Disney Nesting

One reason I really really want Spawnie to be a girl is because I really want to watch Disney movies with her. I know boys can like Disney movies too but I'm pretty sure that princesses are move of a girlie thing. But then again there are a bunch with boyish action and stuff. What do you think? Anyone out there have boys who like Disney movies?

I got to see The Princess and the Frog a week early thanks to a perk of my job... Advanced press screening!

While I really did enjoy it, it didn't break my Disney top 5. I was SO EXCITED to see Disney go back to the hand-drawn characters, the musicals, the singing, dancing and color! Loved that. Loved that the princess was black (now COME ON Disney, make a Hispanic princess!), loved the New Orleans scene (that's where my dad is from) but it didn't make me cry from laughing or sadness... It didn't break or melt my heart like some other Disney movies. I have to admit though.. I think part of it could be because my expectations were SO HIGH (and that I'd been anticipating it for over a year) and part of it could be because *gasp* ... I'm not a little girl anymore.

But I can talk about Disney for days! I can out-play ANYONE at Disney Scene It. I'll stand and correct you when you call "Anastasia," "All Dogs Go to Heaven" or "Land Before Time" a Disney movie (cause they're not.. Although I have those too!).I've collected all 100-and-something Disney and Dianey-Pixar Animated Classics (oh yes, did I mention I have the sequels too?) from Snow White on to Ratatouille. I just need Bolt, Wall-E, Up and I totally missed Meet the Robinsons (I found that one, I do have it! Watched it for the first time, it was great!). I also would LOVE to collect the Pixar short films! Boy will Spawnie have quite a collection... I'll be HEARTBROKEN if (s)he doesn't like it.Being the Disney freak that I am, I decided to rank my top ten Disney movies so you can get an idea as to where The Princess and the Frog fits...

10. Princess and the Frog '09: Not too bad at all, it made my top 10. I'm being kind of generous. But I really could stop smiling at the beautiful characters and their cute accents and the music! My dad is from New Orleans too so I felt a special connection with the people. Aww. Love! Oh... But don't get surprised like me... This fact ALMOST ruiened the movie for me. When you think of Tiana (the princess) don't think "Jasmine" think "Belle" or "Cinderella." There... Not giving too much away :)

9. Lady and the Tramp '55: This is the oldest movie on my list. One of the original classics I LOVED and will always love... In fact, I watched it a few months ago and loved it just as much. Snoop also loves this movie.. I think the dog barking noises are actually real cause he totally likes watching this!

8. Hercules '97: Loved the colors, love the music, love the love (You'll see a trend with this). And I also just enjoyed the Greek mythology coming to life!

7. The Little Mermaid '89: This was the first Disney movie... Or movie period, I can remember seeing and understanding in the theater. I left wanting to be a mermaid and I did become one... For Halloween my Kindergarten year. I had the red wig and all.

6. Beauty and the Beast '91: I swear this movie was my entertainment for at least an entire summer. I was one of those kids who could watch the same movie over and over and over and love it each and every time. My sister and I would sct out the characters, running around and singing the songs in our basement.

5. Pocahontas '95: I know... How can this be above #6? Well, this movie to me was inspiring. A brave brown girl stopping a war between two groups of people... Ok, maybe it didn't exactly go down that way in real life, but I loved the movie nonetheless. Still do, and I love the love connection with John Smith.
4. Mulan '98: Once again, I know my taste in Disney Classics may be different than other's but I LOVED Mulan.. Still do. Mushu was hilarious, Mulan was so pretty, loved her singing.. Loved ALL of the songs! I can put that movie in today and still die laughing through it. it's also very touching and has a good message.

3. Tarzan '99: This one is about a tie with Mulan. I LOVE the music in Tarzan probably more than any other Disney movie, however there's one song I hate so much I almost want to fast forward through it. I love the mother-son connection though, and I like that little boys could like it too. It also makes me tear up!! LOVE this movie.

2. Aladdin '92: Who doesn't like this movie? It was on TV a few weeks ago and my husband actually watched it with me. I have this entire movie memorized, love the music, love the humor, love the love! And can't I have a genie?!

And no surprise to many # 1. The Lion King '94: This I think will forever be my favorite Disney movie. I will be SO HAPPY if Disney can one day top this but I'm not sure that's possible. The gut-wrenching plot was enough to bring me to tears time and time again before I was 10 (why do they do that to kids?) and time and time again even today (but it could be the hormones). I can recite this entire movie no problem.The 3-5th grade I had an entire collection of Lion King attire... Clothing, book bag, lunch box, toys. I don't know how many times we went to Burger King for those collectible cards and figurines. I was obsessed... And obviously still am.

Honorable mentions: Wall-E, Finding Nemo, The Emperors New Groove.

I'm hoping Disney movies are fun for babies to watch cause I'm already envisioning Fantasia lullabying Spawnie to sleep.

What are your favorite Disney movies?

Now that I have movies squared away though I think I'm on to books. Good children's book recommendations?

PS: I Promise my next post will be about Snoop knowing I'm pregnant, a few people have asked me about that!

Toddler Tuesday! 5 tips for shopping with a toddler.

The days of a quick trip to the store are over. For the next couple of years every time you go to the store with your little Tasmanian Devil, you will spend your visit avoiding one disaster after the next. It's a miracle we end up at the check stand with anything we came for in our basket at all. Though tying your little cherub to the shopping cart is a tempting option, I do have a few other ideas you might want to try first.

1. Bring something they love to hold.
There is so much to grab at the store! Colorful, crinkly, even squishy things beckon to your little one from all sides. You may be able to occupy one of her hands in the steel trap that is yours, but the other little hand will have only mischief to do, unless it too is occupied. My son has a piece of pottery that we found on the river bank while we were camping a few weeks ago. He LOVES this thing. I try to keep it away from him as much as possible to preserve the novelty of it. It is one of the few things I bring with me when we go shopping. He holds so tightly to this treasured little piece of clay that his hand is completely unable to touch, grab or pull everything within his reach. If your child has special items like this, they are a life-saver for keeping your toddlers hands to herself.

2. Pretend the shopping cart is awesome.
Shopping carts are not awesome. They are squeaky, bulky and difficult to steer. However, as far as your little Mario Andretti is concerned, they are a shiny race-car. Or a space ship, train, speed boat, dump truck or anything that your little feller thinks is the coolest thing in the world, as long as you say it is. The only hard part is maintaining the illusion while shopping. I try to keep a selection of 5 or 6 special "sound effects" that I can consistently make while navigating the store to help my son maintain the fantasy that I've sold him. Since he likes race cars, I screech when I stop, squeal when I turn, rev the engine while standing still, make gear shifting noises while accelerating and beep the horn when my son taps the cart's handle. What ever sounds you come up with, they can help turn the captivity of the shopping cart into a pleasant game.

3. Have labor intensive snacks available.
Now when I say labor-intensive, I do not mean for you. I mean snacks that it takes time and concentration for your little cart-gnome to eat. A simple one is a small box of raisins. One that takes a little more prep work is a cheerio necklace. If you like, you can also take an old straw-style sippy-cup and remove the straw, then toss in a few raisins, some freeze-dried yogurt drops, small crackers or whatever you want, and then show your child how to tip the cup over to get one or two at a time. I've also brought a Pez-dispenser filled with dried cranberries before, it was a little messy, but it was fascinating for my son.These difficult-to-get-at snacks are a great way to keep your little whipper-snapper's attention on them and off of creating a disaster zone in the store.

4. Ask for help with everything.
Nothing lights up a toddler's day more than being able to teach mommy or daddy a thing or two. A desire for freedom has come along with physical capability, and the ability to use words (or tantrums) to convey his needs to the adults around him. When the confinement of the shopping cart seat can no longer restrain your little "big boy", try letting him out, but asking him for help pushing the cart instead. Or help putting the pears into the bag, or help putting the boxes of cereal into the basket, or anything you are doing. For him it can seem like the most enjoyable thing in the world to help his parents with their tasks, even if those tasks are as mundane as handing the money to the cashier. A quick dose of hand sanitizer is a good idea after your toddler has been touching all of the germ-ridden surfaces at the store, especially if you let him handle money. You don't want to be adding a bunch of cold and flu bugs to the things you are picking up at the store.

5. Play I-Spy
Games like I-Spy are a great way to occupy your child for anywhere from 10 minutes to 10 hours (as in a long car-trip). Simply tell your little eagle-eye that you can see something, and then encourage her to try to see it as well. If your child is not familiar with this game, try it out in a more relaxed setting first like the park, where your attention can be more focused on helping her grasp the basics of the game. Another version of the game is to look for a certain thing, like "blue pants". Then every time one of you sees a pair, you can do a little song and dance. Oh, yeah, since you are in the super market, you may only want to give a high-five. As your little tulip-bud gets bigger you can try a version of the game where you bring a list of items for her to spot, like curly hair, apples, a baby, a balloon... etc. Then as she masters that version, you can begin to give her her own copy of the shopping list, and the game can become helpful as well as fun.

Over time the trips to the store will get easier. However, since we have to deal with going to the store now, try to keep in mind that as long as you are relaxed and trying to have a good time, your toddler will be more relaxed and open to trying fun new things as well. Think of each excursion as an adventure and you and your toddler will be able to share the fun instead of fighting your way through each trip. Please forward these tips to any parents of toddlers you know, and remember, questions and comments are always welcome. Happy parenting!