Movie Madness

Our two oldest sons are two and a half years apart in age.  Consequently, they are what we commonly refer to as "on different plans".  The boys know this to mean that what goes for one does not necessarily go for the other - rights, privileges, bed times, etc.  You could also think of it as a three track plan - the plan being Boy, and the tracks being Justin, Ethan and Logan.

The three track plan came into play this weekend when Justin and Ethan had back-to-back sleepovers.  Justin had his friend over last night and it was Ethan's turn tonight.  Just as my sons' tracks are different, so too are the tracks of the boys they invited to spend the night (who are, incidentally, also brothers).

Most of the differences this weekend revolved around the video games to be played and the movies to be watched.  As the boys got settled in for the night and set about picking the movie a discussion arose.  Soon, Ethan arrived upstairs to ask if they could finally watch Poltergeist II.  Finally, as though we had been stalling until one of them had a friend spend the night.  My immediate answer was "no".  Admittedly, I sat for a moment and happily reflected on the weekend when we let them watch the original Poltergeist.  Ahh, memories.  After discussing it with Ashley, we decided to let them watch and I went downstairs to tell them.  Immediately, Bryce piped up, "I'm not allowed to watch horror movies."  Aha!  Well, that settles that.

"Alright boys, since Bryce is not allowed to watch horror movies, his card trumps yours," I said.  "And, since that's the case Ethan, stop searching the horror movie category!"

"I'm not," he said.

Ethan, I'm standing right behind you watching your every move.

"You see the header at the top of the section you're searching?  The one announcing 'horror movies'?  That's your clue," I replied.

"They're not all horror movies," Ethan and Justin said together.

There was a short exchange in which examples were given and arguments were rebutted.  When I was satisfied that I had made my point - you're wrong and I'm right - I bade them good night and returned upstairs.  Not five minutes had passed when Ethan, once more, appeared upstairs in our bedroom door.

"Can we watch Hellboy?" Ethan asked excitedly.

Ashley's and my response was almost simultaneous.

"Hell no, boy!"

There is the slightest chance that we're not as hilarious as we think we are.  Still, I'm glad it was our son that came to ask.  We haven't heard from them since.  Eventually I'll go and check on them...or not.

- 18 February 2012