Fun with Will and Tom... Another Law family movie day at our local cinema

The Laws caught the shorts to a new family film while we were at our local the Cameo Cinema to watch Jumanji. The animated spy film staring the voices of Fresh Prince Will Smith and Spider Man himself (at least until the next reboot) Tom Holland had encapsulated all of our interest. Therefore it was only natural that the Laws returned to the movies to see Spies in Disguise.

Firstly I can say that thankfully the shorts for this movie we had seen did not even cover the number of scenes that caught my interest or caused me and others to laugh out loud. It follows the spy movie formula and has the regular cast of characters you expect to see covered but it has Will Smith hamming up his cool factor and it has Tom Holland super geek going all out to keep on par with the Fresh Prince and in my opinion nailing it.

A great family film and one that all five of us thoroughly enjoyed and all for our own reasons. Yes, it is safe to say this film has something for everyone. Be you 5 or 55 or even 105 I am sure you will find reason to laugh, to gasp and to make the cutesy awwwwwww face. Watch Spies in Disguise because it is almost two hours of just plain fun.

Spies in Disguise - 4 super spies out of 5...

So proud today

So proud to be a part of the Law/Gallasch family, proud to be a husband and dad and extremely proud to be a Murray Bridgian. Today was a day off for our family, no work, no school. Instead of lazing away this Sunday keeping cool my amazing wife used her magical FaceBook powers to gather together much needed townships affected by the recent South Australian bushfires. Finally I am proud of my father in law and mother in law who will be dropping off the remaining goods so they can go to those families doing it toughest.

I am super proud of my amazing wife, her efforts enabled us to take a full people mover to where it was needed most. Our first stop saw soft drinks, water and cordial passed on to families doing it tough and to the volunteers who are trying their hardest to help. I am super proud of my two daughters, Miss 12 and Miss 9 who stared out the window as we passed by black paddocks and houses that had collapsed due to the chaotic horrors of fire only days before. I am extremely proud of the people of the town I live in and the close by towns who have raided their pantry or transferred money so we could do a quick shop today for all of those necessities you don't know you need until fire steals them from you.

I didn't fight the fires. I didn't rally together the efforts. I was able to drive that overloaded KIA to where it was needed and help load and unload all those donated items. I tell you what, the drive home was far lighter and easier than the one this morning.

Thank you Law/Gallasch team! Thank you Country Fire Service and Metropolitan Fire Service firefighters and staff! Thank you to all those amazing people who have donated to help. A specially thank you to my beautiful and amazing wife and daughters for keeping my faith in humanity strong. You have huge hearts and I love you so much.

The Laws go to the movies - Does Jumanji take it to the next level and how adorable is Abominable

Today was super hot in South Australia so where better to take the family but the local cinema. Our local, the Cameo was showing Jumanji The Next Level, sequel to Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle. So in what is supposedly Jack Black's final fling on the big screen did Jumanji take it beyond level one..?

Honestly I found the film to be really good. It was entertaining throughout with only a few words that caused Miss 9 to question their appropriateness. The characters were similar from the first (Welcome to the Jungle) but with enough of a change to continue the entertainment. If you liked the original remake then you'll enjoy this one as well. Are these films better than the original Jumanji..? Perhaps not better in my opinion but different enough that I have not spent the whole time focusing on what was done better in the original and where the remakes shone out. All I can say is watch all three and enjoy all three for the fun films they are.

While the day went on and only seemed to get hotter my brilliant Queen Miss H came up with the wondrous idea of pizza and a DVD in air conditioned comfort. Mummy of the year last holidays took the girls to the big screen to see Abominable, a Dreamworks animation about the yeti. Master 13 and I missed out, but at the time I was not too worried. Upon hearing all the fun and adventure in the movie from our girls I was suddenly keen to watch and disappointed I'd missed out. Thankfully the whole family was happy to see what Abominable had in store for us and I was glad to see it had heart, laughs and loads of family focused fun.

Jumanji The Next Level - Four irreparable consoles out of a possible five

Abominable - Four and a half dandelions out of five

Memories of Mum

Christmas Day is always one of mixed emotions for me. With three kids growing up so quickly we are hanging on to the magic of the silly season. The innocence of kids and their pure and creative imagination in my opinion generates the magic of Christmas. It helps that we have younger nieces and a very young nephew to make sure that the magic stays alive for many years to come. Sadly my family lost some one special on Christmas day ten years ago which of course has made it difficult to completely.

The day after Christmas I headed to the local cemetery today with my daughter by my side. It blows my mind to think my daughter was born three months after mum passed away. I loved this afternoon chatting with Boo about all the wonderful memories I have of my mum... Keeping the magic and the memory alive...

A challenging time as fires burn

Australia is under attack and it is Mother Nature who is on the front line offensive... The fires in New South Wales have been in our thoughts and prayers but it was the scrub blaze that has sprung up in the Adelaide Hills in South Australia that has affected many loved ones. Family have needed to evacuate as things have gotten very much too close for comfort. Even now the fires in that area just won't go out, erratic winds are causing havoc and it is an utter nightmare for the brave souls that are there fighting.

My fingers, toes and everything else are very firmly crossed that things will settle down and that everyone can have a safe Christmas and New Year but there are already many who are mourning the loss of family, a business gone, not having a home or worried sick not knowing... The not knowing is the worst torture...

Sadly there is little to no cool and calm weather in sight. As we all prepare for the chaos of the silly season let us all spare a thought for those suffering while the fires still burn.

The race that brings Australia to a standstill is ours again

Melbourne Cup... The race that supposedly stops an entire nation... I recall fondly a time when even the local radio station ran a fake version of this race, teachers held sweeps in the classroom and every kid had a favourite. It was back when Adelaide had the Grand Prix... That seemed to be the heyday when the Melbourne Cup truly was the race of all races, at least for us Aussies. Lately though it seemed to lose its sparkle for many. We still embrace it each and every year and rope in however many friends we can to join in the festivities. It is pretty much the only time every year when I gamble (or at least it is the only time every year since meeting my wife that I always have a flutter on the horses). I must admit though I've noticed the national interest in this race has died away a bit.

Today may just have been what our (well actually Melbourne's) race has needed. A champion Australian representative has taken out the race of Aussie races with a touch of controversy for second and third. A ripper close race that went right down to the line.

Sadly I didn't back the winner this year. It was my spare for if any of my initial picks scratched. I know for many though that little Aussie champ was their numero uno and they've ridden it all the way to the bank. My lesson from the day of course was always listen to your wife as her words of wisdom stated I'd regret not putting even just a dollar or two on that one...

We love a flutter and hopefully a win today with so many foreign competitors seeking the millions and glory of a Melbourne Cup victory will be enough to re-ignite the passion in all of us. I hope to see over the next year or two that national excitement for November I recall so fondly. Fingers crossed we get known for the super close finish with a local steed succeeding again and again...

Come on Aussie, come on!!

Secretly I'm a fan of discovering what pets get up to when we are away

Family movie night again at Casa de Law and honestly I was not too sure of the flick of the night. Secret Life of Pets 2, the aptly named sequel to Secret Life of Pets has finished its holiday run and is now on DVD. We missed it at the cinema so thought we would give it a go in the comfort of our own cinema (aka the lounge). My wife was not super keen on the first film about the dog Max and all his pals so it was with a severe case of trepidation that we settled into our designated seats and prepared ourselves for Max and Co. part two. Five waiting for the (hopefully) fun to begin. Yes five! Even Master 13 decided to join us for family movie night.

And the verdict... Surprisingly good... In our opinion so much better than the first one, great, wholesome family fun. At least three and a half paw prints, maybe four... If you have not seen it yet give it a go and I'm sure you'll enjoy!