The First Movie

While we were in Maine, we decided to take Taylor and Riley to see a movie. Taylor already had her first experience when she saw "The Bee Movie" with a very good friend of mine, Chris. Chris had lived in the same building with us when we lived in Alexandria, VA, so she and Taylor go way back...well about as way back as you can go with a 5 year old.

After searching through the newspaper at the different movies being shown, we decided on The Tale of Despereaux. It wasn't too hard to figure out what movie to see since it was either that or some horror flick. We got the girls ready and explained the rules, such as no talking and staying in your seat. Hayden stayed home with Grandma Bobbie since he would probably babble and drool during the show.

As we were driving to Rockland, I turned to look at Riley and realized we didn't have her pacifier with us. Now, if you know my children, you know our pacifier issues. Taylor was addicted to that horrible thing until she was 3 1/2. I finally got her off the "paci" (as we call it) when Riley arrived. However, I would find her stealing her little sister's pacifier and then running off to hide under the table or in the closet to chew on it. Taylor finally cut the paci loose, but now Riley and Hayden are under the paci spell.

When we arrived at the theater, with barely 3 minutes to spare, I went to the snack counter while Greg got the tickets. I ended up getting two kiddie packs, which meant a small popcorn, a fruit snack and a juice packed in a little lap tray. We walked into the theater which was packed with lots of other moms and dads and a few grandmas and grandpas and tons of little kids. We found an empty row and scooted in to sit down. The seats were the typical movie seats that flip up and down but only stay down when you put your weight on them. I sat down next to the wall (it was a small theater) and then pulled Riley's seat down so she could sit. She climbed up in her seat and as she got comfortable, I handed her the kiddie snack pack and let her seat go. Next thing I know, her legs were up to chest, popcorn went flying and she's yelling for help. Poor thing, she didn't have enough weight to hold the seat down so it kept flapping back up on her. So I ended up having to hold it down while she ate her popcorn and drank her juice, which seemed to take forever.

The previews started and the theater got dark. I reminded Riley about the no talking rule, but somehow that went in one ear and out the other as I would get "Juice please!" and "More popcorn please!" that seemed to echo in the theater. Luckily, I wasn't the only parent whose child seemed to not understand the no talking rule.

I have not mentioned Taylor yet, but she was doing fine sitting inbetween Riley and her Dad. She just sat and ate from her kiddie snack pack and stayed quiet. Amazing, huh?? About 15 minutes into the movie, Riley hands me her snack pack and says (quiet loudly), "I'm done! Paci please!" Uh-oh!!! What do I do?? So I look at her and tell her quietly, "I don't have it, let's watch the movie." Hmmm...that wasn't a good thing to say. "Mommy! I want purple paci! Purple paci! PURPLE PACI!!!!!" This is followed with some screaming. So after what seemed like forever, Greg took her outside to talk with her. They came back 10 minutes later and she comes to sit in my lap. Everything seemed great....for about 1 minute, until she whispers in my ear "Purple paci, please." So after another screaming bout, Greg took her to the lobby where they stayed for the duration of the movie.

When the show was over, Taylor and I gathered up our coats and belongings and ventured out to look for Riley and Dad. It turns out that Riley had been playing all the arcade games and even won a Cruella de Vil doll from the crane machine. I felt horrible for Greg having to stay in the lobby for over an hour with Riley, but from what he said, he actually enjoyed it. Or else he was lying.

As for the movie, Taylor and I enjoyed it, but I think Riley definitely enjoyed the lobby arcade much more. I have decided that Riley just isn't quiet ready for the theater yet. Maybe in a couple of years. However, if Diego or Dora ever make a full feature film, I'm sure Riley, and even Hayden, will be there for the opening!