park got pretty crowded and there was someone smoking near us. I thought we had picked a tight spot to camp but people found a way to squeeze more friends on every square inch. I recommend going with a larger group to cordon off your smoke-free space. The ratio of families with kids to those without was about 1 to 7. There were lots of people struggling to maneuver strollers into the crowd and dad's carrying them over their heads. We felt lucky that we had forgotten ours and the campers were able to walk nicely to the park on foot.

9:00pm: The Camp Director is having a great time now that the Amy's Ice Cream has soothed the Pre-Kers chair scare but it's the campers are getting restless and we know it's time to go.

Testimonials
Camp Director: "I had a great time enjoying the cool Austin early summer breeze and the wonderful sounds of Ruthie Foster. Next time we'll bring a bottle of wine."

Camp Daddy: "Glad we got out of the house. It was a little crowded though, and I'm glad we didn't bring a stroller."

The Pre-Ker: "I sat on Dad's camping chair, pushed back and tipped the chair over...the Amy's ice cream helped. :)"

The Toddler: "Fun! Dancing...need more room to run!"

The Dog: "Woof!" Translation: "Got lots of petting from nearby concert goers."

Activity Fee: $0
Amount Spent: $15, ($5 Parking and $9 Amy's Ice cream...$3 each plus $1 tip)

11:15pm: Decided on a Tequila Daisy instead of a cold beer.

Mama Camp -- Austin's Free LBJ Library and Museum

Monday 6/1/09

If I had toast for breakfast, I would say that the day started like a typical burnt toast morning.

The camp director was late and didn't have the agenda ready. The camp kids were out of control and had driven their dad to his office with an "I give up!" until the director said:

"Uh-Oh..." (love and logic style) "You are both draining my energy...We can't leave the house until all the chores are done. That's clearing the table, emptying the dishwasher and vacuuming the floor."

A cup of coffee later, a Google search on free Austin activities and a quick selection led Mama Camp to the LBJ Library and Museum. It has Free Admission and Free Parking and has an exhibit about space. Done. We are there. Well, after the floor gets vacuumed.

The camp kids are dawdling. It's time for lunch.

1:30pm
Two kids, snacks, one light stroller and a full tank of gas. Mopac, 183 and I-35 are running smoothly, exit Manor, right on Manor, right on Red River, and left into the parking lot full of school and charter buses. The entire building is surrounded by construction gates, signs and work men. Is it closed? The small sign "YES, we're open!" convinces us to park.

The toddler has fallen asleep and the Pre-Ker is cooperating and sticks close to the car. We traverse the construction zone and follow the signs to the entrance. So much for admiring the architecture of the building.

Once inside we are met by a wonderful visitor's guide and are instructed to the locations of the restrooms and a description of the exhibits on floors 3, 4 and 10. (There are 10 floors to this building?) We are five minutes into the "To the Moon" exhibit on floor 4 and the Pre-Ker needs to use the restroom. (Ha! good thing we know what floor that's on!)

Back at the "To the Moon" exhibit, we stand through a Hollywood sci-fi movie montage, fly a flight simulator, get a little dizzy at the space walk simulator, and finally see the moon landing display where I explain that "No, that's not a gun...it's a video camera so that Buzz Aldrin can record Neil Armstrong on the Moon."

 
It's 3.30pm and I know from past experiences with low-blood-sugar kids that it's time for a snack break. Because of the construction we have to go out of the building, around the construction, around more construction, and down the ramp onto the green grassy area in front of the large fountain that rhythmically splashes water onto the overflow pool. The fountain is almost as tall as the library and the wind catches the mist to cool the surrounding area down from 90F to about 85F. We sit under a large shady tree and find a dry spot, just right to spread out the blanket (that I forgot back at camp headquarters - oh well). With both boys awake and the snacks devoured, they slip off their shoes and run up the hill, and the Pre-Ker rolls down the hill until he's red in the face.

Because the toddler was napping the first time through, his brother insists that we return to the moon exhibit and show him what he missed. Practicing patience we return and have another go.

 

Testimonials
The Toddler: "No...I don't want to gogo!!"

The Pre-Ker: "My favorite part was rolling down the hill"

Camp Director: "I loved that the museum guard asked me with a smile 'Are they enjoying the museum?' as she watched the campers run two steps, stop, walk four steps, and repeat all the way down the hall. She even stopped to explain how the animatronic LBJ statue worked when the Pre-Ker inquired. She was also impressed that the toddler did not cry (like most she'd seen) when the LBJ statue started talking."

Epilogue: The Pre-Ker fell asleep on the way home...a first. Score!

Mama Camp 2009

School is OUT...Summer is here...what to do with the kids? Follow Mama Camp as we find free or inexpensive activities around Austin!

Stay tuned for "Mama Camp-Road Trip 2009" when we pack up the kids, the cooler, and our iPhone with AT&T 3G Network and travel from Texas to Tennessee to North Carolina to Washington D.C. to Michigan and back! We are looking for free, weird and wacky tourist stops to visit along the way suitable for kids 6 and under.

-Camp Director aka "Mama"