I overindulged and I paid for it. The kids really wanted to see Harry Potter and frankly, I did too. I decided to take them to a matinee showing which is slightly less expensive than selling my left kidney. Of course, you aren’t supposed to bring in outside food and drinks so smuggling was out of the question.
Okay, it wasn’t out of the question but what kind of mother am I to teach my children that rules only apply if they save us money? And so I quickly gathered an arsenal of Capri Suns, bottled water, a Diet Coke (me), various crackers, and M&Ms in individual baggies and stuffed them into my purse.
I herded my herd from the house to the van, from the van to the theater and into seats. My 9 year old son (brilliant boy) had the great idea to go the bathroom before the movie started. The boys and I went. When we came out we passed the concession stand. Actually, they passed the concession stand. I was lured by the smell of buttery popcorn and justified getting the bucket of popcorn that you have to jump into and eat yourself out. $6.50 BUT it has a free refill.
I returned to my seat and started passing out napkins to the children with a handful of popcorn. I was then informed by my 11 year old daughter that I had just spilled the popcorn. Over half lay at our feet, beckoning us to crunch with our feet throughout the movie. I quickly tried to sweep it beneath our seats. Just then, a mother with 5 or 6 teenagers came to sit by us. She looked at me disapprovingly. I met her eye and looked at the empty seats behind her. She quickly disengaged.
I soon found that the seats are not conducive for a 4 year old boy to sit on. Not only are they too low, they are also tempting to fold yourself within. He also discovered he could swing between his seat and the seat in front of him, causing the woman in THAT seat to recline and look quite surprised. I was grateful for her patience. I left to find a booster which were all being used due to a showing of “Charlotte’s Web.” An hour later, I went out again and found one and refilled the popcorn (for the second time). By this time I was on the end of the row, struggling to keep up with the story while keeping an eye on a four year old who found the chairs, armrests, and handrails on the stairs irresistible for climbing/swinging. He kept asking when it would be time to go home.
Two hours and 38 minutes (plus previews) later, the movie ended. I didn’t enjoy it. I missed too much of it. My three older kids liked it. My four year old is exhausted and screaming right now while I’m ignoring him.
I want my money back.
Okay, it wasn’t out of the question but what kind of mother am I to teach my children that rules only apply if they save us money? And so I quickly gathered an arsenal of Capri Suns, bottled water, a Diet Coke (me), various crackers, and M&Ms in individual baggies and stuffed them into my purse.
I herded my herd from the house to the van, from the van to the theater and into seats. My 9 year old son (brilliant boy) had the great idea to go the bathroom before the movie started. The boys and I went. When we came out we passed the concession stand. Actually, they passed the concession stand. I was lured by the smell of buttery popcorn and justified getting the bucket of popcorn that you have to jump into and eat yourself out. $6.50 BUT it has a free refill.
I returned to my seat and started passing out napkins to the children with a handful of popcorn. I was then informed by my 11 year old daughter that I had just spilled the popcorn. Over half lay at our feet, beckoning us to crunch with our feet throughout the movie. I quickly tried to sweep it beneath our seats. Just then, a mother with 5 or 6 teenagers came to sit by us. She looked at me disapprovingly. I met her eye and looked at the empty seats behind her. She quickly disengaged.
I soon found that the seats are not conducive for a 4 year old boy to sit on. Not only are they too low, they are also tempting to fold yourself within. He also discovered he could swing between his seat and the seat in front of him, causing the woman in THAT seat to recline and look quite surprised. I was grateful for her patience. I left to find a booster which were all being used due to a showing of “Charlotte’s Web.” An hour later, I went out again and found one and refilled the popcorn (for the second time). By this time I was on the end of the row, struggling to keep up with the story while keeping an eye on a four year old who found the chairs, armrests, and handrails on the stairs irresistible for climbing/swinging. He kept asking when it would be time to go home.
Two hours and 38 minutes (plus previews) later, the movie ended. I didn’t enjoy it. I missed too much of it. My three older kids liked it. My four year old is exhausted and screaming right now while I’m ignoring him.
I want my money back.
So funny. You are very brave... and what delightful trip to Hogwarts.
ReplyDeleteIn many ways it sounds like a certain two hour flight that I am dreading.
(I read that Meanest Mom travel post back when she put it up and it inspired me to remember to dread the weekend's trip! Hilarious.)
We got a babysitter and took our oldest the other night. My parents had bought the tickets ahead of time and got there before us. So when we walked in I explained to the ticket taker that my parents were already in the theater with the tickets and they let us walk back.
ReplyDeleteWell of course discussing the movie the next day we found out they hadn't bought our tickets, they weren't sure we would make it!
Opps!
I took the kids to the 1$ movie this morning. I ALWAYS pack their snacks....
Our theater used to let you have $1 refills on your bucket of popcorn, I would save the bucket and bring it back every time. They stopped doing it though, probably because of me.
Yup, movies are NOT always fun. And I ALWAYS sneak in drinks, candy AND popcorn to our movies. My 7 year old finally figured out that we weren't supposed to so I taught him to lie. Nice, huh?
ReplyDeleteIt's really hard bring younger kids to the cinema. We always sneak in small drink cartons and sweets but can't resist buying the freshly made warm popcorn. Isn't it funny how all around the world we do similar things!Is there anywhere that Mums DO follow the no snacks rule..?!
ReplyDelete