Go Big

Scott and I have always been big believers in the "Go Big Or Go Home" mantra. While it may have originated as a bumper sticker stuck cockeyed on the tailgate of a snowboarder's Pathfinder, we tend to apply it to all aspects of life - for better or worse. Taking Sawyer to see his first movie was no exception.

I really hadn't planned to take Sawyer to see his first movie this year, or even next year for that matter. We live more than an hour away from the closest movie theater, and I figured we'd wait until Sawyer was old enough to appreciate the movie, or at least sit still through it.

I have distinct memories of my first-ever movie "Star Wars," which I saw with my dad and my grandmother when I was still too little to keep the seat from folding back up on me. My grandmother put her 10-pound purse down next to me, which solved the problem. The movie both terrified and captivated me, and I may have been one of the few 6-year-old girls to possess the entire action figure collection as well as a fleet of x-wing fighters and the evil empire's dollhouse.

Several weeks ago Sawyer saw a full page color ad for Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, and went absolutely nuts. He owns the first movie and can name all the animals. It's never been my favorite movie, but the thought crossed my mind that it could be a good first movie him - except that its rated PG, for 'crude humor.' That's what happen when Chris Rock stars as a zebra.

On Saturday, during an impromptu trip to the Dulles air and space museum (AWESOME) we came across a life-sized poster advertising the movie at the IMAX theater. Throwing caution over 'crude humor' aside, we bought tickets. After all, if you're going to see your first movie, what better venue than an IMAX theater.

Sawyer sat riveted through the entire show and Arden (eventually) slept (thanks to Magic Dad who can put any baby to sleep) despite a volume decibel that I found borderline painful. And, while it's no Finding Nemo, it was pretty good. The soundtrack was great and now Sawyer makes me sing on command (Sing Momma. Sing!): I like to move it move it . . .