I made a discovery this weekend . . . and when the divine stumbles upon the same, i'll be in big, big trouble in the parenting universe. picture this . . .

saturday morning, sitting outside on the patio helping the divine paint her hands and footprints on big white paper (very messy but oh so fun), casually discussing plans for the day and asking if she'd like to go see a movie at the movie theatre with mommy . . . immediate reaction is "We go to the movies and see Winnie the Pooh!!!!" (as that is the only movie she has seen thus far at the theatre) - quickly explain that we are going to go see a movie about fish (so as to avoid catastrophic meltdown while actually sitting in a crowded theatre and winnie the pooh fails to appear), then use "charlie the fish" who is swimming around happily in the divine's bedroom as your point of reference, check the movie times to see which matinee (cheaper prices - and this is important b/c i'm without funds until payday) we should attend and explain that we will go to the movie about fish right after naptime. thus, the scene is set . . .

discuss the movie the entire afternoon and at one point explain that going to the movie about fish hinges on the occurrence of a nap (and reminder to self, never discuss big plans for late in the day prior to expecting said child to sleep). wake up from nap, get the divine dressed up adorably b/c going on a big outing like the movies is an event, fill elmo backpack with snackbag and sippy cup, pile in the car and head for the theatre - with the divine all the while sitting in her carseat in the back stating repeatedly that we are going to the movies.

Arriving at the theatre elicits squeals of delight from said child and we get out of the car and walk toward the theatre and guess what, boys and girls . . . the 4:10 is sold out . . . oh well, there's another starting at 4:40, we can just hang out inside until that one starts seating . . .um, no, the 4:40 is sold out as well. i turn to explain to the divine that the movie theatre is full and that we'll have to come back tomorrow but that tomorrow we will come back to see the movie about fish, i promise . . .

really, a fit i could have handled - i fully expected and was prepared for a true tantrum brought on by lack of understanding and monumental disappointment - i would have been sympathetic and understanding, i would have let the tantrum run its course and then again been steadfast in my attempts at gently explaining the whole sold out concept and assurances that we would go to the movie about fish tomorrow. HOWEVER, instead, i was bombarded with the most effective means of negotiating (if you can call it that - it was hardly an even playing field) i've ever witnessed or been victim to -

my daughter has very fair skin, auburn hair which is still short but curly in the back, and the bluest eyes you have ever seen (her eyes are my favorite feature, and also apparently my biggest weakness) . . . when i began to turn us around and head back to the parking lot, she naturally resisted as i simultaneously began to explain that the theatre was full but i was stopped about 1/3 of the way through when she stopped in her tracks, looked up at me with HUGE crocodile tears that were threatening to spill over but hadn't quite made it yet, a quivering bottom lip and said in half protest but half questioning and more innocence than i believe i have ever heard in one child's voice, "No, we go to the movies, Mommy?" I really did try to continue talking but my voice seemed to be momentarily lost and my eyes were locked with hers and then one lone tear spilled over and trailed its way down her round, soft little cheek and she said, "Mommy, we go to the movies. OK?"

I was putty in her hands . . . occupation be damned, I'm not sure I could have formed an argument or an explanation adverse to her request if our lives had depended on it. I found myself turning back to the window and purchasing tickets and paying full price for the 7:00 feature and I know without a doubt in my mind that if they had tripled the price in the thirty seconds that expired between being told they were sold out and turning back around to purchase, I would have purchased them anyway without a moment's hesitation.

But that wasn't the end of it . . . I still had to explain why we were leaving and in doing so, I found myself explaining that we were going to go eat hamburgers and french fries and then hot fudge sundaes for dessert (understand these unsolicited promises are spilling out of a mommy that typically serves fruits and vegetables with every meal - ha!!) and then coming back to the theatre to watch the movie about fish.

I'm not sure if the divine really grasped the power she possesses with that little trick. . . but she will someday and in those moments of crocodile tears and quivering lips, all those great parenting plans and strategies i intended to implement will be irrelevant, at best.

having said all that, i didn't leave much room to talk about the movie . . . but let me just say that Finding Nemo is one of the best disney movies ever (and no, it isn't JUST b/c allison janney is the voice of peach, the starfish - although obviously that doesn't hurt). Incidentally, for all the Ellen fans out there, she nails it as the voice of Dory (sp?). I don't normally plug movies - but this is a good one for adults and kids - it's hilarious and fun and, quite frankly, i wouldn't mind seeing it again myself.

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