Ok, so Monday night, Ang and I get this crazy idea. . . . it is a dreary day. . . we are tired. . . .HEY – let’s take our kids (4.5, 3, and 1.5) to their very first movie (ok, truth be told, I think we tried Narnia a couple of years ago, that did not work out well, and they (Elli and Kya) don’t remember it at all). . . . all of us together to the dollar theater.

We try and set ourselves up for a win. . . .strategy is important for this kind of thing right?

(Financially) – it is family reel night which means any groups over 3 get in for just $.50 a piece + Dakota is free = $2.00 total for the movie 

(Attention) – we choose the 7:00pm showing in hopes that the youngest will be drowsy enough to just sit still and “absorb” the movie. . . . but it’s not too late so the other two kids are not getting too tired (parents. . . .you know what I mean here)     

(Food) – we eat a later than normal dinner, and then I buy the biggest and longest lasting “treat” that money can buy at the concession stand. . . . . . a small bag of Licorice!, which of course. . . you do not give out until there are some signs of restlessness in the ranks:)

(Developmentally) – we chose a movie. . . .ok, got lucky that the movie was out. . . . which had little violence, no big scary/mean/bad guy, and the kids could understand/enjoy

(Socially) – trying not to sit next to a bunch of people . . . so as not to ruin their night if our kids were a little loud, and vice versa!. . . . . but, of course. . . . still getting in seats with prime sound and visual quality. . . because. . . well, . . . there are priorities here

So. . . . how did it go you might ask? . . . . . really pretty well   Dakota tapped out (getting restless)about 45 minutes in, so Ang took him out into the lobby for a bit, and then he was good for the rest of the show. The other two sat on my lap, and were pretty into it. . . you know, . . . asking questions, but not too many.

 Just in case you didn’t know. . . I love my family so much. . . making memories !

Oh, and one more thing. . . . . an unlikely hero . . . who has the key to new life. . . .leaves the only place that he knows of. . . . in order to save the world . . . and in the process he frees a whole bunch of misfits/condemed to die, which actually follow him. . . . oh, and he eventually brings them all back “home” . . . . sound familiar?? . . . . I love the our story. . . THE STORY. . . never gets old

SO in case you have not seen this movie yet – here is the trailor for it: