Jill loves all things The Little Mermaid.
She loves the songs, the fish, the crabs, the ride at Disneyland…but above all else, she loves Ariel.
That red headed princess is her favorite. It’s the princess she gets most excited about, the movie that makes her bounce up and down excitedly when we put it on. In fact, I will contend that there is just about nothing cuter than hearing Jill try to sing “Part of that woooooooorllllldd…..”
Also, she can do a pretty killer dance move when Under the Sea comes on.
The other day, I wandered into a Disney Store in the mall. I really don’t even know why I did. I mean, we have annual passes to Disneyland, so we’ve seen it all before…besides, let’s be honest, my kids need another ANYTHING like they need a hole in the head.
Even still, when I saw this little plush Ariel doll, I immediately gasped and clutched it to my chest as if I had found the lost treasure of Tutankhamen or something equally dramatic. As I stood in line to pay, I thought to myself “Why on EARTH am I buying this?” The girls have millions of dolls, gazillions of toys. In fact, if I’m being super honest with myself, if this was something Henry or Lucy was asking for, I would have said no without a second thought. And yet, here I am, waiting my turn to pay money for something simply because it’s Jill’s favorite. And I kept thinking this through…mulling it over…trying to figure it out…because, so you know, my brain is always and forever thinking and mulling over SOMETHING. It never stops. Ever.
Mama Guilt creeping in at the thought that not only was I not also buying something for the others…but I would tell them to take a hike if they begged for a toy. Was Jill secretly my favorite? What the heck?
And then it dawned on me. Jill is non-verbal. Truth be told, there’s a lot we don’t know about her.
In fact, we don’t even know what her favorite color is.
Henry adores all things green. And there is no such thing as Too Much Pink for Lucy. Actually, if Sparkle was a color, that would be Lu’s fave.
But for Jill, she can’t tell us which is her favorite color. And honestly, that realization, that I don’t even know what color my four-year-old daughter loves most…just killed me inside. Knife. Twisting. Heart.
Such a simple everyday thing that you take for granted. I about lost it in the middle of the Disney Store. I did that thing where you hold your breath, nonchalantly wipe tears, and recreate Lamaze breathing. It was a harsh reality to suddenly discover. It put her needs and disabilities in perspective in that moment.
Don’t even get me started on the fact that I have yet to hear her say “I love you, Mommy.” I know she does. And she snuggles and kisses in a way that is undeniably Love. But the words…I cannot wait. I hope I get to hear them someday. It will be an awesome day.
“Mommy I love you. And by the way, my favorite color is blue.”
But you know what? You know what we DO know? We know she loves Ariel.
Sebastian. Flounder. Scuttle. Even King Triton.
I may not know what my girl’s favorite color is, but I know who her favorite character is. And you know what else? Maybe that means I’m a sucker for all things Little Mermaid. Maybe that means I jump up and down, cheering and clapping, looking like a fool outside of the Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. Maybe that means I’m seriously considering buying the movie soundtrack and playing it on loud for my girl. I don’t really care.
Because this? These little arm gestures when Ariel is singing? Copying her movements. Humming along.
This grin. Rapt attention. Smiles. Ariel may have exchanged her voice for a boy…but my girl is showing us her voice in a different way.
And I love that we get to figure it out. Together.
* * * *
All of these things are true.
In fact, this was a post brewing in my brain for a few weeks now.
So imagine how quickly I jumped at the opportunity to tell my readers that Disney’s The Little Mermaid is being re-released for the first time on Blu Ray and HD Digital on October 1st. Planets = aligned. But there’s more!
Leave a comment in this post telling me “How do you encourage your children to follow their dreams?” (even if you have to interpret what those dreams might be!), and one winner will be selected to win a $50 Visa Gift Card and a Little Mermaid Diamond Edition Blu-ray Combo Pack.
I mean, really?
That’s pretty awesome.
Besides, if Jill loves it…it’s gotta be good.
Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “”#SweepstakesEntry””; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post”
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 9/9/13 – 10/15/13.
Be sure to visit the Disney’s Little Mermaid page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!
Latest posts by jeannett (see all)
- Dirt in a Jar, Laundry Scientists, and Clean Water - October 20, 2015
- Because Cake. - October 11, 2015
- How to design a luxury bathroom for less - August 12, 2015
lots of praise for trying
Your little mermaids are adorable. Love the message from the Little Mermaid. :) I always encourage my kids to never give up, follow their heart and their dreams.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy Tong´s last blog post ..Din Tai Fung Restaurant Review
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/383293617961332736
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy Tong´s last blog post ..Din Tai Fung Restaurant Review
Giving them lots of encouragement to try new things!
I just make sure my kids know that I will help them in any way to pursue what their dreams are.
Reminding them that they can be whatever they want, and to try their best!
by being supportive and encouraging them in their activities
i posted a tweet: https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/385556580013723648
We let them know we are always there for them no matter what they do, to always follow their dreams and what makes them happy
I read lots of stories to encourage his interests!
https://twitter.com/scg00387/status/386317983376621568
I help my nephew be him self but loving him for self and not turning him i want him to be
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/386920538091708418
My son is grown now, but when he was young I tried to always encourage him and listen to him and tell him how unique he was/is.
I don’t have kids, but I encourage my niece by telling her how smart and beautiful she is and that she can do anything she sets her mind to.
austma7@aol.com
By being supportive of their likes and dreams and providing them the path to follow them in.
I encourage them to try something at least once and pray to God about it.
By encouraging them to follow their dreams.
I give them the support and encouragement to do whatever they’d like but I impose limits so they know which way is the right path and that they don’t overstep.
I give him positive reinforcement when he gets discouraged.
I try to support my child in whatever she dreams by providing encouragement, and any help that I can. We also talk often about how hard work is what makes dream come true.
I encourage my kids through love and support. I help them achieve their dreams and stand behind them 100%
Misty Battle´s last blog post ..Mary Kay Giveway
https://twitter.com/mistymarie34/status/387038788746485760
Misty Battle´s last blog post ..Mary Kay Giveway
I encourage my kids to follow their dreams by supporting their ideas and the things they want to do. We work together to find a way to make the things happen that they want. At the same time, we instill realistic limits. We can’t fly into today, but if we study hard and work at it, we can get into NASA in the future and fly to space then :) You can have what you want, you just have to find a way to make it happen :)
Tweeted :) – https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/387132912388153344
I always show them how their dreams are not impossible if you continue to believe and work hard!! ky_grandma40@yahoo.com
I encourage my kids to follow their dreams by reminding them that nothing worth having ever comes easy.
Jen V´s last blog post ..5 Minute Handmade Project Life Cards for Autumn
I encourage my girls to follow their dreams by giving them the tools and some freedoms to do so. Also, I follow my dreams to show them no matter how old you get, it’s not too late.
I always remind my daughter to believe in herself and then anything is possible!
By making sure that they feel supported in their decisions.
With a special needs son I appreciate your blog today very much! Understanding our children takes a different method of discovery. With our son it is what makes him sing or cheer. If he wants to be a robot then whatever cardboard, pipe cleaners and tape are needed, that is what we will get him. He celebrates for days!! And as a result he believes he can do anything!!
I encourage them to follow their dreams by signing them up for activities they are interested in, and letting them know they can pursue anything they want to
I encourage my kids to follow their dreams by letting them try new things any chance I can and talking about what they are learning if they feel like they aren’t succeeding.
I encourage them at a young age to try new things.
And I tell them that all things are possible.
Thank you.
Tweet https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/387247577390784513
I encourage them by telling them of their awesome skills and bragging of their abilities
I tell them they can achieve anything if they set their mind to it.
I have always told my children when they were younger to follow their dreams.
I let my kids try new activities they are interested in, and encourage them to try their best.
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/387411829242085376
I try to encourage my daughter to follow her dreams by setting an example. Thanks for the giveaway!
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/BigsyBlimpers/status/387490302602141696
I encourage new ideas.
I try to provide my children with lots of opportunities to try different things.
I always wanted to be a doctor and unfortunately due to my parent’s illness I had to go to work and help support the family and my dream of becoming a physician was lost. I have encouraged my kids to follow whatever dreams they may have, to be focused and anything is possible if you work hard and be consistent in your behavior to do what you always wanted to do. I lead by example and I am currently enrolled in school to get my degree and hopefully med school will be in my future.
I tweeted here:
https://twitter.com/sufferngal/status/387576896499642368
I may have typed my email incorrect: Sorry
correct e-mail is: iemmafamily@yahoo.com
I encourage my children to follow their dreams by showing them love and support. :)
I encourage their interests and tell them they can do anything they set their minds to.
I encourage my sons to follow their hearts and dreams