December 31, 2003 – With just a few hours to go till the New Year, my 6 month pregnant wife and I have escaped the frigid Northeast temperatures and are in the tiny Metro Twin theatre on 99th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. The cramped seats require anyone over 5’2” and 120 pounds to curl into his/her seat like the last clown to get into the Volkswagen.
My wife — who was definitely showing at that point and peeing more often than a grandparent who has an extra cup of coffee before bed — was clearly above the comfortable height and weight level. She was actually on the edge of her seat throughout the movie. But not because of her size. She could not get enough of the movie – The Two Towers, part two of The Lord of the Rings saga. (She still brings up her herculean fete, “I stayed on the edge of my seat and didn’t pee once!!!”, when someone mentions LOTR) Out of concern for her (and the baby), I repeatedly gently tapped her to push her back into her seat. Nothing doing. While I also loved the movie, my favorite part was seeing how much she enjoyed the movie.
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This past Sunday my family and I went to the movies. A couple of weeks ago we watched Despicable Me. We all enjoyed it and knew right away that the sequel would be in our summer plans.
We found our seats in a half full theatre just before the movie began. Each of the boys took out their snack packs and settled in ready to be laugh.
Oh my G-d, did they laugh! BR, the fidgety type, was glued to his seat. He was so enthralled by the movie that he didn’t complain when I started dipping into his popcorn and drinking some of his soda.
SJ, on the other hand, could not sit still. Every time the Minions (for those who have not seen either of the movies but saw one of the billion commercials, the Minions are the little yellow guys) came on the screen, he was on the edge of his seat. His whole body shook as he cackled. He could not take his eyes off of the Minions.
I enjoyed the movie. It was funny and sweet plus those little yellow Minions guys really are amusing. However, the greatest part of the movie was watching my childrens’ reactions. During chunks of the movie, I found myself watching the boys. After all, what’s better than seeing your children happy?
Sooner than I realize, my children will grow up, and it will take much more to make them happy. When they do grow up, I hope there will be moments when I can see them look as happy as they did watching Despicable Me 2.
Oh yeah, one last thing. I have a hunch what the theme of SJ’s 7th birthday party will be – Minions.
What about you – when is the last time you saw your children very happy?
When they’re grown ups you can make them that happy by taking THEIR children to the movies. And then you will be making the kids and the grandkids happy. Win-win-win!
Not quite the same. Besides, I am not looking to rush the time away.
Mr. T and I went and saw DM2 last week, too! Pretty much on opening day, we went and had dinner (our theatre is a bistro) and watched the movie. I loved it. Mr. T said before the movie started “Mom, I bet you laugh more than any of the kids here in the theatre!” He wasn’t wrong! I loved it! Had a blast. I know he enjoyed it, too! Fortunately, I see my son happy frequently, and hope that continues until the end of time!
You are funny.
It’s cool that T will still go with you at his age especially considering that you are a bit of a character to go with. YOu guys clearly have a wonderful relationship.
Btw, it sounds like a cool movie theatre.
Ok, love the comment about grandpa having too many cups of coffee. I, too, love to watch my children laugh. Even as they have reached into their teen years they are still easily amused by things like the Minions, of which I am grateful. There’s something magical about the laughter of children. I imagine it is a gift from G-d.
I agree with you – the laughter of children really is magical and a gift.
I wish I could say that I am going to run right out and take my kids to that movie but the chances are likely that I won’t. I don’t know what’s wrong with me but I have the hardest time sitting still for movies both at the theater and at home. We have taken the kids to two movies (my husband brought them to 1 or 2 on his own too). I will happily read to the kids for 2 hours straight but put me in a seat with a movie on and it feels like a jail sentence. That’s great when you find something that the whole family enjoys!
A jail sentence – wow! That is clear. Were you like that as a kid? Do you watch tv at all? You seem like a doer so I suppose sitting still is not your thing.
I would love for our whole family to go see a kid movie together, but, my gosh, it’s expensive. My three-year-old was grinning ear to ear yesterday when my husband and I were playing a card game and he let her hold his cards for him. She was the cutest pumpkin ever as she did that. I wish I was able to snap a picture in time.
It definitely adds up. We had some coupon which helped. The first show of the day is also more reasonable.
Nice moment – thanks for sharing.
How funny – we saw the movie last weekend too!!! Jake and I watch movies together all the time and quote lines from them to each other like its our inside secret. I think that’s my favorite part of the movies with him, having that special thing between us.
That’s really cool that you guys have that.
What lines were being quoted after this movie?
Jake makes up words like the minions do for this one. We have a copy of the first one so we know that movie better to quote from. One of my favorite things to do is from the last Ice Age movie. At the end of the movie, they sing this song about being family and one of the characters who plays the grandma says “we are ham and cheese” instead of “family.” So I’ll say, come on ham and cheese, let’s go.
That’s cool ham and cheese. I think the conversation with you guys or even him doing a monologue might make a good vlog. It’s probably really funny.
I don’t have kids – but I like your post very much!
Glad you like it.
It’s just nice to see people excited – especially those you love.
I love watching Elisabeth when her daddy comes home, she goes mental and is so happy to see him that she just jumps around and can’t decide what to talk to him about first 🙂
That’s awesome! I’m sure it must make your husband feel great as well.
He loves it, I often struggle to get them both to sit down for dinner 🙂
That’s a good problem to have.