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Monday, November 10, 2008

Perfect Moment Monday

children mentioned...

I am participating again in Perfect Moment Monday. Click over for the full list of participants.

My perfect moment came this past Sunday when the twins saw their first true film: The Little Mermaid. Yes, we had to skip over the storm scene, the shark scene, anything with the eels or Ursula, and a few times when King Triton yelled at Ariel, but we made it all the way to the closing credits and they even bopped around during the reprise of "Under the Sea."

There was a moment when I was watching their faces instead of watching the film and their mouths were slightly ajar and it felt like we had arrived at some milestone. There was this profound relief at watching them connect with this story. And I loved it when the ChickieNob started sobbing and said, "I'll never get to be a mermaid when I grow up because I can't live in the sea." Not loving that her heart was breaking, but that her imagination was so intense that she could bring herself to tears with that thought.

We've tried a bunch of films and we've never made it through one. I was just so happy to make it all the way through this one.

13 comments:

Lori Lavender Luz said...

It is really something when you see a child able to see with the eyes of another creature, even a fictitious one.

Cara said...

I try to watch their faces too. I worry so much what it puts into their evolving image of life.

Good to know your little one still has two feet on the ground (and not a fin in the ocean!)

Tash said...

Bella was Ariel for Halloween. When I ask her what her favorite dream is, she often responds, "When I'm a mermaid." And one of my favorite Bella moments came when finishing reading the book, and she turned to me and asked, "Why doesn't the prince go and live with her?" Good question, little one.

Yesterday we went to the theater and saw "Madagascar II." There's a whole fun and painful future ahead of you.

HereWeGoAJen said...

My sister once sobbed for hours because the dad in Beauty and the Beast didn't have any friends.

I refused to watch the Little Mermaid when it first came out. I had read the original story and was terrified to see that in movie form. (Knives, stabbing, and cutting out tongues- not cool. I was glad when I found out Disney had changed those bits.)

Somewhat Ordinary said...

Your daughter is so wise for her age. Funny story-my brother was one of those kids that was right near the kindergarten cut-off. My parents took him into the school for an evaluation to see if he could start at 4 years old. When asked what he wanted to be when he grew up he told them a Ghostbuster (he LOVED that movie). When they asked him if he believed in ghosts he told them no so they asked how would he would be a Ghostbuster if there were no ghosts and he just said he didn't know. Needless to say it came back that he was not mature enough to enter kidergarten a year early. He was not one that had his two feet planted too firmly!

Good luck in finally getting through a movie!

Anonymous said...

I can't wait for those perfect moments.

Mom tried to take me to the theater to see The Fox & The Hound. We had to leave because I cried so loudly when the older dog fell off that railroad bridge thing. I can't give you more details because, to this day, I still can't watch it.

I'm kind of sad for ChickieNob, but it's wonderful that she could illustrate her feelings so clearly to you.

Grad3 said...

I love to watch children's imaginations--- and I have to admit, I am still a little sad that I can't be a mermaid :)

Bea said...

Ah, I never thought of a feature-length film as a milestone, but I guess it is. Being able to stay awake that long, for a start, and then being able to concentrate on watching for that long. I guess we're a way off. Only a few years to go, though, by the sounds. I'll have to start working on my film list. I'll make sure to add Little Mermaid just for you.

Bea

Carrie27 said...

I can't wait to take our kiddos to a movie some day. It's a special moment not only for mommy, but for the kiddo/kiddos.

loribeth said...

I can remember some years ago dh telling me about one of his colleagues who took his 3-yr-old daughter to her first in-theatre movie "Beauty & the Beast." He said she was absolutely spellbound throughout the entire movie, & at the end she said, "That was WONDERFUL!! Let's rewind & watch it again!" lol Made me realize what a different generation it is...!

My mother took me to the movies from the time I was quite small. The first one I can remember seeing that made an impression on me was The Beatles "Help!" For YEARS afterwards, I had dreams about Ringo's ring being stuck on my finger, & falling through trap doors into cellars with tigers pacing around.

MrsSpock said...

When I was 8 I saw the Goonies and cried inconsolably when the bad people took Chub's ice cream away and he started crying. I still cringe inwardly when I see that scene.

Kristin said...

I really love that movie and I love watching films like that through a child's eyes.

Soupy said...

I love those moments. They are just beginning for us- (with Elmo at the current moment, LOL) but I love hearing/reading this!