When I left the house this morning, my son was still in his PJs and our living room had been transformed into a Lego fun factory.

My daughter sat at the island in the kitchen creating the next masterpiece to dress our refrigerator.

On this day, her sun, an amoeba-shaped design with wild rays of light, were replaced with raindrops.

The weather began to turn Sunday afternoon, filling the skies above the Central Valley with clouds whipped like frosting. On Monday, those clouds let through the rain. 

The sound of rain pelting the aluminum overhang and rubber pool cover in the backyard was a nice change-up to the still of a summer morning. But it left the rest of the day in limbo; all outdoor activities were suddenly called into question.

Would a trip to Boomers be worth the cost? Would a bike ride around the neighborhood be worth the wet clothes? The pool was a summer investment, but would it be worth a summer cold?

And in the case of the imaginative 4-year-old building Jeeps and rockets and swords out of tiny blocks on the living room floor, was it even worth getting dressed?

Ah, the pains of rain.

The forecast calls for more of the wet stuff today, which may force the non-working to once again alter their plans.

If you’re looking for a cost-effective audible here are a few ideas courtesy of reader Antoinette Garcia of Manteca, who submitted her rainy day itinerary after reading a post on The Bulletin’s Facebook page:



CHEAP SEATS

Modesto’s Regal Cinema (3969 McHenry Avenue) offers the Summer Movie Express.

For $1, moviegoers can see a designated G- or PG-rated movie every Tuesday and Wednesday through the month of July.

All movies begin at 10 a.m.

Here’s a look at the lineup, beginning with this week’s showings:

• Today/Wednesday: Monte Carlo and Rio

•  July 2-3: Coraline or ParaNorman

• July 9-10: Dr. Suess’ The Lorax or Big Miracle

• July 16-17: Yogi Bear or Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

• July 23-24: Racing Stripes or Happy Feet 2

• July 30-31: African Cats or Chimpanzee

For more information, visit Regal Cinema online at www. regmovies.com/summermovieexpress.



COOL AS ICE

Since you’ve got your rain coat on…

Stockton’s Oak Park Ice Arena (3545 Alvarado Avenue) is offering a $5 public skate session today from 2 to 3:45 p.m.

On Wednesday evenings, from 7:15-9:15, skaters can gain admission and rental skates for $7.50

One of only a handful of public ice skating rinks still left in California, Oak Park has a wide array of features, including: adult hockey clinics and at-your-own-pace practices; skating and figure skating lessons; broomball; introductions to hockey; curling; and synchronized skating.

If all else fails or motivation leaves you like Mother Nature’s light, stay in your PJs and Lego the day away.