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?
Finding Nemo is a definite fave,
A movie about which our family rave,
Nemo escaped by going the “flush”,
But our favourite character is definitely Crush.
Beauty and the beast, i loved the music growing up but it also was like me and my ex i was beauty and he was the hairy beast hehe
Princess and the Frog. An independent woman, who knows what she wants and works hard. (Plus, I think I slightly fancy Prince Naveen!! Is that strange??)
Our favourite Disney Movie is Ratatouille, we love Remy, we love food and we love the storyline. Helping one another and working together! And it’s based in Paris, France. Say no more!!!
Really I’m not fussy
I enjoy them all
But the thing that I enjoy the most
Is the peace it brings to me
Beauty & The Beast- the best female lead in all the Disney films.
My favourite is Old Yeller. I was 7 and it was the first of a lifetime of movies I’d bawl through.
“The Lion King” I must admit, Is my Disney favourite,
“The Circle of Life” story was told.
Perfect movie for young and old!
The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Disney are amazing at revamping classic stories and I really loved the music and the moral to this movie.
Lion King Hakumamatata, it shows the real truth behind the first Lion King. So hilarious the kids and us are rolling over in laughter
Pocahontas.. a beautiful touching story with amazing songs that will always be my favourite. There is a powerful message for the young and old for us to love our planet Earth and each other despite our cultural differences.
The Lion King – the best family movie ever..
The Lion King, te only movie my gandkids can watch and watch and watch.
Mulan. I love it because she’s not your stereotypical princess, waiting to be rescued by a prince. She takes action herself, makes her own decisions, solves her own problems and is loyal to those she loves.
Beauty And The Beast teaches children and adults not to judge and that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Toy Story 1, 2 and 3;
Choosing the best is beyond me!
Buzz is strong, yet sweet too;
He’s my favourite, how about you?
The Little Mermaid. Ariel has always been a favourite since my now 6 year old was a toddler. I don’t know how many times we have watch the movie & read the book. My 2 year old son is now becoming a fan.
Bedtime Stories is our favourite the wonderful power of imagination and we are all inspired and encouraged to use it no matter what age we are.
Jungle Book – I so love the fun loving Baloo the bear.
I love the princess and the frog. My kids love it and even the dog. Movie night we all decide disney goes on without a fight,From Nemo to Shrek there all a blast but I have to say we love all the Disney Cast!