We took the kids to the movie theater last night, to see the new Toy Story 3 movie. We have been big fans of Woody, Jessie, and Buzz Lightyear, so there was much excitement about this movie.
With the size of our family, and the price of entertainment, going to the movie theater is a very RARE treat. We don't even average once a year. We usually only go for the most exciting movies. I had earned 2 free adult admission passes from donating blood for the past year. Jersey #5 is still free, since he is under the age of 3. So, we only had to purchase 4 child tickets. Splurging on popcorn/soda packs at the concession stand ended up costing a little more than we paid for the tickets!
I am not sure if it was because the quality of the animated movie was that great, or if it was because the kids are all at easier ages, or maybe a combination of things, but this was the absolute best movie theater experience we have ever had. It was a real treat. I only had to get up from my seat one time to take Jersey #2 and Jersey #4 to the restroom. They were so eager to not miss the movie, that they ran to the restroom, conducted business as quickly as possible, and ran back to their seats. The kids sat in their seats and held their snack packs, and enjoyed the entire movie. Even Jersey #5 was enthralled. He only stood up from his seat a couple times, but did not wander off. He just stood and watched the movie, then eventually climbed onto The Referee's lap until the end of the show. We had a blast.
There were a few preparations that took place to help things run smoothly. The younger 3 kids had a restful afternoon, including the boys taking a good nap. We ate dinner before going to the theater, and finishing their dinner was the requirement before popcorn and soda would be allowed. This cut down the complaints about hunger pains or tummy aches. We had the kids all use the restroom as soon as we entered the theater, before they received any concession treats. (We also visited the restroom immediately after the movie, before heading home). This cut down on random, repeat trips to the restroom while the movie was playing. We chose an off-peak time to visit the theater....an evening that is not as busy, a couple weeks after the movie was released....to avoid the crowds. We staggerd our seating so that The Referee and I were next to Jersey #5 and Jersey #4, to help hold their seats down. They do not weigh enough to control the seat from folding up with them inside. Purchasing individual snack packs gave each child an equal amount of snacks, to cut down on the temptation of competition and greed over a shared, limited resource. Plus, we planned, saved, and prepared for the costs, so that The Referee and I were not in shock at the cash register. (Ok, we are still a bit shocked by movie theater prices in general, but we had the expense covered in our budget.)
The movie was fantastic. The suspense and drama captured the younger kids' attention. The sad story line of changing relationships as Andy prepared to go off to college, had Jersey #1 visibly crying. (She is a sensitive child who cries at sad movies, just like her Mama). Buzz Lightyear in Spanish mode had Jersey #2 laughing continuously. The children could not wait to come home and reenact parts of the movie with their own Woody, Jessie, and Buzz toys.
What a wonderful family movie night.
With the size of our family, and the price of entertainment, going to the movie theater is a very RARE treat. We don't even average once a year. We usually only go for the most exciting movies. I had earned 2 free adult admission passes from donating blood for the past year. Jersey #5 is still free, since he is under the age of 3. So, we only had to purchase 4 child tickets. Splurging on popcorn/soda packs at the concession stand ended up costing a little more than we paid for the tickets!
I am not sure if it was because the quality of the animated movie was that great, or if it was because the kids are all at easier ages, or maybe a combination of things, but this was the absolute best movie theater experience we have ever had. It was a real treat. I only had to get up from my seat one time to take Jersey #2 and Jersey #4 to the restroom. They were so eager to not miss the movie, that they ran to the restroom, conducted business as quickly as possible, and ran back to their seats. The kids sat in their seats and held their snack packs, and enjoyed the entire movie. Even Jersey #5 was enthralled. He only stood up from his seat a couple times, but did not wander off. He just stood and watched the movie, then eventually climbed onto The Referee's lap until the end of the show. We had a blast.
There were a few preparations that took place to help things run smoothly. The younger 3 kids had a restful afternoon, including the boys taking a good nap. We ate dinner before going to the theater, and finishing their dinner was the requirement before popcorn and soda would be allowed. This cut down the complaints about hunger pains or tummy aches. We had the kids all use the restroom as soon as we entered the theater, before they received any concession treats. (We also visited the restroom immediately after the movie, before heading home). This cut down on random, repeat trips to the restroom while the movie was playing. We chose an off-peak time to visit the theater....an evening that is not as busy, a couple weeks after the movie was released....to avoid the crowds. We staggerd our seating so that The Referee and I were next to Jersey #5 and Jersey #4, to help hold their seats down. They do not weigh enough to control the seat from folding up with them inside. Purchasing individual snack packs gave each child an equal amount of snacks, to cut down on the temptation of competition and greed over a shared, limited resource. Plus, we planned, saved, and prepared for the costs, so that The Referee and I were not in shock at the cash register. (Ok, we are still a bit shocked by movie theater prices in general, but we had the expense covered in our budget.)
The movie was fantastic. The suspense and drama captured the younger kids' attention. The sad story line of changing relationships as Andy prepared to go off to college, had Jersey #1 visibly crying. (She is a sensitive child who cries at sad movies, just like her Mama). Buzz Lightyear in Spanish mode had Jersey #2 laughing continuously. The children could not wait to come home and reenact parts of the movie with their own Woody, Jessie, and Buzz toys.
What a wonderful family movie night.
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