Christmas on the big screen

For the first time in a few years, one of my Christmas traditions has been broken.  Trevor and I usually make a date to go to the Kentucky Theater to see White Christmas.   We tried this year, but for some reason, the movie was only being shown Friday night and Saturday afternoon which didn't fit with our Saturday night babysitter.  I'm a little sad that we didn't get to continue this tradition because there is something so magical about seeing a classic film on the big screen.  We'll still watch it at home if we get a chance, but that's not the only Christmas movie I love.  Here's my go-to guide for the holiday season:

1.  White Christmas
It just doesn't get any better than this.  Wacky hijinks, silly misunderstandings, music and dance numbers, romance, beautiful scenery, and the clothes.  Oh, the clothes.  I myself live in jeans, but I love the days of old when people would dress up just to go to the grocery store or to travel.  No one wore heinous pajama pants on an airplane back then.  Part of the appeal is seeing the clothes on Vera-Ellen's teeny, tiny waist, though it's sad that she had that waist due to anorexia.  With a cast like Vera-Ellen, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye, and Bing Crosby, you just can't go wrong.

2.  Christmas in Connecticut
More wacky hijinks, silly misunderstandings, deliberate deceptions, comedy, and an amazing house in the country at Christmastime make this movie worthwhile.  Be sure to watch the original version with Barbara Stanwyck: don't bother with the 1992 remake.  Stinker.  Anyway, this is about a woman who pretends to be an amazing homemaker who lives in the country with her amazing family.  In reality, she is a single gal in an apartment who finds herself in a bind when her editor invites a soldier to spend Christmas at her farm.  See how this could all go wrong?  It's a very sweet and innocent story with a lot of fun thrown it.

3.  Love Actually
This isn't a classic movie per se, but I can see that it might be a classic some day.  Love Actually is a British film set at Christmastime with a spectacular ensemble cast.  The basic theme is love, but it isn't just romantic love.  It's love between friends, business partners, spouses, siblings, and even unrequited love.  The relationships are so realistic, sometimes awkwardly so, but it always makes me care more for the characters.  I also love movies that link all the characters together by interweaving their stories, especially when it's done so seamlessly.

4.  Elf
I am not normally a fan of ridiculous humor.  My brother and I weren't allowed to watch the Three Stooges when we were kids because my mom thought they were too stupid, so I don't think my physical humor bone really ever developed.  I was surprised to find that I really loved Elf the first time I saw it because it's not really refined humor.  The thing I like about it is how innocent it all is: Buddy is sweet, enthusiastic, joyous, and full of faith.  How can you not love a giant human/elf like that??  Plus, one of my most favorite celebs in the world is in Elf, Ms.  Zooey Deschanel.  She is beyond brilliant.  Toats.

5.  A Christmas Story
Growing up near Hammond, IN, which was the model for the fictitious town of Hohman, IN, in the movie, there is something soothing about watching Ralphie, Randy, and the Bumpuses' hounds.  There really isn't anything like growing up in a small town and enjoying a small town Christmas.  And Ralphie is sort of the every-kid: we have all dealt with clueless parents, bullies like Scut Farkus, and triple-dog dares.  We root for him to get his Red-Ryder-carbine-action-two-hundred-shot-Range-Model-air-rifle-with-a-compass-and-this-thing-which-tells-time-built-right-in-to-the-stock because he's so likeable and earnest and real.  We all had something we wished for as a kid, no matter how ridiculous it was.  My most serious dream gifts ranged from a dollhouse to a puppy to a gold, shiny, metal belt with a lion's head on the buckle.  So weird, I know, but it makes Raphie and his quest so much more honest to me.

Wishing you all a happy holiday season!

And please don't shoot your eye out.  

Da Region

Lottie, Dallas, and I just spent a week in Valparaiso, IN, with my family.  The kidlets were so excited to spend time with everyone!  We flew up in a private plane last Saturday - thanks, Dad! - and arrived in a little under an hour and a half.  MUCH nicer than a six-hour drive that always turns out longer when potty stops have to happen every hour or so.

While we were there, we kept pretty busy.  We visited the Porter County Fair one day, and the kids were all about the rides.  Last year, I injured my shoulder on a fair ride, so I was given explicit instructions to stay off all rides this year.  Luckily, my sister-in-law and my niece accompanied us, so I didn't even have to ride the Ferris Wheel with Lottie.

Lottie, the more adventure-seeking of my two kids, even did a bungee jumping activity.  It was hilarious to watch her bounce up and down or at least try to.  The workers had to pull her down a couple of times to give her enough oomph to do it on her own.

While we were in Da Region, which refers to northwest Indiana for those of you unfamiliar with the lingo, we saw two movies: Winnie the Pooh and Cars 2.  Both movies were really cute, but the kids got pretty restless during Cars 2.  It was quite a bit longer than Winnie the Pooh, and I don't think the kids were quite ready for the James Bond-esque adventures that Lightning McQueen, Mater, and crew were having.  Dallas laughed so long and loud during Winnie the Pooh that I had minor concerns we would be kicked out of the theater.

We also visited a few parks to let the kids run wild.  When Dallas was trying to climb the outside window sills of my parents' house, I thought maybe it was time to get him someplace where it was appropriate to climb.

We also spent a lot of time at my brother and sister-in-law's house at their pool.  Lottie is a total fish and would swim all day long if I would allow it; Dallas deigned to sit on the highest pool step once or twice, but as we well know, water is not his thing.

And yes, he's nude in the pool.  Apparently swimsuits are not his thing, either.  I chose a picture with no naughty bits, though, so his future political career remains intact.

We also got to see my aunt and some of my cousins.  Sharin and her kids, Carolyn and Tommy, were visiting from Colorado, and Ted, his wife Shu-ting, and their son, Theo, were visiting from Taiwan.  My kids were not in particularly good moods on the day we saw Sharin and her crew, so instead of taking pictures, I was ministering to them.  The second time we saw Ted and his family, Dallas stayed home with my parents due to his bad mood.  Luckily, Lottie was fine and had fun playing with Theo.

Lottie was dressed as an Native-American...complete with tomahawk and Batman utility belt.

Overall, it was a great trip.  I love spending time with my family and watching my kids interact with everyone.  I was really lonely for Trevor, though; I miss my best friend when I'm away from him.  And I know that having the kids around 24/7 is exhausting for my parents.  When my mom and dad are visiting us in Lexington, they have their own condo to stay in and escape to.  No such luck when we're in Valpo. But I'm grateful that they at least pretend that it's okay when Lottie and Dallas insist on bubble baths in their whirlpool tub or follow the dogs around and dress them in costumes and jewelry.

I'll have to keep these memories close to my heart this week as we begin (dum dum DUUUUUM) potty training.  Today is day one, and I have cried three times.  It's gotta get better, right?  RIGHT??????