Kelbi Lynne wasn’t interested in “The Skeleton Key,” starring Kate Hudson.
But I was.
I’ll have to check out the movie another time, because my granddaughter was too squirmy and talkative at Loews Cineplex in Lynnwood.
On my vacation, her Grampie and I took Kelbi, who turns 1 today, to a movie program called Reel Moms at 11 a.m. one Tuesday. It sounded like so much fun.
And Kelbi had fun, crawling on the seat between us, jabbering, loud about who knows what, wanting to get down on the sticky floor and n general being annoying. Moms with younger babies who were hunkered down in their arms had a much better time.
I still give the program by Loews Cineplex Entertainment a big 10 because it’s a wonderful idea for folks with new babies. At 11 a.m. Tuesdays, see a movie with other parents who understand fussy ones or diaper bags in the aisles.
Very nice managing director James Henry welcomed us to the theater. You pay for your ticket, but babies are admitted for free. There is a roped off area for strollers. Socializing is encouraged. Henry even went into the screening room and made everyone feel comfortable with his opening comments.
Reel Moms is a program for mothers and fathers with infants, but they let in grandparents. The shows are tailored to meet baby needs and include dimmed but not extinguished lights and reduced sound levels.
Maylea Lamborn of Everett was at her second Reel Mom show with 6-month-old Kilea.
“It’s really relaxing,” Lamborn said. “I don’t have to worry about the baby crying.”
The week before, she got to see the popular penguin movie “March of the Penguins.” I think Kelbi might have been interested in that one, but the dark horror film on tap that day wasn’t her cup of formula. At first, I thought it was odd they weren’t showing cartoons or something, but soon realized the audience included infants who didn’t care what played and parents who appreciated seeing an adult show.
Tiny Amelia Kohn, 4 months old, has slept through several Reel Mom Tuesdays. Her mother, Stefin Kohn of Seattle, has enjoyed the program for months.
“It’s just so nice to go to a place where there are other babies and moms,” Kohn said. “It’s refreshing. Nobody worries or shoots you dirty looks.”
She was able to breast-feed her baby during the show. Kohn said it was surreal, the first time she saw a toddler creeping down the aisle. Wanderers are more visible because the lights are turned up a bit.
“It’s a great way to get out and do an adult thing,” she said. “I hope it continues.”
Don’t tell mall merchants, but she usually doesn’t spend any money before or after the movies.
“It’s a big outing,” Kohn said. “We’re usually tired, so we don’t shop.”
Our granddaughter wasn’t tired at all. We brought along crackers and apple juice, anticipating our lovely baby would sit still in her seat, have a little snack and watch the big screen.
Not so fast. Kelbi didn’t want to sit on a lap or in her seat. She wanted to climb over the back of the chair. Her interest in the other little ones lasted about 60 seconds. Perhaps our certainly ultraintelligent granddaughter was verbally reviewing Hudson’s performance, but it sounded like very loud commentary. It was too much, even for Reel Moms.
My husband and I exchanged understanding glances after five minutes of what looked like a great film, and headed for the door.
We were surprised ,because taking children to the movies is our forte. Our kids as toddlers saw the top five Oscar film each year. As I’ve written before, R-rated language doesn’t bother me. We covered little eyes for scenes that weren’t age appropriate.
Once your charge starts crawling, better hope they want to nap when you hit the Reel Mom theater, or you might feel it’s too much of a struggle to wrestle baby and watch the show.
Next Tuesday, Reel Moms features “Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride.”
I don’t think Kelbi would like that one.
Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@ heraldnet.com.
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