Star Wars, ICE! & Christmas Eve

Star Wars was great! Thomas and Jack got there very early, as in almost 3 hours before start time. The wait time paid off, Thomas got our favorite theater seats (center of back row). I met up with them a couple of hours later (after the babysitter arrived to watch the other 3). Thomas had bought Jack a hotdog for dinner and they were sharing a large tub of popcorn. Jack also had a big lemonade. We refilled the popcorn right before the movie started. After all the food and drink, Jack went to the bathroom 3 times during the movie! Then, he got sick that night. I hope he will always treasure the memory of going to the theater with his dad to see Star Wars on opening night. And, I will be there to remind him about that time he went to the movies and ate and drank so much that he made himself sick :)

blurry selfie shortly before the movie started

The movie was really good. It might actually be my favorite of all the Star Wars. Of course, I am a casual fan, so I am not sure that my opinion really matters. In fact, Jack often tries to ask me questions or discuss obscure (to me) things that he has read or watched. I NEVER know what he is talking about. One funny thing he said recently was that he didn't like that Disney had bought the franchise from LucasFilms because now none of the books are "real". I guess Disney has said that everything released in the expanded universe (books, cartoons, comics, etc) prior to their purchase can't be taken as Star Wars fact. Such a shame to see it all turned to fiction ;-)

My sole disappointment with the movie was that the crowd was not more enthusiastic. Obviously, you have to be a big fan to see a movie like Star Wars on opening night, or, at least be with a big fan. I expected cheering when major stars appeared or some sort of audience reaction, but it was just like seeing any other movie, except more crowded. But, we all enjoyed it and are excited to see it shatter so many box office records. We hope the big bucks mean Disney will invest even more in Star Wars (attractions at the theme parks, more Star Wars on the cruise ships, etc.). I also want to see it beat Avatar because I hate, hate, HATED that movie. (Let's make a film about a treasonous Marine who sides with the opposition and blindly murders his former colleagues, the same ones he fought alongside days ago and hasn't made any effort to peacefully educate about his new found knowledge--that will be a huge success!!!).

On Christmas Eve, we had big plans. We were going to surprise the kids with a trip to ICE! at National Harbor, followed by a picnic lunch and visit to Mount Vernon. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperative. It was a warm, rainy, day. We didn't tell the kids where we were going, but told them to put on their thermal underwear, warm clothes and to bring heavy jackets. We went through the McDonald's drive through for breakfast and were on our way! I brought hats and gloves and we layered up when we got there. I had read a lot of negative reviews, but it was still something we wanted to experience. The bad reviews gave us low expectations, but we loved it! I agree that it was pricey for a relatively short event, but it was amazing to see. I don't think we'll go every year, but I definitely want to go back if they do another theme we like (this year it was Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

All bundled up for the 9 degree temperatures

Looking Somber in Sombertown

The Wilsons have been imprisoned!

Luke on the toddler slide (it took him about 45 looong seconds to get down)

The last ice display was a Nativity

Since Mount Vernon was out, we just headed home. Everyone was still kind of full from breakfast, so we decided to skip to dessert and get Blizzards from Dairy Queen. Luke was sleeping, but he woke up when we got to the drive-through (I think he smelled it). It was a dilemma on what to do, if we gave him ice cream, he'd make a huge mess, if we didn't, he'd scream until we got home. We got him the ice cream and he made a huge mess (we've taken out the seat next to him in the van, so sitting with him was not an option. And, it didn't occur to us at the time to get him a shake). But, it was the right call, because as soon as we started handing out ice cream, he started getting excited and would have been devastated to be left out.

We got home and made our traditional sugar cookies. For dinner, we decided to start a new tradition of breakfast for dinner (french toast and eggs). Each kid opened up a gift of matching pajamas and we managed to get everyone in bed at a decent time. Then, Thomas and I did all the last minute assembly and wrapping and eagerly awaited the morning.

Kara is always ready to help bake (we did the dough the night before so it could refrigerate)

Next, we all rolled and cut out our shapes

The kids decided to change into their new pajamas before frosting (Luke had to wait)

They take the process very seriously!

Finally, we said goodbye to Twinkles. For his final spying spot, he decided to insert himself into all our family photos and hang out on our picture wall. See you next year, Twinkles!