They began with Friday movie nights.
Elena suggested the idea after realizing how much everyone enjoyed spending time together without distractions.
They did not need expensive theater tickets or elaborate entertainment systems.
They simply chose a movie, prepared inexpensive snacks, and gathered in the living room.
Sometimes Mateo selected animated adventures.
Sometimes Carlos chose an old comedy.
Elena occasionally insisted on a family film that made everyone emotional.
They laughed at predictable jokes.
They discussed favorite characters.
Mateo asked endless questions about why fictional people made strange decisions.
Carlos discovered that he enjoyed answering those questions, even when he had no idea what the correct answers were.
The family also introduced board-game afternoons.
Their collection was small, and several games were missing pieces.
That rarely stopped them.
If something was missing, Mateo invented a replacement rule.
Occasionally, the replacement rule was so complicated that nobody could remember it.
The resulting confusion became part of the entertainment.
