Free family movies in the summer rule. But, $1 family movies are even better. It’s not that I’m wanting to spend $4 to see the same movies we could see for free. But, that $1 has kept the large groups of kids in matching tees who don’t have enough adults to chaperone them away. And, as much as I love kids, I confess that I’m glad to not have to do the “come-on-kids-hurry-up-we-gotta-get-a-seat!!!!” routine 30 minutes before the show. Instead, we arrive 10 minutes early, walk leisurely to the correct theater, and this mommy and her children are all very happy. We are so civilized thanks to those $1 tickets.
I’m giving a standing ovation to Ramona and Beezus which we saw this week–the best family movie I’ve seen in a long time. Genuinely entertaining and so many good things to talk about with the kids afterwards. And, I have the movie to thank for keeping my children busy this afternoon making the longest drawing ever. The super long drawing of a science museum being visited by Harry Potter with an aquarium with pixie hollow also secretly looking at the same tank of fish is a masterpiece.
Last night as we did the “come-on-kids-hurry-up-and-eat-we-gotta-get-Drew-to-his-swim-class” routine, Ashlyn asked me out of the blue, “What if our dad lost his job?” They gasped as I told them that he had lost his job 3 years ago but he quickly got another job. They went on to express their regrets that Daddy didn’t take the opportunity to get a “cool” job like a police officer, fireman, or mailman. Is it the uniform that makes them find these jobs cool? And, there I was, feeling like I had to defend my husband to…our children. “Well, guys, he has to work very hard to make enough money for us. You know, having 4 kids costs a lot of money!” At which point, Ashlyn looked straight into my eyes and said, “You had to pay for us too?”
And, I knew exactly what she was talking about. Somehow, my immediate response about how it takes a lot of money to pay for food and electricity and school supplies (anyone else feeling like they need to take out a home equity loan for school supplies?) and clothes, etc. just doesn’t seem enough.
Um…looks like we have some more talking to do about adoption.