Let's all go to the drive in

When I was a kid, my dad often took us to the drive-in. He drove a "chester" van... you know the ones with no windows, with a seat in the back that could convert into a bed. My dad would pack up the van with all sorts of snacks, blankets, and pillows. We'd head out at dusk to get in line and get a good spot in front of the supersize screen. My dad would always let us go get an ice-cream or special treat from the concession stand. My brother and I thought we were so cool.

As an adult now, I realize why my father (a single dad) loved the drive-in. It was CHEAP. Kids are free, the snacks didn't have the 500 percent mark-up you get in the movie theater, and it was much more comfortable for all of us. My dad also says that my brother and I never made it to the second movie (all drive-in's are double features). As soon as we both were fast asleep, my dad would just close the back doors to the van and drive on home.

When one of the latest kid movies was playing at the drive-in, my dad took my son. I had forgotten about the drive-in on Capitol Road in San Jose. It's home to the flea market during the day. I'm sure it's probably the same place that we went when I was a kid. My son and father packed up the car with popcorn, a flashlight (to be able to walk to the bathrooms and concession stand), drinks, and candies. The two of them had such a great time that my son was talking about it for weeks after.

After hearing about how much better the drive-in was to the traditional movie theater, I caved and went with my son and dad to see "Alice in Wonderland." The boys were right. The drive-in was great. First of all, it was cheap (less than $7 per adult for a double-feature) and the kids are free. It was nice packing my own snack, most of them we already had at home so it wasn't costing me even more money. Plus not have to smuggle them into the theater (of course, I smuggle in my own snacks! I'm not paying $4 for a pack of red vines) was a nice change too.

But the biggest thing for me was the comfort. Sitting in your car is way more comfy than sitting in a stiff theater seat. It's OK for you to talk. You don't have to hear the kid who's really a scaredy-cat and constantly screams during the movie. No one is getting up and down in front of you. You can text without your screen lighting up the theater or take that call from your husband who's currently on a business trip to Thailand. You control the volume (your car radio). When your kid does eventually fall asleep in the opening credits of the second movie, you can easily buckle them back into their car seat and head on home for the night (or in our case, over to the other screen with the adult, rated R movie).

The drive-in is now our favorite way to go to the movies. I love that I'm creating a tradition out of an experience that I had as a child. Going to the drive-in was so fun for me as a child and remarkably it is just as fun (if it more) as a parent too. Let's all go the drive-in indeed!

This is an original post from the Silicon Valley Moms Blog, www.svmoms.com. When Robyn isn't planning their next trip to the Capital Drive-In, she's writing about her life as a working mom at Who's the Boss? (c) 2010, Robyn Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.