When we were at Disneyland at the Disney Social Media Moms Conference last month, we were treated to an extended preview of “Maleficent,” the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain from the 1959 classic “Sleeping Beauty.” To top it off, we sang happy 16th birthday to Elle Fanning who played Aurora a.k.a. Sleeping Beauty in the film and Maleficent crashed the party. Hadley knew then-and-there she wanted to see the movie on opening day for her birthday.
We arrived early to setup the popcorn and drinks and I think it was the first time I’ve ever been in an empty theater. 
Girls behaving nicely
Girls behaving not-so nicely
Too bad it didn’t stay empty but it was, after all, opening day.
I just called all those uninvited guests party crashers.
Every single one of us LOVED the movie and it went in such a different direction than I imagined (no spoilers here–go see it!) Even Bode and his friend Nolan gave it a 9 out of 10. “It would have gotten a 10 if didn’t have those kissing scenes.”
We drove back to our house for cake, ice cream and presents. Hadley requested pineapple upside-down cake and after blowing out the candles, she got quite the reaction when she ended up with one boyfriend.
Apparently she was paying attention to those kissing scenes a little too closely.
After presents, the kiddos played in the backyard until parents started arriving. When the pick-up time came and went, only a few kids remained and that is when it started downpouring. Being the responsible mom I am, I ushered everyone inside I encouraged them to go for it and that they did. Singing, dancing, splashing, rolling, lying down in the gutters full of water.
They. Had. A Blast! And for those poor parents who arrived late? That’s what happens when this mama is in charge!
Everyone thought seeing “Maleficent” for Hadley’s 10th birthday was fun. Turns out the after party in the torrential downpour was even better.
I'm a Canadian-born mom of two, former Denver Post columnist, family travel writer, editor of MileHighMamas.com and 9News contributor. Expert on all things Utah, Denver, family and travel. Lover of laughter and life. Happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin. 