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...

 

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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.

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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!