It's My Turn to Pick a Movie!!

Most people who know us know that we do not have cable. Haven't had it since July 1997 and have no intention of getting it any time soon. When our tv is on, it is usually tuned to either PBS or a movie. (Well, there was the one night when I walked into the room to see Desperate Housewives on the flat screen and J sitting on the couch. Oops.)

So, while it is great to be able to say that we don't watch a lot of tv, the reality is that we do watch a lot of movies. Yeah, the same ones all the time because the kids pick, and kids can somehow watch the same freakin' thing a million times in a row without their ears and eyes bleeding profusely. They are so resilient. I, on the other hand, have developed and polished my ability to tune things out. I just might be able to match inattentiveness with any man out there! (ha!)

What I have noticed, unfortunately, is that E, who used to be able to sit and watch maybe 10 minutes of a movie before needing to move on to more exciting activities, now can become absorbed into the action. The child will put a chair in the middle of the family room, sit down, and watch a movie. As all moms know, this cuts both ways: Hallelujah! My child is being quiet and entertained without me! Oh crap! My child's brain is turning to mush with the electronic babysitter!

It is fun to watch him act out scenes later or to hear him talk about how much he likes the girl in the movie. Oh, we love Carmen in Spy kids! And sparkly pencils make great wands. Petrificus Totalis! Yes, E goes around and tries to petrify all of us in the house.

The one consolation is knowing that as the weather warms up that this won't really be an issue as the kids will be outside playing much more. So, instead, I will be thinking: Hallelujah! My kids are outside getting exercise and having fun! Oh crap! My kids are outside getting dirty, scraping knees, and staining their clothes! A ring around the bathtub every night!

But, at least then maybe I will get to watch a movie.
:)