The rule in our family is we celebrate birthdays for more than just the one day. So Happy Birthday Weekend to my baby boy!
Today we went to Lego Building School with Bricks 4 Kidz. After we went to lunch at his favorite pizza place. He loves him some pizza, and we ALWAYS get our money’s worth with him. The last of the fun planned was going to the movie theatre to see “The Lego Movie.”
But you probably saw that one coming, didn’t you?
I don’t want to spoil it for anyone in case you haven’t been able to rush out and see it in the two days it’s been released. I think Cooter is fairly certain that this movie was released at this time JUST FOR HIM. Well, why not? I’m not telling him otherwise.
It was an interesting movie. If your life has been inundated by Legos, Lego movies on-line, dreaming about Lego sets, and constantly hearing the newest set to make the wish list, then you will definitely get the little hidden bits of humor. When one of the characters was looking around the area trying to build something, and she kept seeing set numbers next to different parts, that was hilarious. Lego Star Wars made an appearance which thrilled all three of my children, and Billy Dee Williams played Lando, which I thought was really cool.
It was a little disconcerting during the violent parts, when I thought about how I would NOT be letting my littles watch such violence were it not just Lego parts flying around in the aftermath of one of the many attacks that were waged on the main characters.
The ending has a twist that surprised me, and without revealing too much, I felt very guilty over my claim that if I EVER lost my mind and bought Cooter one of the big (read expensive and MANY parts) Legos Star Wars sets, I would be supergluing it to keep him from tearing it apart. I mean, all that time and energy–woe be the child who takes it apart, right? Wrong, apparently. Yes, I did feel guilty, like someone had been watching and listening to my thoughts on the subject. I am Lord Business, and I don’t even have to take one of those “What character are you in The Lego Movie?” quizzes to see it.
The best part was a very small side story. One of the main characters was a Legos 80’s astronaut named Benny. A little scuffed but very enthusiastic guy. Whenever the good guys needed something to get away in, he started building a spaceship. Of course. It’s just that the heroes were always looking for something else. Benny would be so dejected. Until the time finally comes. He offers half-heartedly to build a spaceship, and after a moment of quiet, they all give him a definite YES! He can hardly believe it, and he immediately gets to work. In the span of ten seconds it’s built and they are soaring away to safety, with Benny calling out as incessantly as the seagulls in “Finding Nemo” (“mine” “mine” “mine”): “Spaceship.” “Spaceship.” “Spaceship.” “Spaceship.” He is so excited it’s downright endearing. We were all laughing gleefully with him.
Haven’t you ever had a moment like that? When you’ve found something that you were good at, and you finally have your shot, and you do a great job with it? Don’t you want to just shout it loudly and often what you have done? Yeah, I have. There’s nothing like that feeling, is there?
One other moment in the movie touched my heart and empowered me. Poor UniKitty. She was all about being positive and chipper and not letting all that was going on wrong around her bring her down. She was the Pollyanna of the group. I mean, she holds it together, stuffing all those emotions down inside, through some pretty harsh stuff. (Good thing it was all Legos, because it got pretty intense.) And finally, she is giving herself a pep talk at a point when all seems to be falling apart, and something clicks. Gone are the rainbows and sparkles–it is time for “fight back with all you got and stand up for yourself and your friends” kickin’ attitude. I cheered inside and clapped. Good for her. There comes a time, you know, even with the nicest of folks–a time to say, no more. Enough. I was glad to see her go there, to stand strong in the face of adversity.
Tonight I am thankful for the gift of spending time with family and enjoying special outings for a very special occasion. Good stuff that. I’m thankful for the privilege of going to the movies, and for entertainment that is creative and thought-provoking. Most of all, I appreciate the good company we had today. There is nothing like a good old family happening to celebrate the good things in life.
Love to all.
I Might Need A Nap 