Where the Frustrated Things Are

Weekends have a different meaning when you are a parent. I have to remind myself that before I had kids that weekends were when I had to do laundry and grocery shop. But Keith and I also could sleep in and do just about anything we wanted and RELAX. Today, David didn't seem like he was going to take a nap, so, for once, I was spontaneous. I took him out of his room, looked up movie times, and told him we were going out. I knew Keith would be watching football, and Drew would still be asleep for a while longer, so I seized my chance. Yeah, laundry needed to be folded and there was clutter from being gone at David's soccer game all morning, but who cared. I needed a little adventure. I wanted it to feel like a Saturday. I wanted to get out of the house with David and take him to his first movie.
I made the mistake of telling David the movie names as I looked up the times, and he insisted that he wanted to see Where the Wild Things Are. He's not even keen on the book, but I am, and I figured it would be cute. Plus the time worked perfectly. I should have known better. I really should have. I have since heard/read that it is a better adult flick. Ugh. I knew that once the initial Wild Thing introduction got over, it would get happy. Which is why I just held David on my lap and tried to whisper him through the scary part. I didn't want to leave the movie on a bad note and he think that the creatures were mean. I wanted to get to the part where they became friendly/funny. To my dismay, a lady came over and said, "That child is scared to death. And, you know, he'll probably have nightmares tonight." I couldn't say anything. I wanted to cry. I just wanted him to see that it did turn out okay. Yes, I should have taken him to the Greek Festival instead.
I have since thought of what I could have said- "You know, when I walked in there were some people smoking while their kids sat next to them, perhaps you should go champion their little pink lungs instead." But of course by the time I thought of these it was too late. I just wanted to do something really fun for my little boy. We got to the part where they all became friends, but ended up leaving early anyway. I am praying that David doesn't have bad dreams. I think by the time David is ready to see another movie, Drew will be old enough to go, and we'll all go as a family. We'll definitely stick with animated flicks with a "G" rating. I had no idea that "damn" was an acceptable word in "PG."
Here's to hoping for some better adventures.