A few months ago, our little girl decided that Ariel was her favorite princess and that The Little Mermaid was her favorite movie. Already looking forward to the upcoming release of The Little Mermaid on Blu-ray, we were thrilled to get an early copy to review. To celebrate, I thought it would be fun to have a little movie night and make a few special treats. The star of our little party was this White Chocolate Popcorn Munch, or as we called it Mermaid Munch. Because of our busy week, that included sports practices and back to school nights, we had our movie night a little early. While the kids were at school, I mixed up the Mermaid Munch. I used a bag of White Chocolate M&M’s and separated out the purple, blue, and green candies because I thought they were the perfect Little Mermaid colors. I also made a few slice and bake sugar cookies and decorated them with purple frosting and sprinkles.
We enjoyed out treats and snuggled in to watch the movie. When the kids watch a movie, I’m usually up trying to get a few things done around the house. This means that I only see bits and pieces of the movies. This time, I decided to settle in and really watch The Little Mermaid along with them. There were so many parts I had totally forgotten about, and i just loved watching it through their eyes. Sadie is just completely charmed by Ariel, and especially loves the singing.
I have to say, Watching it again through a parent’s eyes is really different! As a young girl, I identified more with Ariel and how she wanted to follow her dreams of exploring life on land. Now, I see her father’s side of things more clearly: as a parent trying to set boundaries for his daughter to keep her safe rather than simply being over protective. As my own kids grow, I hope I can find the right balance. I’d like them to find their voice but be wise enough to know when to stop and listen.
White Chocolate Popcorn Munch
Ingredients
1 bag of microwave popcorn, popped
1 cup of white chocolate chips
White Chocolate M and M’s
Directions
Pop popcorn and remove unpopped kernels.
Lay popcorn out on baking sheet.
Mix in M and M’s.
Melt white chocolate chips according to directions on package.
Drizzle melted white chocolate over popcorn and stir to combine.
Refrigerate until white chocolate sets back up.
I’m so glad I sat down and watched this with my kiddos, we had so much fun! I’m pretty sure I’ll be planning a Little Mermaid themed birthday party soon, and this Mermaid Munch will definitely be on the menu.
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My little men are just 2 years old and 10 months old, but I see my 2 year old blossoming every day, showing me what he’s capable of. I’m trying to expose him to all the things he can learn and do by himself. He brought me two books today, which usually means “read these to me” but today, he said “mama, read book”– encouraging me to find my own book to read while he read to himself. This is a huge milestone to me as I hope he learns to love books as much as I do!
I encourage my child to follow his dreams by trying to do a variety of things with him. I want him to experience what I can provide and see where he goes from there. He is such a friendly boy and loves being with people which I think is a talent so I try to let him be around people whether it be at church, the mall playplace, the library for kids time, etc.
I love white chocolate! I love popcorn! Now, I will love them together! Yummy!
My daughter, who just turned 4 a few days ago, loves art and music so I encourage her to be creative and I have her enrolled in ballet class.
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/377175559932870656
At 4 and 6 I’m trying to introduce a lot of hobbies, sports, and careers that could spark a lifelong interest.
My oldest is really into hands-on activities so we build things with him and go to music class on the weekend.
I am a preschool teacher, so I provide tons of opportunities for dramatic play and imaginative art. I want them to see all of the possibilities out there for them. 🙂
I used to watch the little mermaid over, over and over again as a little girl. I just had my first child and she will have this movie to watch over and over again. 😀
I always tell my children that they can achieve anything with a lot of hard work.
My son likes to sing and listen to music. For encouragement I try to turn boring daily things into fun things by singing about what I’m doing or dancing around the house. I also ask him to sing songs for me sometimes, they usually are hilarious. I love to sing and I’m hoping he will continue to as he grows.
Delightful post! I love Disney!! We were frequent visitors there when my daughter was growing up. I encouraged her to follow her dreams by exposing her to everything I could. We didn’t have a lot of money, but we sure had a lot of fun adventures and learning experiences. As a single mom on a very tight shoestring, my hope was to lead by example and show her that ‘the world was her oyster’!
I encourage kids to go for their dreams and passions by supporting their ideas.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/377628421746335744
I encourage them to meet many different children and try many activities, be socialized for the real world
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/378239987520532480
We encourage our children to find their own voices through play, imagination and most importantly through showing love. My younger son has such a sense of freedom to be himself that he breaks into dance wherever he is! We want them to know they can be anything they want to be if they work hard enough and follow their dreams.
Tweeted https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/379773556982575104
I encourage them by always giving them a positive response and supporting their ideas.
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
tweet – https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/380356801122029568
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
I never tell my daughter something she wants to do is impossible. And she’s smart enough that I don’t believe anything is anyway. 🙂
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com
If God put a desire in my kids heart then who am I to tell them they can’t accomplish it? I know the Lord equipped them with the talents and skills they need to fulfill their dreams so is my job as their mom to encourage them to follow their heart and to never give up.
I love this Neiddy, thanks for sharing!
my tweet https://twitter.com/neiddy_ruiz/status/381047454684422144
Being supportive, positive and encouraging and always speaking positive words. Its so important to let them know nothing is impossible.
https://twitter.com/disneyfan40/status/381822956235534336
By making them believe they are capable of anything and everything!
lots of praise for trying
can’t wait to make these pop corns and watch little mermaid with my kids. 🙂 🙂 I always encourage my kids to try out different things, and if they like certain things more, try to learn more about it whenever they have a chance. Follow their heart and never give up in following their dreams.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/383292999880302592
amy [at] utry [dot] it
By letting them try new things but also asking them what they like and want to keep doing.
I just make sure my kids know that I will help them in any way to pursue what their dreams are.
by being encouraging and supportive of the activities they enjoy
i posted a tweet: https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/385210244047323136
We teach them to follow their dreams, that anything can happen if you love doing it and never give up on a dream
i read him stories to encourage his interests!
https://twitter.com/scg00387/status/386319304997613568
i am good listener and i love listening to my nephew dreams and likes and just getting to know him for him
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/386920154518790144
My son is grown, but I always tried to encourage him to try different things, and let him know what a special person he was/is. I also always tried to talk TO him.
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.
https://twitter.com/sohamolina/status/386994913671675904
I encourage them to try something at least once and pray to God about it.
I encourage them and give them the support they need within limits.
By encouraging them to follow their dreams
I encourage my kids through love and support. I help them achieve their dreams and stand behind them 100%
https://twitter.com/mistymarie34/status/387039362095263744
I encouraged their artistic talents with art classes.
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/387133491638726656
I always show them how their dreams are not impossible if you continue to believe and work hard!! ky_grandma40@yahoo.com
I always remind my daughter to believe in herself and then anything is possible!
By making sure that they feel supported in their decisions.
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 the kids 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/387253160844480513
I have always told my children when they were younger to follow their dreams.
I don’t have children. You should be the example for them to follow
I let my kids try new activities they are interested in, and encourage them to try their best.
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/387412638348476416
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/387577533312409600
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/387660944957923328
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 granddaughter in dance by going to her practices and recitals.
smchester at gmail dot com
I tell them that they can follow any dream in their heart as long as they ultimately work to make the world a better place.
I encourage my sons to give it their all
By encouraging them not to be afraid to try new things
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/388339232399708160
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I support them, encourage their creativity, and try to give them the best tools that they need to follow their dreams and interest.
I tell them they can do anything they set their mind to do.
White Chocolate Popcorn?! I’m in love!
I don’t have kids, but my parents always encouraged and applauded my interests. And later as a young adult, I did indeed follow my dreams 🙂
We always supported our daughter’s dreams and let her know she could do anything she put her mind to.
My daughter love dinosaurs and dragons. She wants to be a paleontologist when she ‘grows up.’ I encourage her as much as possible. We recently brought her to dinosaur world and she now pretends to be the guide who educated us on the tour. Whenever she is discouraged about school work I remind her that if she cannot read or preform math then she will not be able to account for new spices or measure bones!
https://twitter.com/Halliekaypee/status/388585339901579265
tweeeet tweet
I tell my kids they can do anything they put their minds to tanya2330@gmail.com
By allowing them to explore and discover life on their own.
I always tell my kids they can be whatever they want to be, even a doctor, astronaut, lawyer all in one
tweet https://twitter.com/hburmeister/status/388935628949176320
I encourage them to give everything a try once and if they like it then we stick with it and try to help them reach their goal or dream.
The easiest way to encourage your children to follow their dreams is to be opening to listen to what your child’s dreams are.
by providing lots of things to try and praising for effort
Unlike my parents, I let my daughter join different groups and tryout for different events. My daughter use to be a wallflower and is now very outgoing. She got this way after auditioning and starring in several plays. I encourage her by working with her in these events and by praising her work.
https://twitter.com/smilekisses/status/389287070554128384
I encourage my little great-niece by playing along with her imagination. She love to dress up like a princess every day. She wants to be one when she grows up! I help her dress up and play with her and let her know that anything is possible if we work hard enough.
zuzu.wilson(at)yahoo(dot)com
shared on twitter: https://twitter.com/Zuzuz_Petalz/status/389492766549749761
zuzu.wilson(at)yahoo(dot)com
I’ve always been her biggest cheerleader and support her in what she wants to do.
I encourage them to find the courage to persue their dreams.
I encourage her to follow her interests, she knows she can do anything she wants to through hard work. And anything that is truely something you want is worth it.
usually be getting supplies for whatever they’re interested in this week
My daughter loves Little Mermaid after all of these years- what a great message of following your dreams!
I encourage our children to try new things so they have the opportunity to discover what they really love.
i tell my daughter she can be anything she wants to be
I encourage my grandkids by giving them unconditional love and being supportive in everything they do.
I make sure both my kids know that we support them in life, no matter what, they will always have cheerleaders from me and my husband.
I encourage them to try new things and then be supportive of them in all they do
we hope that by homeschooling our kids, they will be more encouraged to follow their own dreams pryfamily5@gmail.com
tweeted https://twitter.com/pryfamily5/status/389821070561128448 pryfamily5@gmail.com
I encourage my children to follow their dreams by supporting them in all their in school and after school activities and helping suggest new activities to inspire them.
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
I Tweeted: https://twitter.com/lisalmg/status/389839403608453120
I encourage my boys to follow their dreams by reminding them of all the things they already accomplished and making sure that they understand that sometimes goals take a lot of hard work and dedication but it pays off 🙂
I may not always agree with the choices my children make, but no matter what, I support them and they know they can always count on me to be their cheerleader!
To encourage my son I tell him he can do anything he puts his mind and heart too.
https://twitter.com/AliciaJennette/status/389926393930186752
I encourage them to try something new and praise them.
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/389948224544309248
We encourage them and tell them that they can do anything they put their minds to.
im always supportive- even if i “disagree”
I currently have no children, although I very much hope that we will be blessed soon. In the mean time, I’m in school to become a teacher and plan to encourage my students to follow their dreams… I will encourage them to work on their weaknesses nicely and will definitely support them in their strengths and encourage them to truly grow within these strengths.
I try to encourage my boys through example. I always try to show them that the only thing that can hold them back is their own imagination. If they believe in something than their is always a way to make it happen they just have to want it enough to make that dream come true.
When one of the kids finds something they enjoy (and is appropriate), we foster their interest and encourage them to involve others.
I try to be very encouraging and always support them.
https://twitter.com/SkyShyskyk/status/390088409554767872
I like to share stories of inspirational people with them. Ones who have succeeded against any obstacles to live their dreams. I let them know that even someone who is the best at what they do, was not great at first try. I expose them to as many activities as possible, and make sure they give them a good try. Yet, if their heart isn’t in it- I don’t push. I make sure they don’t feel they have failed. That everyone is different, and valuable, in their own way.
I have always encouraged our children to dream big and reach for the stars. When they find something they like we all focus our attention on it as to help them follow their dreams!
Tweet-
https://twitter.com/maxfate/status/390139349691408385
Encourage them to express themselves thru art and to explain to you what they are expressing. Then support it.
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/390155100141789184
We encourage our daughter to explore many things. We include her interests in our family activities.
I encourage them to go for what they believe in
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/390169030348128256
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/390172751170134016
I don’t have kids, but I would try to support them and help them every way I could to encourage them. And help them learn more about their dreams so they can find ways to actually achieve them irl.
https://twitter.com/whatasock/status/390183478630694912
tweet ^^
I tell my kids to do whatever makes them happy.
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/390190277866307585
I plan on unschooling, letting them learn what they like and focus on their passions instead of forcing them to do things they aren’t interested in
I’m there for them trying to reach their goals. I do my best scheduling in sports/activities!
https://twitter.com/lexbaylor27/status/390204060823207937
I encourage my boys to follow their hearts and try to achieve their dreams. I let them know it’s okay to fail sometimes, because the only true failure is to never have tried.
tweet
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/390225939197468672
I don’t have children, but keeping a positive attitude always helps a lot!
https://twitter.com/electricstar/status/390255435782975488
By helping them to believe in their self and that with a lot of practice and hard work they can accomplish anything wilcarvic
[at]gmail[dot[com]]
I let them know anything is possible if they believe in it and that I believe in them and will always be behind them.
https://twitter.com/eaglesforjack/status/390284146552995841
I teach them and support them.