Sometime last year the boys and I were in a dark movie theatre watching previews. In between trailers there was a moment of silence, the screen turned midnight blue for two beats, and Jacob audibly groaned. Followed by an immediate crescendo into the Frozen theme song. I was stunned. How did he know? The boys have some kind of anti-Frozen sixth sense. I’m surprised he didn’t turn to me with his usual index finger trailing down his face like a tear and sing forlornly, “Hello darkness, my old friend.” Apparently it’s a meme spawned by a Simon and Garfunkel song. All the kids do it.
Which is why I was shocked when they agreed to letting me pick Frozen II as our Mother’s Day family evening entertainment. They actually suggested it. I’m convinced they were secretly looking for a convenient excuse to watch it.
Leading up to my Disney Mother’s Day, I took Friday off, did the full Bob Jones, and then the boys and I had a joyful day eating sandwiches in the shade and frequenting our favorite Pacheco practice pastime. On Saturday we had take-out tacos downtown, visited the shop, and swung past the plant store. And on Sunday we had a beautiful breakfast of lemony hollandaise followed by another date with the Bob Jones. Then we embarked on an exciting masked family expedition to California Fresh for supplies to… wait for it… make our own pickles. We also made a big family-style seafood paella and washed it down with McConnell’s.
Finally, we cozied up to watch the much anticipated Frozen II. We found out Nate “actually likes” Olaf, unlike me, who still isn’t over a bad personal experience with an Olaf. And much like baby Nate who refused to sing in swimming lessons, big Nate still finds musical scenes excruciating. Though we all easily agreed Kristoff’s solo should have been cut.
Meanwhile I’m generally inspired to belt out the latest Disney single mid-movie. I really only need a bit of the hook and the basic melody to swirl around as my best Disney-princess self, my formal gowns and deceptively warm ice-skating ensembles billowing in the breeze surrounding our couch.
I’m especially drawn to Ana songs. And was particularly proud of my improvisational music talents when I took the lyrics to The Next Right Thing and performed a mesmerizing version, including the line, “Hello, darkness, my old friend…”
I got an appreciative snort from Jacob.
And… scene.