The Big Screen 'Mom'ory

During the last week of school, I did something I'd never done. I went to a movie by myself (I know, I'm crazy like that).

I ordered a large popcorn and soda and wore my comfy shoes and hoodie. I picked the sappy romantic comedy titled...hmmm...it was...something about Paris...oh, it'll come to me later. Anyway, it was nice. So nice that I didn't budge. I didn't have to go to the bathroom. I didn't uncomfortably move in my seat or cross then uncross my legs a dozen times. I sat perfectly still for two hours. I'd never done that. 

When I left and turned on my phone, I had missed seven calls. My husband, who was surprised that I'd gone alone, asked if I was OK. My motto is usually 'the more the merrier'! He couldn't fathom me wanting to see a movie by myself. I told him I was going to save this feeling throughout the summer (even if I can't remember the name of the movie) when things get hairy around here.

Well, I'm cashing in my 'happy feeling' ticket now. Yesterday, we took the kids to the movies. They each got their own soda and devoured a large bucket of popcorn and a box of candy. After a long weekend with family in from out-of-town, my little one was tired. Her seat remained empty and, instead, she perched herself deep into my lap. Now, I had to go to the bathroom from the pressure on my bladder. After I returned, my oldest had to go. Then we needed more popcorn. Then my sunglasses fell (my good sunglasses) behind the seat and, as I searched the sticky floor with my fingers, couldn't find them until the lights came on. I reached for a sip of my soda and it slipped from my fingers, leaving a river of Diet Coke at our feet, and on my sunglasses, and on my daughter's shoes which fell from her feet when she assumed her position on my lap.

I sat there, shaking my head, but smiling, because this is just how it is. My kids enjoyed the movie. They enjoyed the popcorn. They enjoyed the soda and candy. They didn't even notice that things had gone awry. I can't tell you the specifics about the 'Zookeeper', though, because my mind was drifting to...something about Paris.