Red and gold walls, large and vibrant marquees glowing in the lobby, and the buttery smell of popcorn greeted us as my two little munchkin men and I walked into the Great Lakes Crossing Movie Theater yesterday. Our mission was to see Frozen, the newest Disney movie. I am pretty sure I was more excited than they were to see it.

Noah was very concerned about getting Sour Patch Kids and a (normally forbidden) frozen soda and Luke was all about the popcorn. It’s his favorite food. Luke was also nervous. It was his first time at the movies and when I let go of his hand to open the door or to get my wallet out of my purse to pay for our tickets, he would scold me, “Mom! Hold my hand!”

We made it to the theater in plenty of time to use the restroom, find good seats (near an aisle in case of an emergency), eat most of our snacks, and watch lots of previews. Before each one, Noah would ask loudly, “Is this one Frozen?” I finally got smart after the fourth preview and told him that when the lights turn off, that’s how you know the movie is about to start.

I am not even exaggerating when I say that we watched nearly thirty minutes of previews! I rarely go to the movies but when I do, it seems like they add another ten minutes of previews. One was for this movie starring Angelina Jolie called “Malificent,” and was far too scary for kids who would have been old enough to see Frozen. Way to go Disney. So the boys kind of freaked out. The only good to come out of that creepy preview was that Luke insisted on sitting on my lap for the rest of the movie.

I held my little boys’ hands and we laughed at all the funny parts together. Noah was bouncing off of his chair with excitement at a few parts. Luke would snuggle sleepily into my arms since we had gone during his usual nap time. But I was in my glory. We only had to go out for one potty break which has always been the big deterrent for me taking them alone to the movies because if one person has to go, we all three have to go, but it worked out fine.

By the end of the movie, when the credits scrolled, I lifted Luke off my lap, gathered our coats and felt so happy. It was truly a perfect afternoon with my little boys. It was the first time since Grace has been born that I have gotten to spend time with them alone. I think even I was beginning to forget that I can be a fun mom!