I need some ideas please

Pamama · #1 11/27/10, 10:32 AM

I am 7 days away from moving to our homestead. Most everything is getting packed up, thrown out or given away. The kids are restless and I am exausted. My brain is fried. Would you guys be so kind as to give me a few ideas on family movies (a brief synopsis would be really great if you have time). Kids range in age from 3-13 if that helps at all. TIA

txquilter · #2 11/27/10, 10:35 AM

Ice Age: The meltdown; Madagascar (these are 2 of my favorites). And of course, I don't care what the 13 year old says: just about any Disney movie will fit the bill!

Pamama · #3 11/27/10, 10:40 AM

LOL my 13 year old is very open about watching movies with the younger kids (and she likes both of those movies lol) If she doesn't like it she just reads a book

copperpennykids · #4 11/27/10, 11:59 AM

The Fighting Sullivans. About a family with 5 boys growing up pre WWI. Their adventures growing up and the true story of what happened when they joined the military for WWI.
This is an awesome movie.

Eight Below. Recent movie about 8 sled dogs left behind in Antartica and their owners' efforts to get back to them and bring them out. Gripping story, heartwarming, clean.

Hatari: Movie about wild game capturers (they catch animals to fill orders for zoos). A little advanced, but the little ones still like the animal aspects, while the big kids catch on to the human dynamics. Great scene at the end with baby elephants. Music at the end is Henry Mancini's "Baby Elephant Walk". You will be humming it for days.

Some romantic type stuff, but no slobbering.

Any of the Pixar's Toy Story movies. Funny, interesting, lots of "little" jokes that the older kids get, but the younger ones still like the overall story.

Good luck with the move - just remember, the light is at the end of the tunnel!

sewsilly · #5 11/27/10, 03:37 PM

Not what you asked for but good advice anyway. ; )

Make sure that you're getting 30 minutes or so for yourself (bubblebath works) and that everyone sits down to eat dinner together and talk about the happy things you expect from the move everyday.

I've not had to move homesteads, but we did have to move a major load of stuff into a vacation home we built, with two kids and I was pregnant, and I had the baby during all of this. The only way to make it better right now is spend some mindful 'down time' each day, centered focus evening meals and early bedtimes.

If there is anyone at all, family or friends, who ask if they can help, let them take the kids for an afternoon, or cook a meal. Seriously. They asked!

dawn

Ravenlost · #6 11/27/10, 03:41 PM

Secondhand Lions is an excellent family movie.

Cheribelle · #7 11/27/10, 03:42 PM

We loved How to Train Your Dragon. DS is 14, sure wished we could have seen it when he was 8 or so and still believed.

Our Little Farm · #8 11/27/10, 04:10 PM

Frontier House is great.

pastelsummer · #9 11/27/10, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by copperpennykids

Hatari: Movie about wild game capturers (they catch animals to fill orders for zoos). A little advanced, but the little ones still like the animal aspects, while the big kids catch on to the human dynamics. Great scene at the end with baby elephants. Music at the end is Henry Mancini's "Baby Elephant Walk". You will be humming it for days.

Some romantic type stuff, but no slobbering.

This is an all time favorite. I love the elephants in this movie!

Quote:

Originally Posted by txquilter

Ice Age: The meltdown; Madagascar (these are 2 of my favorites). And of course, I don't care what the 13 year old says: just about any Disney movie will fit the bill!

DD watches these ALL DAY LONG and she is 3 lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheribelle

We loved How to Train Your Dragon. DS is 14, sure wished we could have seen it when he was 8 or so and still believed.

3 y/o didnt much like this one she got bored and the 1 y/o was entranced.
I much prefer sticking with the oldies but goodies. Old John wayne movies are a hit around here

KarmaKar · #10 11/27/10, 05:44 PM

The Princess Bride never gets old around here. True love, giants, swamp rats of enormous proportion (which I don't remember seeing), evil prince and handsome swashbuckling rescuer. Robin Wright is the princess, Billy Crystal is the sorcerer. "Have fun storming the castle, boys!"

The Neverending Story was also one of their favorites. A boy who loves reading and is tormented by peers becomes part of the book he is reading. The luck dragon is a favorite part.

All the Disney films and the early Harry Potter movies might do, at least for the eldest on Harry Potter.

I could rent the first two and watch them again right now. Sigh.

copperpennykids · #11 11/27/10, 05:54 PM

Yep, we all The Princess Bride.

NickieL · #12 11/27/10, 05:55 PM

Bridge to terabitha--a story about a couple young friends with great imaginations. The little girl does die so it can be a little sad at one point.

The last mimsy
A very cute movie about a couple kids and a toy rabbit.

I know I'm a grown up but even I liked em!

Suzyq2u · #13 11/27/10, 06:57 PM

Head to the library, let the kids pick out a few, can't go wrong with free

MoGrrrl · #14 11/27/10, 10:29 PM

I think almost all the Pixar movies are good for that wide age range. Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Cars, Finding Nemo...

Someone mentioned Madgascar - that's a family favorite.

unregistered65598 · #15 11/27/10, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravenlost

Secondhand Lions is an excellent family movie.

I second this one. Great movie!

BigJ · #16 11/28/10, 03:09 AM

I just moved my family 1500 miles, It's along story but I lost my job and we are starting over in Mn after living in Fl. Wife daughter two dogs. One U haul truck and our pickup truck. Stress is an understatement. add a bad heart and physical limitations. Wife and daughter had never seen our new home or even the town we were moving to, They had to trust the old man. Movies are great but are short term so I dolled out jobs to everyone. XYZ and you are responsible. It worked great wife and daughter were phenominal. Try to turn it into an exciting adventure not a chore, try to travel during the day time so they can see where they are going, get a pair of two way radios they are cheap and well worth the price and let the kids use them, they are great when traveling in tandem, take turns leading no one wants to spend 1500 miles looking at the back end of a uhaul. make a game out of looking for game coyotes deer turkeys car types Etc: Lots of rest stops remember the three P's picnics, pets and pee, stop for historical markers its a learning experience for everyone. most of all bond, talk and get closer.
Good luck and god speed.
BigJ

Pamama · #17 11/28/10, 06:55 AM

Thank you everyone for the ideas and the advice. Many of the videos mentioned are family favorites here to, my mind had just gone completely blank and I could not think of anything. I've never made a long distance move before so this will be quite the adventure for all of us.