05.25.12
In the beginning, I tried to keep Noah away from the TV. Partly because that’s what I was “supposed” to do, and partly because I didn’t want to taint his pure, uninfluenced imagination.
But then he heard The Hot Dog Song from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on YouTube (because apparently YouTube clips didn’t count?), and it became the first “kid” song that he loved. More than that, he was inexplicably drawn to Mickey — except he called him “hot dog” because, strangely, “hot dog” was one of the first phrases he could say, and who was Mickey Mouse? (Funny side note: We took 20-month-old Noah to a Halloween party where a 6-ft. Mickey Mouse scared the living crap out of him, and he woke up in the middle of the night sobbing “HOT DOG, HOOOOT DOG!”)
So much of who he is right now is songs and role play and imagination. Performing. And as much as he loves books, the lyrics and scripts that he repeats and expands on can always be linked back to a movie or TV show.
His fell in love with Winnie The Pooh characters early on, which inspired countless of my own original bedtime stories, and continues to inspire his artwork choices and adorable phrases (like when he walks outside on a cloudy day and says “Tut tut, looks like rain!”).
It was Sleeping Beauty‘s three good fairies who sparked his ongoing fascination with wands, magic, and everything that comes with wands and magic. Cinderella (every version ever made) solidified his love.
Toy Story single-handedly launched a million reenactments to infinity and beyond. (He has about four or five Buzz Lightyears, which can be found on him almost as often as a wand. And how awesome are his cardboard Buzz Lightyear wings that Justin whipped up?)
So when I was asked to join Disney Baby, of course my answer was yes. As much as I planned to avoid all kinds of mainstream characters and TV shows, Disney truly has been at the center of so much of Noah’s magic. It’s undeniable. He doesn’t sit in front of the television all day mindlessly watching cartoons, but he does use those characters and story-lines as jumping off points for his own imaginative adventures. (True story: His favorite show is Doc McStuffins on Disney Junior, and it was the only thing that got him over his fear of the doctor. He regularly walks around the house with a play stethoscope dangling around his neck, asking me to diagnose his toys’ ailments.)
Disney brought magic into his life, and for that I’m grateful.
You’ll find more of my product picks over on Disney Baby, as well as more pregnancy advice and mom-to-mom tips (in addition to Babble.com and right here, of course). And I’ll be joining a fantastic team with some of my favorite bloggers:
This post is sponsored by Disney Baby. I’ll be joining the Disney Baby blogging team next month, and look forward to sharing these kinds of stories (projects/ideas/etc) with you over there! Stay tuned for more details!
16 Comments to Magical Moments, New Adventures
Tiny Blue Lines
May 25, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Congrats on the new venture Michelle! Boy I wish I could be more like you!
Jeanne
May 25, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Congrats mama!!!
Melissa
May 25, 2012 at 12:16 pm
That’s awesome! LIttle S LOVES mickey mouse clubhouse too. And anything Mickey. We taught him the sign in sign language for Mickey and he does it every time hes on the screen.
congrats on your new adventure!!!
Liann
May 25, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Congrats, Michelle! Your empire expands
Nikki
May 25, 2012 at 12:25 pm
I love this!
Jenna
May 25, 2012 at 12:29 pm
my 4 yr old LOVES Doc McStuffins! there is one about staying hydrated , and on a hot day she walks around saying “Mommy, i need some water in my cup so i stay dehydrated ” lol so cute
michellehorton
May 25, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Thank you, Chaunie!
Fingers crossed for your book deal!!!
michellehorton
May 25, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Thank you! And thanks again for The Stir recommendation!
michellehorton
May 25, 2012 at 12:32 pm
That’s too cute. That Hot Dog Song is so darn catchy!
michellehorton
May 25, 2012 at 12:33 pm
hahaha thank you liann! Let’s get together soon! I want to see that new little man again.
michellehorton
May 25, 2012 at 12:35 pm
I really like Doc McStuffins! The last time we were at the doctor for a checkup, Noah said “I think you have some magic in that stethoscope” when the doctor walked in.
Catherine
May 25, 2012 at 1:06 pm
I’m so excited that you’ll be blogging for Disney Baby, but I’m even more excited about what you said regarding Noah’s imagination. Your experience mirrors mine perfectly. We were anti-TV but somehow it creeped in and Molly (my two-year-old) is head-over-heels for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, so much so that it is the basis of all of her pretend play. Just this morning, the first thing I heard from her while she was still in her crib was a “conversation” with Goofy. I had been worrying about this a lot lately, as though this would hinder her personal creativity, so your post was just what I needed to hear. She watches one, maybe two, episodes a day; she’s not drowning in TV. And her affection for the Clubhouse gang will not kill her creativity. Thank you for the reminder and reassurance!
Debbie Ambrosino
May 25, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Congratulations, Michelle!!
Adrienne
May 25, 2012 at 4:04 pm
I love your son’s imagination! And you support of it too
Brandy
May 25, 2012 at 4:48 pm
Congrats Michelle!!!
michellehorton
May 26, 2012 at 2:22 am
Thanks everyone!