Dinner and a Movie

Dinner and a movie... who, what, where, when, how, and why?

It was hard not to laugh aloud when I read the first suggestion for the topic of my next blog post. Dinner and a movie never fails to stir up a long list of questions as Geoff and I try to coordinate schedules, find and engage a babysitter, pick a place to eat, pick a movie, prepare the kids for an evening without us, familiarize the babysitter with the household and routine... 

Which might be why the last movie I remember seeing in the theater was a matinee showing of Curious George, and I hardly think that counts as dinner and a movie. First, there was no dinner. Second, we had all of our children with us. To give you an idea of how long ago that was, I'm pretty sure our five-year-old was a baby, and our three-year-old wasn't even on the horizon.

We have a rocking social life.

Nevertheless, we do manage dinner and a movie every now and then, but it's not what it used to be. Generally, it goes down one of two ways.

1.  Family Movie Night
1. Who? The whole family sacks out in the living room, at least in the beginning. Sometimes we'll have eaten together at the table, sometimes we eat watching the movie. Depending upon the movie, Luke or Geoff might wander off. A couple of times, I've taken Elisabeth to another room, set up my laptop, and treated us both to a little therapy in the form of Anne of Green Gables or Ramona clips. Face it, there's only so much Star Wars a girl can take.
2. What? Dinner is often pizza or Chinese take-out. Easy to eat, easy to clean. The show varies from movies we've always wanted to share with our kids (Star Wars, The Princess Bride) to movies we suffer through for their sakes (Eragon) to movies we're surprised to find ourselves enjoying along with them (Sky High, How to Train Your Dragon, Tangled). Sometimes it's as simple as an episode of a television show they enjoy.
3. Where? Living room.
4. When? Typically a Friday and Saturday, after a long week of late nights and meetings, usually instigated by Dad, who is ready for a quiet night with the family.
5. How? Snuggled between two kids. If I'm lucky, I land between the two big ones who have a dreadful habit of thinking they are too old to snuggle with their mother. (Silly boys...)
6. Why? While not particularly romantic - as evidenced by the above description - Family Movie Nights are pretty nifty. They are a time to sit back and revel in the life Geoff and I have built, to laugh with one another and our children, to cast each other glances of understanding, appreciation, and in the case of certain movies (Eragon comes to mind) sympathetic support of a mutual trial. Geoff and I grow closer to one another and to our children through Family Movie Nights, and while it might not be the same as going to Outback and the latest release, we're investing in one another and in our entire family. We'll have plenty of time to go out alone when the kids are older. Before we know it, we'll be sitting in our living room, staring at our empty couches, wishing for one more Family Movie Night, and considering Eragon a miniscule price to pay for the joy of time with our children. Because it isn't about the what, where, when, or how... It's about the who, and from the moment they were conceived until forever, these four people who carry our genes are a big part of our who.
2. Date Night In
1. Who? Just me and the hubs.
2. What? Either episodes of a show we enjoy or have missed (Burn Notice, Downton Abby, Parenthood, Ballykissangel) or a Netflix disc we decided should vacate its two month home atop our television. Right now, I think we have a Pirates of the Caribbean movie hanging out up there. On the food side of things, occasionally we'll buy good ice cream (Blue Belle or Ben & Jerry's). 
3. Where? Again, the living room. 
4. When? Again, Friday or Saturday night. If we're allowed to count Parenthood and Burn Notice, when those are on, it's an hour on a Tuesday or Thursday evening.
5. How? Early, easy dinner. Quick clean up. Rush kids to bed. Wait till they settle in... and then set up our movie. Some people suggest having your own meal after the kids are in bed. To me, that's just more work. We eat with the kids, but might have ice cream or something with the movie. Or not.
6. Why? While our children are a major part of our who, Geoff and I are also our own who, a who that we want to survive beyond the days of raising children. It's important to do things together, even if it is just sacking out on the couch and mindlessly watching a movie - if we're lucky, one without dragons, princesses, cartoons, or farting jokes. Or the Force. Because just as there's only so much Star Wars a girl can take, there are only so many kids' movies a couple can take. 

Thank you, Trey, for suggesting this topic. 

I hope all of you have enjoyed reading... 

May you find your own special brand of Dinner and a Movie, 

whatever the size or dynamics of your family!