The art of going out as a family is forward planning, thinking everything through, packing all the right equipment and then executing that well-made plan. Thankfully we no longer need to take things like pushchairs and nappy bags with us so we can be a little more spontaneous than in the past but all expeditions still do need thinking about.
Our weekends seem to have become ones packed with dance practices these days and so on Sunday morning while Lexi took Edwin to his latest rehearsal I took Rupert and Trixie to The Lego Movie, largely on the back of the reviews not being too bad. I checked the show times, selected the venue, collected our warm jumpers for the chilled screening halls, remembered to take the children with me and off we set. Everything was going to plan and I was so organised that I even remembered what usually happens to me when taking children to the cinema. The seats are comfortable, it is dark and, thanks to my hoodie, I am warm. I fall asleep. And yesterday's show was no different. Shortly after one Lego model that resembled William Shakespeare appeared on screen I got settled, closed my eyes and off I went, but I had prepared well though. Knowing that Rupert would ask what I thought the best bit of the film had been I quickly decided that the lego sea was pretty good and went to sleep. True to form I woke up sometime after Liam Neeson appeared doing his Lego stuff and on exiting Rupert asked me that question. I don't know how much longer I can get away with snoozing at the flicks.
I had a much faster experience tonight as I went for my running constitutional around Desa Park City. After I had completed two thirds of my first lap a round looking chap started running next to me and offered to pace it out with me. I accepted and off we went at what felt like a frightening speed. He told me that he was 51 and had had to stop playing football due to a knee operation but was just trying to get back in trim. When he accelerated, so did I and so in this fashion we charged round the place. All very appropriate really as he had introduced himself as Mr Rush.
Rupert, year four, and Edwin, year six, are away this week until Wednesday and Friday respectively on their year camps. It is very quiet with only Trixie here.