Aug 1, 2013

Indoor Picnics, Childhood Memories, and Winnie the Pooh


One of our family's very favorite things to do is to have an indoor picnic.

We lay out a big old blanket, gather our plates, and serve up dinner right there on the family room floor. We have been doing this on occasion since Oldest was small. Sometimes it is a special event, like movie night or a birthday. Other times it is a random Tuesday and I am too tired to set the table.

Whatever the reason, our boys really enjoy dinner served indoor picnic style.

I feel and hope that this will be a happy childhood memory for them. I also kind of hope that their future wives don't hate me when they suddenly spread out a blanket and want to have a picnic indoors with the inevitability of having to vacuum right after.

Recently, thanks to Disney, I was able to create another special childhood memory with my children while sharing one of my childhood memories. Together as a little family we sat down at our indoor picnic to watch the 30th anniversary edition of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

My Little Men had never seen the original version of Winnie the Pooh. I was kind of shocked when I realized that. Especially since I can remember so vividly watching it throughout my childhood.

We decided it was only fitting to invite my Little Mens' closest stuffed animal friends to watch the movie along with us and that the movie viewing be done via indoor picnic.

 

 


Everyone was mesmerized by the movie.

They were so captivated, in fact, that the food seemed to be forgotten. If you knew my boys, you would realize what a huge deal that is.

 


Even Bean was enthralled.


I sat there and watched them watch. I sang along, "I'm just a little black rain cloud, hovering under the honey tree. I'm just a little black rain cloud, pay no attention to little me..."

I was reminded as I watched the movie of just how touching a portrayal the movie is of childhood friendship. As an adult I could visibly recognize the childhood joy and innocence found in that movie. Plus it made me remember being that young...

...yes I can remember being young...

I remember watching and wanting to live in a tree. I remember feeling a little scared and timid like Piglet. I remember being a little frightened of the big storm, just like Pooh. I even remember wanting Rabbit to call Tigger back and tell him he can bounce. After all, isn't that what Tigger's do best?

I even remember one of my very good childhood friends (who is still a good friend today) watching with me and I can still hear her voice repeating, "Tut. Tut. Looks like rain."

This movie is so much about imagination and friendship. Both so important in childhood.

I feel I was lucky to have both in my childhood.

Good friends. Hours of using our imaginations. Grand adventures never-ending.

There were doll houses made and constructed on the piano. We choreographed and executed our very own music videos.

In elementary school, there was a small group of us (all girls) that pretended to be a bunch of grumpy old men, old man names included. We would walk around the playground all hunched over with pretend canes grumbling in a way we imagined old men should sound like.

I miss the days of unabashed imaginative play, but I feel fortunate that many of the friends I had during those carefree days of childhood I can still call friends.

Luckily now I am a momma and I have young kids who remind me daily what it is to imagine. I see them play superhero, ninja, spy, inventors, and Star Wars. They build forts. They throw parties for their stuffed animals.

I get to watch the evolution of teeny tiny friendships.

Of the human variety.

And of the furry variety.


My childhood may now be a set of memories, but now I get to witness my own children create their own memories. Helping them make their own memories might just be better than reflecting on my own.

 

For the first time The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh is being made available as a Blu-ray Combo Pack and HD Digitial on August 27th.  To learn more you can visit their website or Facebook page.

 

Now, to enter for a chance to win a $50 Visa Gift Card and a Winnie The Pooh Blu-ray Combo Pack, share with us the importance of friendship, imagination and adventure in your child's life...

 

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 8/1/2013 - 9/3/2013

Be sure to visit the Winnie The Pooh brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

107 comments:

Vicki said...

I love Winnie the Pooh! Fingers crossed...

Mami2jcn said...

Friendship, imagination and adventure are important for my children because they get to develop social skills and enjoy the fun of being a kid.

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Mami2jcn said...

tweet:

https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/363250977500971008

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

tweet - https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/363281590224293888
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com

Elena said...

It's important for children to have friends and have fun to grow sociable and happy

elena150980@yahoo.com

Courtney B said...

its important to have time as a child to dream and imagine :) makes you happy as an adult!

vanitizebaby@yahoo.com

Elena said...

https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/363301843465547778

elena150980@yahoo.com

Courtney B said...

tweet

https://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/363301345584889858

vanitizebaby@yahoo.com

clc408 said...

Using their imagination with friends develops creativity and social skills they will need as adults.

clc408 said...

Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/363385047690133505

One Frugal Girl said...

Every kid needs a buddy. Someone to learn and play with. When I think back on my own childhood most of my memories involve my best girl friends. I know my son will have similar memories as he grows with his friends.

onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com

Leigh Anne said...

What a fun post! Loved reading your memories ;). I think imagination is so important! I love to see my kids "pretending"......so cute!

Corrie- said...

Such sweet pictures of this fun family night, I love the black & white! Bet my kiddos would love some Winnie too!

bayctygrl said...

friendship, imagination and adventure are important because you need to escape and explore in your mind it helps you grow and be creative and it makes life that more interesting and everything is better with a friend

hippopurplemonkey at yahoo dot com

Kia89 said...

It’s important for kids because it helps to develop their social skills.
austma7@aol.com

susan1215 said...

Imagination is important for creativity and growing through adventures, which plays into their imagination. Friendships and building relationships is a necessary skill for all ages

s2s2 at Comcast dot net

susan1215 said...

https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/363848359448023040

s2s2 at Comcast dot net

kellyr78 said...

It important because my children learn so much by playing together and with other kids, as well as by using their imaginations. This prepares them to be productive and happy adults.

kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom

kellyr78 said...

tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/363860519297363969

kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom

sohamolina said...


They are all character building traits and therefore very important.

SStockhoff said...

I was reading through the book you made us for Christmas the other day, I just needed a trip down memory lane. It was a fun trip, anyhooo I love reading these stories of yours. The beauty of family!

kim h said...

There is nothing more important than friendships and bonds while growing up and as an adult
ky_Grandma40@yahoo.com

Tamar said...

I think it prepares them for real life experiences.
tamarsweeps-at-gmail-dot-com

peg42 said...

I feel that the importance of friendship, imagination and adventure in my kids lifes help them to develope socially and emotionally.
Thanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

Denise S. said...

These things are all important in my children's live, because it gives them confidence, fun and helps them develop and learn about the world.
lazybones344 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Adventure brings new experiences and learning to children.

rachel said...

It helps them become more aware of others and what they need -- and adventure is a key part of being a kid!

littlelatina said...

enter me thanks

edq143 at yahoo dot com

Michelle J. said...

My kid likes to have adventures with his friends. I love to see them using their imaginations to play new games and pretend.

Michelle J. said...

I tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/short624/status/364451807675678721

Barbara Montag said...

These three things are what help children to grown into emotional healthy adults.
Thank you.

barbara dot montyj at gmail dot com

Barbara Montag said...

Tweet https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/364575146943586304

Unknown said...

Kids need to experience all this to grow and become who they will be. It also helps with social skills, independence, and confidence.

deanieanderson said...

I keep my grandson, who is 1 today, 4 days a week. He is my joy! I don't have much in the form of entertainment for him. Just thought "Winnie the Pooh" would be awesome for him to watch!

Tina said...

https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/364811010357469185
tina19820115@gmail.com

Wylie said...

I love the indoor picnic idea. Am going to visit my granddaughter (3) in NC next week, and will definitely have a picnic lunch with her! I loved the Winnie the Pooh movie, too!

jlafount said...

Imagination lets you try to be people you aren't

JC said...

Friendship, imagination and adventure are impoart for my kids because they make life richer and happier.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com

JC said...

https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/364957150402981889

steve weber said...

Friendship, imagination and adventure are important for my children because they get to develop social skills and enjoy the fun of being a kid.

Unknown said...

encouraging imagination builds problem solving skills for the future

Karen said...

Friendship teaches children to value other people :)

ktgonyea at gmail dot co

Bernie Wallace said...

Friendship is important for a person to grow up and become a good person.

Emily said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Emily said...

It think all of those are valuable traits and I love that Winnie the Pooh.

StephanieC said...

he is only 8 months; so far friendship means someone new to chew on! scg00387 at yahoo dot com

StephanieC said...

https://twitter.com/scg00387/status/366770055196848130 scg00387 at yahoo dot com

David said...

friendships are important for children bc it develops relationships outside the family for a child

tiffany lane
mckenziesmom1@hotmail.com

jakiesmom said...

because the combination of the 3 of them help to form his personality. He is drawn to kids who play and imagine like himself which helps him develop strong relationships
nannypanpan@gmail.com

intime said...

all three help with social skills
\
jen gersch

intime@myself.com

Adrienne said...

friendship, imagination and adventure are very important. i remember as a child having such a great time with all 3. i loved my dolls and barbie family and i was always using my imagination. my 6 year old daughter is more imaginative with her art and drawing and her stuffed animals. she has never been big on playing with toys, dolls, barbies, etc. which i could never understand cuz i was the opposite. everyone is different though and she is artistic so that's just how she is. my 4 year old son is imaginative with his Lego Duplos and train tracks and other things he enjoys playing with. he's less artistic but still enjoys coloring also. they both love making friends at school and i'm sure as they get older they will love going on adventures :-) my daughter sure loves going on bug search adventures and looking for butterflies :-)

smilekisses said...

Friendship, imagination and adventure in your child’s life is important because it molds them to become who they are and teaches them love and acceptance.

d schmidt said...

My four year is recently learning the value of friendship and its wonderful to see his development, he has a huge imagination and we try to enhance it at every opportunity. My two year old is the one with all the sense of adventure!

mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/369807597055901697

mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

Kerry said...

Friendship, imagination and adventure are so important in a child's life because they will use all of these things throughout their entire life!
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

Kerry said...

tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/369947965252587521
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

Wanda McHenry said...

The ability to use imagination to create an adventure with their friends molds a child into a confident and well social balanced individual.

Wanda McHenry said...

https://twitter.com/myfolly/status/370066516152033281

Anna Pry said...

my kids use their imaginations to come up with adventures to enjoy with their friends

pryfamily5@gmail.com

Lisa said...

I do not have kids but friendship is very important. When I was a kid I was always with my friends, and I had a big imagination!

motioncitycutie(at)aol(dot)com

msrodeobrat said...

I think imagination is incredibly important and do whatever I can to encourage imagination through playtime.
addictedtorodeo at gmail dot com

tina reynolds said...

https://twitter.com/eaglesforjack/status/372779091985850368

Anonymous said...

Friendship, Imagination and Adventure will help a child grow and want more from life.

esldiane@gmail.com said...

Friendship and imagination play critical roles in making loving humans, as evidenced by my 27 year old's nickname is still Tigger, my other son Piglet and me mom-I'm Winnie.
Diane Baum
esldiane@gmail.com

LAMusing said...

Friendship is the lodestone in our lives. Creativity and a sense of adventure can spark a child to perform better in school, become more confidant, problem solve - and lead to an amazing adulthood.
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

ms-texas said...

Imagination helps children become creative thinkers; friendship and adventure is an essential part of life

debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com

ms-texas said...

i tweeted here: https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/373648314794651650

debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com

ms-texas said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

They're a stepping stone into adulthood, they allow the child to discover who they are. sweepmorey at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

tweeted https://twitter.com/mommysdizzy/status/373875126208458752

Erica best said...

I love when kids have adventures is takes them to places they may never see with out a imagination

Erica best said...

https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/373919700490526720

Aleksandra Nearing said...

I love that my daughter has stayed friends with her buddies from daycare throughout the year, even when they went on to different schools. They've maintained a wonderful bond.

ky2here said...

Our middle daughter personifies friendship, imagination and adventure. She sees the good in almost everyone and is an artist.

ky2here at msn dot com

ky2here said...

https://twitter.com/ky2here1/status/374326972463075329

ky2here at msn dot com

bbrittbrat1398 said...

I think they all build character and help the kids live healthy active social lives.
Brittney House BBrittBrat1398@yahoo.com

MCantu1019 said...

It helps them be good people as they mature.
MCantu1019 at aol dot com

Gina said...

It will help enrich his life and make him a better & more well rounded person.

Cassandra M said...

by reading out loud and spending time creating from nothing I can help my children open their mind star95011atyahoodotcom

Charity/CC said...

It builds character, creates a world of fun, and leads to a happy childhood.

ccboobooy at gmail dot com

DistractedMommy said...

It is so important for kids to have an imagination. As my kids grow I see how their imagination grows too! I encourage their creativity and socializing with similar friends!

shiebs24[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Friendship, imagination and adventure make a child happier and more responsible in life!

kolpin said...

fostering friendship, imagination and adventure in a child will create an adult who is caring, giving, open-minded, and non-judgmental.

kolpin4680 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I want my daughter to find happiness and with that she will need to make many friends. Her imagination is important so she can dream big.
chasingbaby at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Friendship, imagination and adventure are important for my children because they get to develop social skills

Unknown said...

The importance of friendship, imagination and adventure in your child's life never stops. Even as they grow older these precious qualities help them through good times and bad.

Emmy Coffee said...

Seeing the imagination in my three and five year old kiddos is simply amazing. Do you remember the power of imagination? "No, that dining room chair is not just a chair, Mom, it's my Corvette!" And studies have shown that a healthy imagination in children leads to better skills at coping, creativity and problem-solving as they grow up!

Emmy Coffee said...

*tweet, tweet*
https://twitter.com/emmycoffee/status/374851883321397248

Kathy P said...

https://twitter.com/klp1965/status/374878048304123904

angie lilly said...

I think that those three elements go hand in hand! With friends you find adventure using your imagination! All three are so important to having a well socialized child and a well balanced adult!
Angie
14earth at gmail dot com

angie lilly said...

I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/374887497701928960
Angie
14earth at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Friendship, imagination and adventure are important for my children to be well rounded.

pokergrl8 at gmail.com

Anonymous said...

https://twitter.com/aes529/status/374956473089945601

pokergrl8 at gmail.com

Betty C said...

Imagination helps build creative adults.

willitara [at] gmail [dot] com

Betty C said...

Tweet - https://twitter.com/willitara/status/374956943212675072

willitara [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

Friendship, imagination and adventure are some of the most important things in my sons' lives- they mean that not only are my boys developing their creative and social skills- but they are more importantly enjoying their childhood years :)

KrazeKatLady said...

It is important for kids to learn these skills for success in life.

krazekatlady at gmail dot com

KrazeKatLady said...

Tweeted https://twitter.com/happeegirl/status/374962065070231552

krazekatlady at gmail dot com

saturdaynightfever said...

The little one already has quite the vivid imagination!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

slehan said...

Friendship, imagination and adventure are all important for kids (and adults, too) We take a daily hike around the lake and see what adventures we can have.
Thanks for the contest.

slehan at juno dot com

slehan said...

https://twitter.com/slehan/status/374991629414703104

slehan at juno dot com

Unknown said...

Its very important that my kids have fun with there imagination and go on fun adventures with there good friends.

rounder9834 @yahoo.com

Unknown said...

https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/375000154337574914

rounder9834 @yahoo.com

bettycd said...

Friendship is so important all thru life. Friendship, imagination and adventure sounds like what a child needs to grow up happy and find what they are passionate about.
tjandbcd at optonline dot net

bettycd said...

tweeted
https://twitter.com/bettycd/status/375011597426515969
tjandbcd at optonline dot net

Ashley Morrissey said...

Friendship, imagination and adventure are the three best things when you’re a child. Friendship for when you’re feeling lonely. Imagination for when you’re feeling bored. Adventure for when you’re feeling a little..well, adventurous! ;)

-Ashley Marie Morrissey
ashummz05(at)yahoo(dot)com

Vanessa said...

It helps them become creative and kind adults.
momlovesdeals at gmail dot com

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