We’ve watched movies together as a family for many years now, but typically, we’ve made the experience matinees, or sometimes dinner-and-a-movie specials. (Our children typically go to bed between 7:30-8.) Over the Christmas holiday, however, we let our kids stay up late two different nights to watch a movie after dinner with us. It felt like a rite of passage, one of those invisible parenthood thresholds: we have now officially entered the phase of true family movie nights, where the movie is the activity, and it’s dark out, and we’re snuggled on one couch under multiple blankets, and we’re all watching something we independently find enjoyable. We watched “The BFG” one night (my daughter is obsessed with Roald Dahl) and “Wild Robot” the other. I’d strongly recommend both, but especially “Wild Robot.” I teared up several times, as it tugged on multiple heartstrings while broaching the themes of watching your children grow up and fly the coop, identity as mother, outsidership versus community, and kindness in the face of austerity and even cruelty. There is a moment in which one of the characters tells a gosling learning to fly: “You’re not meant to fly like others; you’re meant to fly like yourself.” (!)
I’m wondering if you can share a few of your favorite family movies so I have a good lead list as we tuck into this new stage of family life? We’ve done a lot of the Disney animated classics already, so mainly looking for wholesome, feel-good live action films at this point. “Matilda” (old 90s one) is next on our list — my daughter and I are almost done reading the book together and I know she’ll love this!
A few movies we’ve watched and enjoyed together in the past year or so — please add to this list!
“The Sandlot”
“The Mitchells vs. The Machines”
“Robot Dreams”
“Homeward Bound”
“The Velveteen Rabbit”
“SpiderMan: Across the SpiderVerse”
“Babe the Pig”
Movies I remember loving but not sure if they’ll still hold up? — please weigh in!: “The Little Giants,” “Baby’s Day Out,” “The Apple Dumpling Gang,” “Grease,” “The Secret Garden,” “Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken,” “Goonies,” “Richie Rich,” “Back to the Future,” “Parent Trap,” “Willow,” “Sound of Music,” “Rookie of the Year,” “Mighty Ducks,” and “The Little Rascals.” Please share thoughts!
Post-Scripts.
+Maintaining wonder as a parent.
+My day is full of small things.
+On doing small things with great love.
Shopping Break.
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+Tuckernuck’s sample sale starts today, with items up to 80% off! I haven’t had advanced access to which products will be included (sometimes brands give me an early glimpse so I can share) but will try to update this post later today with any can’t miss items.
+So obsessed with this new capsule from Posse! It’s everything I want to wear this spring/summer — elegant, slightly preppy but made modern, easy. I love this top, these pants, this boatneck, this matching skirt, this vest…! There are also gorgeous pieces in butter yellow…I want it all.
+Good price for a great scalloped outdoor rug.
+Lake just restocked a bunch of its Valentine’s Day patterns in case they sold through in your child’s size (or your size) last time you checked. I got these in the blue hearts for my children. A good look for less heart pajama set for your little one: these!
+I’m in the market for a proper desk for my daughter. She’s been using an all-purpose table with a small chair for awhile now — and she’s outgrown it. My top picks right now are this, this (the hutch is appealing — extra storage), and this. One thing I keep asking myself is whether she the styles will feel babyish when she’s getting into her teen years. I’d like to buy her something that could potentially go with her to college if need be! Crazy to imagine thinking like that…!
+While we’re at Pottery Barn, loving their new collection with Kravet, including these gorgeous mugs, this lamp (!!!), and these curtains!
+If you’re shopping for your little one for warmer weather getaway, my favorite shorts for boys are these (my son slightly prefers the version in the performance material) and these.
+And for you for a warm weather getaway: fun new statement raffia Mary Janes from Prada, these shorts, and this perfect Alemais dress. And of course if you missed out on the Follow Suit Flora at Tuckernuck (now sold out — soo many of us bought these), you can still find them in a bunch of colors here.
+Scalloped bathmat for under $30 — great way to zhush your little one’s bathroom! Another great buy for a little one’s room: this $20 scalloped shelf, or this similar rattan trim book nook. Sweet ways to display frames/books/etc. Also love these bookends from the collection.
+Adorable $29 raincoat for a girl. Have also bought my kids these $31 raincoats for multiple years in a row. Best colors and have a nice, soft cotton lining.