A mini blog because it was too long for Instagram…
Theo is currently obsessed with Toy Story.
Savannah too.
Just this weekend at the pool, Savannah screeched, “NO TWO!” as I counted “1, 2, 3!” reaching for her to jump in. She rattled something fast and toddlerish that took me a few times to understand was, “To Infinity and Beyond.”
This isn’t the only quote we are a fan of. Theo made us laugh hard when he found Rex’s “I am SO glad you are not a dinosaur!” hilarious.
It was so funny that we find ourselves busting it out when we are proud, happy, reuniting, or just trying to make anyone in the family smile.
It’s becoming a weird way of saying “I love you.”
Example: “Hey Theo? I am SO glad you are not a dinosaur!” Cue laughter and hugs. Or “Thanks for refilling my wine, Trost. I am SO glad your are not a dinosaur.” Insert wink.
Theo also spent the holiday weekend toting around my brother’s Buzz Lightyear from circa 2001 that he found at my parents. Watching my son loving on a nearly twenty year old toy really brought the whole Toy Story thing full circle.
I was in third grade when Toy Story came out and we were all obsessed. We were Andy’s age. We loved our toys. I remember marking Barbie and American Girl doll feet with my name just like Andy and many of my other friends did.
Toy Story 2 came out in 1999 and I was 12. A full on tween, loving white eye shadow (Whyyyy was this a thing?), flavored lip gloss, and body glitter. NSYNC, YM and hours spent on the phone recapping the day’s drama. And, I sniffled quietly in the theater during the musical number with Jessie and her first owner, remembering my own dolls. The ones with my name on their feet tucked away in boxes in the basement or up on a shelf in my room.
The third Toy Story took a while to come around and by then I was just out of college. Adam was my boyfriend, but thoughts of marriage were not far away by the time we watched the movie at his home. We didn’t see it right away, being twenty two after all. But, after a couple of thumbs up from friends and family members we checked it out. Probably at RedBox because… that is what you did in 2010.
We, of course, cried in the final scene when Andy gives his old toys to Bonnie, explaining their strengths, importance and impact. Well… sobbed, actually. Because, how could you not?
Though already past college, we were still bridging childhood and adulthood. We were getting our first taste of jobs and rent and not needing to worry about what was on special at the bar because we could afford the drink we actually wanted. There were things we were letting go of in order to move forward. Things that couldn’t come into adulthood with us and needed to be left behind. We sobbed for this.
But, I found myself moved at a different point in Toy Story 3 too.
I know, I know. Tears. Twice. In a G rated movie.
It was when the group of toys finds themselves in the landfill, traveling towards the incinerator, with what seemed like every attempt to stop the conveyor failing. They all looked up, reached for each other and it was as if they said all the things. They were scared, but holding hands they were loved, safe and in it together. Good and bad. To infinity and whatever is in the beyond.
I know, right? Dang it, Pixar.
And, now there is a 4th movie?
Am I emotionally prepared for it?
Probably not. But, of course we will see it. Probably 500 times in a row given our kids fixation on one particular movie at a time…
This is movie that I will enjoy in real time- for the first time- with my own children as we pull the Buzz action figure and the dolls that once were mine out of the basement at my parents. Then, these toys, and the ones in the movie, taught me all about play and growing up. Mortality and love.
Now, it’s their job to teach it to these kids of mine. These kids of mine who teach me new lessons every day about play. Growing. Mortality. And, of course, love.
I am SO glad they are not dinosaurs.
Leave a Reply