Movie Night

It’s really lovely to have neighbors who are up for spontaneous hanging out. We spent most of the afternoon today cleaning the garage and putting up Christmas decorations, as did the neighbors, while our boys all played together. As dinner time rolled around, Alex came in and said “Mommy, Miss Tracy said we can bring our dinner to their house.” We’ve done this a couple of times now — even if we haven’t planned to cook for two families, we will sometimes each just cook our already-planned dinner and then I bring ours to their back yard to all eat together while the kids run around. I stepped outside to chat with Tracy and told her I had enough for us all, if she wanted. Twenty minutes later, we were all in long sleeves and pants and I was carrying a tray of parmesan crusted tilapia and a monster bowl of orzo with spinach and feta. The neighbors supplied some broccoli, the paper plates, napkins, beverages (there was alcohol involved) and candlelight.

Lee, meanwhile, had put up a movie screen and projector to test out if they would work for an outdoor viewing. What had intended to be just a test turned into a full-bore movie night, as we watched Meet the Robinsons. Tracy popped some popcorn, and all four kids snuggled onto the reclining double chaise, complete with down comforter. Nate’s audience participation was a hoot — he ooohed and aahhhed in all the right spots. Alex got a little scared from time to time, but enjoyed it in the end. All in all, not the evening I had planned at all, but a heck of a lot of fun!