Saturday Morning Movies
Not sure how you grew up, but when I was about 5 years old my parents began a special Saturday morning routine I LOVED. At the time both of my parents worked and relished their Saturday mornings as the only morning of the week they could sleep in. Friday evening, before heading to bed, they made special Saturday morning preparations for me.
My Dad would pull the small 14″ black and white television from its shelf in the hall closet, prop it up on a bar stool in front of the living room couch, and adjust the aluminum foil on the bunny ear antennas so it would pick-up my favorite cartoons. My Mom would pour “just the right amount” of milk in a glass Pyrex measuring cup and place it in the refrigerator so I could fix my own cereal (the large milk jug being too cumbersome for me at that age) in the morning.
I cannot express enough how much I LOVED SATURDAY MORNINGS. The only two rules I remember on those early Saturday mornings was – first, I could not come out of my room if it was still dark (my poor, poor parents) and two, I could not to go outside for any reason while they were still asleep. I would often wake up and play Legos, work puzzles, look at (and soon after, read) books in my room until it was allowable to come out – and I never was too hurried since cartoons didn’t typically start until 8:00 anyway.
When I look back I realize I took my first true steps toward independence on those mornings. I made my OWN cereal, ate and looked through magazines or my Highlights at the kitchen table, and cuddled-up with a favorite family blanket on the couch to watch the cartoons of MY choice.
I was in heaven.
As much as this was a special time for me, it was a needed time for my parents – and while they rarely slept past 9:30 or 10:00, I’m sure those extra couple of hours made a difference. By the time they scuffled in to make the coffee, my favorite cartoons were over and I was ready to get dressed and start the day.
I watched Smurfs, Bugs Bunny, Road Runner, The Flintstones, Richie Rich, Mighty Mouse, Captain Caveman, Scooby Doo, Shirt Tales, Tom and Jerry, and The Littles (my favorite because they always taught me how to make something with things I could find around the house) .
It has been about 6 years since Jeff and I decided cable wasn’t a wise choice for our family, but we do still have a television for movies. And so, on any given Saturday morning our kids will rise, eat, and then gather in front of the television to watch whatever Netflix they chose to rent earlier in the week. Many of those mornings Jeff and I are still dozing in bed.
A few of their recent rentals – Inkheart, Nanny McPhee, Doctor Dolittle (the 1967 version), That Darn Cat (another oldie), Bionicle, The Princess Diaries, and The Shaggy Dog.
Watching my kids snuggle-in together on the couch, ottoman or bean bags makes me think perhaps the only thing I truly missed…all those Saturday mornings ago, was a sibling or two. Granted, I had no idea there was anything to be missed and enjoyed (for the most part) my “only-child-ness”, seeing my kiddos together NOW has shown me there is much to be said for sibling relationships.
I’m very happy they can love, learn, and yes, even share Saturday morning movies together.
And on this particular Saturday morning?
I joined them.
Except this time?
I could pour my own milk from the jug.
16 have spoken up.
Amy J in SC
I totally forgot about Captain Caveman.
I love it when my children are getting along. Tonight my children got creative, they cooked s’mores over a candle inside (we had a fire outside but they were too cold) while we had a date and watched a movie in the other room.
Dad
Everything Heather says here is true … Yep, it is and I have no excuse. Mom and I did sleep in on Saturday mornings and Heather didn’t. Simple as that. But Heather was always an independent thinker and well ahead of her play mates with a remarkable desire to have an alone time. She absolutely loved/loves working “in her own self-created” world and oh, the limitless talent she has to create practically anything her mind dreams up. She was a remarkable child and now, an even more magnificent woman and mother and wife and daughter. I couldn’t be a prouder father.
bethany actually
I would have been happy to sleep in along with my mom when I was a kid…but my little brother dragged me out of bed every Saturday at the crack of dawn because he was scared to go into the living room by himself. And then he didn’t even let me pick the cartoons we got to watch, hmmph. ;-)
Can’t wait to see you Thursday!!!
Naomi
i used to do that for boy, i’d measure out enough milk for cereal (also in a container on the counter top) and for a drink, some juice, some bread with peanut butter and a piece of fruit – though is favourite were grapes. it gave us a chance to snooze and he could watch his fav cartoons. we were usually mostly awake but not ready to get out of bed. he loved it.
you mentioned 3 of the movies of my childhood. other good flicks are “the computer wore tennis shoes” and “batman” (with adam west – it’s a hoot!)
another morning routine that boy loved was being able to crawl into bed with bran and i and spent time just chatting to us.
Jen
Thanks to a channel called Teletoon Retro, my daughters watch many of those same cartoons! I love them, as the cartoons these days are NOT things that I want my kids watching.
My kids do the same thing – without the breakfast. They get up, and the older one turns on the cartoons for the younger one and they sit and watch together until one of us gets up to make them breakfast.
Also, I’m jealous that Bethany gets to see you on Thursday – and that you get to see Bethany on Thursday!
MammaLoves
I LOVED Saturday morning cartoons. It’s funny how we can look back and see how our parents carved out time they needed when we were little. At the time, we had no idea.
OMSH
My Dad just made me cry – he does that, sweet man that he is.
bethany actually – I AM SOOOOOOOOO EXCITED! I’m actually a bit giddy.
Naomi – Oh, I’m totally going to look up “The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes” – that was recommended to us by someone else too!
Jen – And some of them you can rent or buy! Cool that those cartoons are available on the tube though because, like you, I don’t want my kids watching what’s on these days (not to mention the commercials)!
MammaLoves – That’s wisdom, eh?
Scott
I remember Saturday morning, pretty much the same way. Dad would leave early for work, mom would still be sleeping, and I would quietly come downstairs and turn the tv on just loud enough to hear it a few feet away. (small house)
The morning would start out with The Justice League, then I remember Hung Kung Phooey and Captain Caveman. Scooby Doo and Scrappy Too. Sigh. Beats the socks off the stuff on the tube now.
The afternoon was often spent building Legos or Capsela. I’d often have to be reminded to go outside, even when it was nice.
(So nice to see you writing again)
Scott
Val
I was allowed to do the same and since I’m old enough to be your parent, the shows were a lot different, although equally enjoyable. Ever heard of Sausage Cinema? It was a cartoon show. Then another show featured “Froggie” who was such a little devil, always getting into mischief. Then “Milky” the clown…our local impression of Bozo. Then a Roy Rogers show to finish off the early morning. I am also an only child and I imagine it was comforting to my parents to know that I would behave during this “alone” time, which I always did. Some nice ….. very OLD…..memories. LOL
Geri C
I LOVED Saturday mornings for the same reason. I watched all of those cartoons, plus a few more and finished up with American Bandstand before I had to go start my chores. My sister and I would use the TV guide to plan out which shows to watch at what time. Good times.
Anita Koller
I loved my Saturday mornings watching cartoons and Land of the Lost. I even watch the short lived Jackson 5 cartoon. I think I’m showing my age here. LOL
Scott
I thought Land of the Lost was cool. I didn’t think they should have remade the movie as a comedy. I’m still working on my time machine …
OMSH
Scott – We didn’t go see the comedy – I just can’t see how it could have rivaled what was in my head. We did rent Land of the Lost for the kids and they laughed at us; um…my memory DID NOT JIVE with what I saw.
Anita Koller – Hey, age is FINE to show…just don’t show your boobs or your bum and we’re good! HA! Modest being the first policy.
Geri C – I forgot about American Bandstand!!!
Val – I don’t recognize those cartoon names, you’re right. But yes, I do think it fortunate our parents could trust us. I can trust my kids, but I do know some parents do not have that luxury. Of course I have words to say about that too, but not in this venue. :)
BOSSY
What a sweet gang. Love love.
scottybowman.us ยป Saturday Morning
[...] stay there any longer. As I was laying there, pretending to still be a sleep, I began to think of a post I read earlier over in OMSH-land: Saturday [...]
PlusToo
You have just brought back so many memories for me. Funny how during the school week, we couldn’t get our butts out of bed but on Saturday!?! We were up at 6 to watch the cartoons. It just isn’t the same today since cartoons are on pretty much 24/7 if you have cable. My kids can’t comprehend that after cartoons were over and on Sundays there wasn’t much TV to watch. You either watched sports or Church or went outside to play.
I was just talking about Captain Caveman the other day. That is what we call our shih-tsu when he becomes too bushy. He collects leaves, sticks, and all kids of other stuff in his fur when it is too long. CAPTAIN CAAVE…MMAAN!!! He needs a hair cut. HAHA!
I LOVE old Disney movies! For the most part my kids like watching them with me. Here are a few more if you can find them. Candleshoe, Pollyanna, No Deposit No Return, Apple Dumpling Gang.
Comment if ya wanna.