Family Movie Night: The Parent Trap
Friday Family Night: The Parent Trap Edition 🍪
One of our recent movie nights is one of my absolute childhood favorites—The Parent Trap! You know the one: Lindsay Lohan playing both twins like a total boss before we even knew what CGI was. I remember being completely mesmerized—not just by the plot twists and twin shenanigans, but by those dreamy London streets where Annie (ok, technically Hallie) walks arm in arm with her fancy fashion designer mom. I was like, “Yes, this is my future. British accents and all.” 😂
This movie hits me right in the nostalgia every time. I used to watch it religiously with my sisters, cousins, and our grandmother—who also loved it, probably because it’s a flawless classic.
And while the twins were the stars, I’ve got a confession: As a kid, I lowkey loved Meredith Blake.
I mean, the sleek blonde bob, that striped power suit (you know the one), the Evian water bottle before hydration was a personality! She was giving “I’m not a regular stepmom, I’m a boss.” I thought she was so cool and independent—like, hello, she was managing her life and marrying into a vineyard. Umm…goals?!
But let’s be real… Meredith was also the villain. Who sends children off to boarding school with a smirk and a designer suitcase? Not the vibe. So yes, I grew out of my Meredith fan club. But I still raise my glass (of Evian) to her aesthetic.
The Setup
Before movie night kicked off, Erik and I had a little surprise planned for AG: a full-on Parent Trap-style scavenger hunt through the house. Clues, notes, tiny adventures—and at the end? A suitcase with the big reveal:
💥 She’s going to LONDON (& Paris) in June!🎉
Cue the Annie voice: “Isn’t it just darling?”
We can’t wait to explore all the sights with her, just like Annie would’ve shown Hallie:
– Tower Bridge
– The Tower of London (history, drama, and maybe a ghost or two)
– The London Eye, because duh
– Cream tea, scones, and royalcore photo ops
– And maybe spotting a Royal or two near Buckingham Palace 👀
The Menu
A themed menu was mandatory for a night this iconic:
🍲 Chessy’s Chili – warm, comforting, and filled with love. Just like the woman herself.
🍞 Cornbread – because chili without cornbread is basically a crime.
🥜 Oreos & Peanut Butter – because childhood chaos tastes best with a little crunch.
💧 Meredith’s Evian – a toast to bougie hydration and villain origin stories.
We curled up with blankets, dimmed the lights, and hit play. The moment the opening song started (“L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole, chef’s kiss), it all came rushing back—the sleepovers, the inside jokes, the acting out the movie with my cousins. Sharing this movie with AG felt like passing the baton of girlhood wonder, twin tricks, and just a touch of chaos.
Let’s Get Together (Yeah, Yeah, Yeah)
Family movie nights are a simple thing, but they’re also everything. A bit of food, a favorite film, and a whole lot of heart. And when they come with a big surprise like a trip across the pond? Even better.
London, we’ll see you soon. And Meredith? Watch your back. 😎
