Boat Races
“First the worst, second the best, third the ugly princess….”
My ears ring to the constant cries of “It’s Not Fair!” and there is already a bit of competitiveness between the three big kids in our family. Who is the best at this, who should get more of that, who should go first at this, who came last at that. The addition of this lovely little rhyme that recently came home from school did not improve the situation. So I’ve been making a conscious effort to try and realign our ideas on competition and encourage the positives of joining in, doing your best and having fun, rather than worrying about who is first, second, or worse, ugly!
When the sun finally came out after days of rain I asked the big kids if they’d like to make boats to race down the raging river of our drive way. They were very keen!
There was much discussion about how to make a boat that would float the best and go the fastest. Of course the girls thought that their boats would win, because they were much better than their brother at making boats. Muski was unperturbed, he went for a boat with a square sail and high sides, ignoring his sisters comments that it would surely ‘drown’.
There was a lot of shouting as we ran along side the little boats zooming down the side of the drive way. Zoe’s boat tipped over and needed a new sail, and Muski’s boat was slow but certainly not ‘drowning’. Izzy’s boat was in the lead, way out in front, flying along. Zoe’s boat (helped by a little bit of ‘I need to make up time because of my broken sail’ type cheating) was beginning to catch up, and Muki’s boat lost it’s mast and sail completely, but still soldiered on.
Izzy started celebrating her win way before her boat was even close to the gate, but had to eat her words when it hit a snag and went under completely. Zoe just couldn’t keep her cheating fingers away from her boat and ended up capsizing it with her efforts. Muski’s boat sailed past them both, down a treacherous waterfall, and on to cross the finish line first with all of us cheering it on!
As we walked back up the drive way to start all over again Izzy said…
“That was so much fun…. even if I didn’t win. It doesn’t matter about winning when you are having fun.”
And with that the ‘Ugly Princess’ was gone… at least for a little while.
This activity was inspired by a trip to the movies to see Tangled in 3D. It was such a great movie and is now one of our all time favourites.
What’s your favourite Disney movie?
In our house snow white is without doubt the favourite, the kids love the ‘hi ho’s’ (dwarfs) and hide under their bean bags in anticipation of the queen dying.
I love how much they embrace it and that is why it’s my fav!
‘The Emperors New Groove’ because of Kronk, best sidekick ever.
Toy Story 2. It’s my kids absolute favorite at the moment and I must have seen it a hundred times yet, it’s not annoying me :) Also love that it’s a bit more gender neutral rather than a “boy” or Girl” movie.
My favourite Disney movie would have to be Hannah Montana The Movie because my kids have watched every single episode since they were little and it never gets boring or old!
The first ‘Parent Trap’ is my favourite – for once no parents are dead, and it fulfills every child’s dream of happy families.
My favourite Disney movie has always been Bambi and now my grandkids love it also
The Little Mermaid. Easily have seen it over 100 times as a child I still know it word for word today. I think I initially like it so much as she had the same hair as me, usually the princesses had brown, black or blond hair. Ariel had red hair a beautiful voice it was nice to see.
Brother Bear…Brought the phrase “Love Doo” to this family. Such a great movie. The kids have watched it so often I know the dialogue from start to finish :)
The Lion King – As well as the heartfelt story, the musical score is perfect to sing (and dance!) along to.
Finding Nemo- a classic movie with hilaroius phrases. A movie for young and old.
Finding Nemo – vivid characters and brilliant animation, and you’ll surely appreciate the witty adult humor and human themes!
The classic ‘Jungle Book’
Cause all we really need are the “simple bear necessities”
Toy Story 2, my boys even act out the scenes from it now with their Buzz and Woody costumes on, so cute!
Lady and The Tramp – it is the reason we used to eat spagetti when we are kids – and I now use it on my own kids.
The Lion King, hands down! It never gets old and it still gives me shivers and still makes me cry today when I watch it even after almost 17 years!
The Little Mermaid – I love how she ‘Rules the Waves’ and ‘Waives the Rules’ for love
The Princess diaries- I always wished that was me being rescued and living in a far away land..and being a real life princess :)
I’m a tired Mum that loves the story of Sleeping Beauty. But that wicked prince should have let her sleep.
Fantasia because it was the first great Disney movie with movement and colour
Mary Poppins. One movie that has lasted through the generations as a truly amazing family movie!