Movie Night

October 16, 2010

It's funny the memories that stick out in your head from your childhood. I remember when we were little, we used to have movie nights. My parents would pull the queen size mattress off my bed into the living room, and we'd make a bed out there. Yesterday, Dusty and I were trying to figure out plans for the evening and I suggested a movie night - something a little more low key. We've just been super busy lately and I thought the boys would enjoy a relaxing, but fun night at home. We're always watching movies, but have never had an official "Movie Night". I wanted to make a big deal of it. So you better believe I got the boys all worked up. We went to Target and I let them pick out snacks for the movie. I racked my brain, trying to think of a "new" movie that they haven't seen. Finally, I decided on two - The Fox and the Hound and The Flight of the Navigator. I wasn't sure about the latter, because Silas still isn't all that interested in "real" movies yet, unless it's action packed like Iron Man or Batman - and even then, only certain parts keep his interest. We have every single Pixar Movie, all the Disney movies they'd be interested in (that aren't princess movies), Go Diego Go, Thomas the Train, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Horton Hears a Who, Cat in the Hat (the cartoon), Polar Express, etc. etc. etc. There's a lot of movies out there and they're not all good - I'm amazed at how ridiculous and painful some are to watch. Classic movies like Karate Kid or Old Yeller are still slightly too big for the boys. All that to say, it took me awhile to think of a movie that we'd all enjoy that the boys have not yet seen.

When we got home, the boys helped me make caramel corn and "decorate" the living room with pumpkin lights and candles. I blew up an air mattress and made a big bed for the boys. I made chili, put out all the snacks and we waited for Dusty to get home. Silas decided it'd be fun to hide and yell "surprise" when daddy got home. We turned out all the lights, turned on the pumpkin lights, lit the candles and both boys had a flashlight. Silas and Eli could barely contain their excitement. I stood watch at the window and let them know when daddy was coming. They did their thing and daddy was "surprised" when he opened the door - I forewarned him to make a huge deal out of it, without telling him the surprise. Once daddy was home, we had a "popcorn/candy/movie" party. They both loved The Fox and the Hound. Silas didn't quite understand where the fox's mommy went and asked about her the whole movie. There were lots of laughs and a few moments were they got a bit scared (when the bear tries to attack). Eli loved Copper and Todd and Silas decided he wanted a hound dog puppy. When that movie was over, I turned on The Flight of the Navigator. Eli was really tired at that point and could care less what was on. He was practically a zombie. Silas didn't want to watch it, but I kept telling him the little boy, David, was going to fly the spaceship. He watched. He waited. He questioned. Finally, David got to fly the spaceship. Silas popped up from his bed and was suddenly fixated on the movie. "Mommy! I WANT TO FLY A SPACESHIP LIKE THAT!! This is AWESOME!" His eyes were glued to the tv until the credits began to roll and at that point he wanted to watch it again. I told him it was time for bed and he reluctantly agreed. The first thing he said this morning was, "I want to watch the Flight of the Alligator! Momma, Max is so funny. He kept saying, 'See ya later alligator!'"

The boys and I fell asleep in the living room and Si got upset this morning when I put the bed away. I let him know we'd for sure do Movie Night again. It was definitely a fun, memorable night!