a few special years

Monday morning was rainy and dreary and we stayed inside all day in our jammies and watched movies. I was thrilled that Hook captured their attention because I love the movie myself.

Do you ever watch a movie that you grew up with only to find it’s meaning is completely different now?

Just the other day watching Casper I realized I was now closer in age to Bill Pullman’s character than to Devin Sawa who I used to think was THE cutest. Ha!

When I was young, the movie Hook was about pirates and magic and imagination and adventure.

Monday morning the movie Hook stopped me in my tracks and made me cry with this quote that I honestly never even noticed until this first post-kids viewing:

“We have a few special years with our children, when they’re the ones that want us around. After that you’re going to be running after them for a bit of attention. It’s so fast Peter. It’s a few years, and it’s over. And you are not being careful. And you are missing it.“

All the sudden this movie was about appreciating your children and making sure you take the time to play. As his kids bounced around him, throwing balls in the house and knocking over lamps the grown up Peter was so annoyed. I was thinking….well yeah…those kids are acting nuts!

But they weren’t getting his attention….ever…so they were practically begging for it with their behavior. My kids do that too. I see them act out or act poorly when they are craving attention. Sam has especially needed it since Henry was born.

So Hook inspired me to be a little out of character and head to Boo at the Zoo for a super last minute night of fun!

This isn’t out of character as in we don’t do fun things.

It’s more like as of Monday night I wasn’t for sure we were going. It’s a 2 hour drive, the event starts at 5:30 so we’d be getting home late. It was just me since Travis had work and then a Jaycee meeting. We didn’t have Halloween costumes made yet. And I am a bedtime nazi and very focused on newborn sleep.

But really none of those reasons were a big deal and I thought I could make this special by making it a surprise!

When we put them to bed we told them I was going to pick them up from school/daycare early and go on a surprise trip.

The next morning I gave three clues: animals, costumes, long drive

I spent the day with Henry and loading up my Keenz wagon (life saver), my baby carrier, and some costumes we had on hand. When I picked Sam up I walked into the building and another 4 year old boy immediately asked me “where is Sam going tonight?!”

Yall he was SO excited about this he told everyone and had them all guessing. It made me want to cry (happy cry!) when I imagined him all day excited and talking with his little friends about a fun night his mommy had planned for him.

How many years will I get of that kind of excitement?

It was so much fun to be a little out of character for some Halloween magic with them. And it all went smoothly.

Henry ate and slept at the same times he would have at home. We stopped at Dairy Queen and I indulged with them even though I’m dieting 🙂

We didn’t get home until 10:15pm. On a Tuesday. We’re wild I tell you!

So thanks to Hook for getting me all in my feelings and inspiring me to go make some memories with these three little boys during these few special years.