Joe Time

I adore going to the theater and watching movies.  I love the smell of popcorn, the flicker of the screen, the joy of sharing an experience with random strangers - laughing or crying at the whim of the director.

The first movie I saw was ET.  I remember going to the drive in and watching with amazement as ET and Elliot flew across the moon.  I didn't go to another movie for a few years.  We lived in a rural area in the Ozarks and then moved to a rural area in Washington. 

Needless to say, when I moved to California, I became a regular at the theater.  From Spice World to Titanic to Amelie, I joined friends, family or went alone to be entertained by the big screen.  How sad that I married a man who prefers the comfort of his own home and DVD player!

But, you see, I'm raising a couple of partners in cinematic crime and I'm starting my influence early...

Yesterday, we called Boppa and G to see if they'd like to hang out with a little baby and then took Joseph to see his first movie in the theatre - Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.

The three of us got in the car, which confused Joseph.  "But what about baby sister?"

"She's staying at home today.  We're going to something special with just the three of us."

"Ohhh-kaaaay.  But we have an extra seat if she wants to come."

We drove downtown and walked to the theater.  We paid for our tickets and went into the lobby where Joseph's eyes widened at the sight of the candy displays.  We bought a snack pack (a little box with popcorn, candy and a drink) and a popcorn and water for Chad and I, then went into a theater that was already darkening.

Joseph sat on the edge of his seat, slowly eating popcorn, eyes glued to the screen as giant hot dogs and monsterous meatballs crashed into the small town of Chew and Swallow.  Chad and I looked at each other in the dim light and grinned.  It was one of those moments, as a parent, where it was truly more exciting  to experience it through the eyes of your child.

When it was over, Joseph turned to us and said, "That was the best movie ever.  I like the big TV."  Then he turned to the screen, "Goodbye!!"  He almost danced out of the theater talking about scenes from the movies and upcoming attractions.

Sometimes it's hard to remember that he's only three.  He acts so much older.  At least four.  But Sunday evening as he walked down the sidewalk holding our hands and jumping over cracks, talking a mile a minute, I realized that this was one of those magical, fabulous moments that every parent treasures.  And I realized how important it was that we'd taken him out for a little Joseph time.  It's easy to get caught up in the day to day of Baby World.  It's easy to forget that there's a little boy in the house that still craves time alone with his parents.

Must get better at that.

In the meantime, there's a movie heading our way around Christmas that Joseph's already talking about.  And it's right up my alley.  Sci-fi.  Nice.