Family Movie Time

Ethan took the afternoon off from work today, and took advantage of an opportunity to multi-task while riding his exercise bike and inviting the rest of us to Family Movie Time in our bedroom.

The girls chose the old-school, Boris Karloff-narrated version of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" as our family movie, and they settled happily on our bedroom floor with Christmas cookies.

Julia had chosen this movie, in particular, because Madeleine had watched it several times this holiday season, and always at a time during which Julia was doing something.  Julia was long overdue to get a chance to finally watch it, so, logically, she decided to bring all her Shopkins into the bedroom to distract her during the movie.

ETHAN: So Julia.  You were complaining that everytime Madeleine watched this, you missed it because you were doing something.  So you're gonna play with your Shopkins while it's on so that you are once again doing something during the movie?

Madeleine then decided she needed some toys of her own.

MADELEINE: Wait!  My Stuffies won't want to miss THIS!  (running off to her room and returning with Saoirse the Seal and Puff-Puff the dog.)

You need a lot of reinforcements for a 30-minute movie, apparently.

The movie began, and the kids piped up here and there with comments.

WHOS: (singing) Dabu doris, dabu dorus, welcome, welcome Christmas day.  Welcome Christmas, dabu dabu...
JULIA: I wonder what "dabu dabu" means?
MADELEINE: It's "dabu DORIS," Julia.

Because arguing over the made-up words in the Who song is worth it, right? 

BORIS KARLOFF: And the noise, oh the noise, oh the noise, noise, noise NOISE.
MADELEINE: We GET it.

BORIS KARLOFF: And they'd feast, and they'd feast, and they'd feast, feast, feast FEAST.
MADELEINE: We GET it.

BORIS KARLOFF: And they'd sing, and they'd sing, and they'd sing, sing, sing, SING.
ME: (imitating Madeleine's voice) We GET it.
MADELEINE: Yeah, you're right, we DO!

BORIS KARLOFF: The Grinch found the strength of ten grinches, plus two.
JULIA: So...twelve Grinches?


Near the end of the movie, Julia stubbed her toe and whimpered about it.  When the movie was over, I suggested we watch another short Christmas special.

ME: Do you girls wanna watch "Mickey: A Christmas Carol?"
JULIA: Well, my TOE still really hurts.
MADELEINE: And I *never* got to practice my Christmas song on the piano!
ME: (to Madeleine) What happened? 
JULIA: Well, I *stubbed* it on the bed.
ME: No, I know that, I was talking to Madeleine.

We then began a several minutes' agonized deliberation over whether to watch another movie.  Madeleine went off to play her song on the piano and jump-rope in the hallway right outside the bedroom door for awhile, but ultimately their addiction to screen time won over and we are now enjoying round 2 of Family Movie time.  And honestly, I can't think of any way I'd rather spend the day than lounging around doing Christmassy things with my favorite people!

Merry Christmas Eve!