This movie is a big hit with our kids. First, it was released to movie theaters on Gracie's birthday last fall. Gracie had never been to see a movie in the theater, but she really really wanted to see Frozen. She worried it would be too loud; she worried there would be too many people; she worried she wouldn't like the experience, and she worried because she didn't know what to expect. But oh how she wanted to fight that worry and see Frozen, in the theater, on her birthday, with her best friend from school! So we made plans, but we kept it casual. She knew that she could change her mind right up until we bought tickets. We had a nice lunch at her favorite restaurant, we went bowling (also something she had never done before) and had a great time with that, and her friend gave her a movie ticket, told her how much fun he had going to the theater, and helped her get excited about seeing the movie. So we went! And she was nervous, she took earmuffs in case it was too loud and she did use them a few times. She sat pretty frozen in her seat the whole time, very cautious because the theater seats didn't feel secure and steady to her, but she smiled and she laughed, and when the movie was done, she could not stop talking about it!
I feel I must mention here that, if you haven't read my previous blog posting about Gracie's anxiety, you should. That post explains how she gets literally frozen with her anxiety, and at times cannot move or speak. I think there is most definitely a special connection that she feels with this movie called Frozen, because she can relate to the fear and anxiety that Elsa deals with that causes her to react by freezing the air around her. Elsa cannot control this fear at times, so she shuts herself down and shuts herself away to protect those she loves. I think it must be like that for Gracie sometimes, in her mind, and she freezes in order to control her anxiety. After seeing Frozen just once, she was able to verbalize her understanding of Elsa's fear, and of course to ponder that she wishes she could be an ice queen and freeze everything around her!
Fast forward to March and Spring Break and the big Blu-Ray/DVD release of Frozen. Gracie saved her money and Daddy took her to Target the day it came out, and we have watched it no less than 35 times since then! The best part is, Joel loves it too! And even Dad and I can handle watching it over and over. Well, maybe me more so than Dad! Joel bought Gracie the CD soundtrack a couple weeks ago when he got a special "no-Gracie" trip to Target with mommy, and they listen to that when they aren't watching the movie. Gracie loves every song, knows every line of the movie at this point, and honestly, has learned some great lessons from this Disney gem.
My favorite of the lessons we've taken from Frozen is: Let It Go!! Not only is the song fantastic, but the words are very fitting for our Gracie-girl. Basically, Elsa is singing about not letting her fears hold her back any longer, about just being happy and comfortable being who she is, and about letting go of the past and not dwelling on it. There really is something for everyone to learn in these statements! I absolutely love listening to Gracie sing the song, even more so because I know that she looks to Elsa as a role model now; Elsa learned how to let go and not be afraid, and that encourages Gracie to work on doing that too.
If you haven't seen Frozen yet, my kids and I highly recommend it! You may not be all that excited about "another Disney princess movie", but this one really seemed different to me. The story-line wasn't based around a princess finding her true-love-prince and slaying the villain and living happily-ever-after in the castle. Rather, this movie is about the bond between sisters that cannot be shattered; about discovering your true self and allowing yourself to be comfortable and confident with you; about living in the moment. Besides which, you will not find a cuter character than the lovable snowman Olaf, and if you like nothing else about this movie, you will surely enjoy him!
And with that, I must end this now, because after all "the sky's awake, so I'm awake, so I hafta play!"...time for this momma to go enjoy her kiddos!
If you haven't seen Frozen yet, my kids and I highly recommend it! You may not be all that excited about "another Disney princess movie", but this one really seemed different to me. The story-line wasn't based around a princess finding her true-love-prince and slaying the villain and living happily-ever-after in the castle. Rather, this movie is about the bond between sisters that cannot be shattered; about discovering your true self and allowing yourself to be comfortable and confident with you; about living in the moment. Besides which, you will not find a cuter character than the lovable snowman Olaf, and if you like nothing else about this movie, you will surely enjoy him!
And with that, I must end this now, because after all "the sky's awake, so I'm awake, so I hafta play!"...time for this momma to go enjoy her kiddos!
