Movie Night

We have officially entered the world of "older" kids. You know the world where the kids want to be with friends all the time, and go places like sporting events, movies, and arcades with them. It has been interesting navigating this new stage in our parenting. The hardest part however, hasn't been the older kid who is getting to do all these things, no way that part is easy. The hard part has been the three not-quite-as-big-kids left at home heartbroken on all they are missing out on. Somehow our greatest explanations of age starting with "He didn't get to do that when he was 6" have time and time again fallen on deaf ears.

This Friday night was no different. Ethan got a call from his friend Adam wanting him to go to the Drive-In to see The Avengers.

Right then the tug-of-war of parenting began.

On one hand, how fun would that be for Ethan. UM, SUPER FUN! But the double edged sword quickly came out when I thought of Olivia and Kai. Olivia would be crushed but wouldn't say anything and would pretend like she wasn't. Kai would throw a fit of monumental proportions. He would cry hysterically and make a great argument (that only a mini lawyer could) as to why we should NOT allow Ethan to go. Then as a result of Kai's drama Luke would start crying and hugging Ethan as if he would never see him again.

Brian wasn't home from work yet and I wasn't wanting to deal with all that insanity fun on my own so I told Ethan he could go, but to keep it quite for a little while.

As I predicted all that I thought would happen did, but since I had a little time I had come up with an alternative for my "younger" children.

A Movie Night! Complete with Red Box, Ice Cream, and lots of snuggling.

It was easy to convince Olivia of the awesomeness of my plan, but Kai was a little more work. Well a lot more work.

But for a few short hours (before Kai had to go to bed while Ethan was still gone) all was right with the world, and the 5 of us left enjoyed Happy Feet Two!