Christmas party

We’re still debating whether it can be called a party or not, but we went on a fun Christmas outing last night. First, dmk burger bar for dinner (super delicious everything, including a toasted marshmallow smoothie for Liam and a home made ice cream cookie sandwich for Miles).

Then we went over to the Music Box cinema for one of their annual screenings of classic Christmas movies. The cinema is really ornate and they decorate it up with lights and tinsel. Santa started off the night with a singalong of carols (including one with local flavor that lamented the loss of Field’s department store and the Berghoff restaurant). When the movie started, which was It’s A Wonderful Life, from the first frame the audience was clapping and cheering everything Bailey and hissing Potter and shaking a lot of bells throughout. It was loads of fun and a nice alternative to watching it on DVD — great to be in a crowd that all know every line of the movie as well as we do! Hot dog! It’s dated in ways (there was a collective cringe at the portrayal of the housekeeper, and howls of laughter when in the alternative world without George Bailey, Clarence announces that Mary’s an old maid at probably 30 years old and worse, a librarian!) but the message about standing up for the little guy and the importance of community ring about as clear as the bell announcing that Clarence got his wings.