Mickey & Minnie Took Us on a Magical Journey

Charlie Gamble — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 09:00:00 GMT

Who’s the leader of the club that’s made for you and me?
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!!

Photos: Charlie Gamble / iParent
That’s right! Last week at the St. Pete Times Forum fans were treated to a spectacular showing of Disney on Ice Presents Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey.

I got an unexpected call mid week offering me a four pack of tickets for me to take my family to enjoy the show and I was both excited and apprehensive about the opportunity. While it had been years since I had seen an ice skating show live myself I would love to share this experience with my children. I was not sure my mohawk-wearing, Metallica-loving, Dungeons and Dragons playing, X-Box 360 boys would be willing to endure a night of Mickey and Minnie Mouse with their dear old mom and dad.

For many parents making this announcement to their children would likely bring forth squeals of excitement and joy. Not exactly what I would expect in my house.

Let’s remember, my sons are twelve and eight. I fully expected the 12-year-old to feign some illness to get out of having to go with us and was not sure how my eight-year-old son would react but he is usually up for anything new, especially if it involves a nice dinner as well. To my surprise my oldest began to jump up and down with excitement and spent the entire day at school on Friday telling all of his friends he was going to see Mickey Mouse on ice that Saturday night. My youngest complained all night, all day and the entire car ride there that he just could not understand why we were making him go and if he had to go we should have to buy him something to make it worthwhile.

We arrived at the Forum about an hour before the show and found parking in the garage. While walking to the Forum we saw lots of young children dressed in princess dresses, Tinker Bell costumes, Mickey and Minnie Mouse ears and little black leotard outfits, even some grownups donned their own versions of their favorite characters as well. (I admit, I wore my pink Tinkerbell tee shirt too). It was such a precious sight to see these tiny little faces all lit up with excitement. I looked towards my sons and to my surprise; they were lit up as well. Thank goodness, this might not be so bad after all.

After checking out all of the hats, lights and other souvenir items the boys chose a few Stitch (from Lilo and Stitch) items and we found our seats third row from the ice. (You know I must toss in here that Disney must have had the same idea regarding age as I did because they really didn’t have much selection in wearable souvenirs beyond a five-year-old size). My youngest very quickly went from excited back to bored and a bit cranky. We had eaten before we arrived and now suddenly every snack that passed had to be his. The giant icy brain that bulged from his Stitch cup was shedding all over the floor in front of us and he was about to lose his cool just as the announcement came, “Ladies and Gentlemen, the show will begin in three minutes!” Whew! The lights went down and his eyes got big!! And I have to say at this point is, Mickey and Minnie brought the magic.

The show lasted a good hour and a half with about a 15 minute intermission and even that was fun because who doesn’t like to watch a zamboni at work? I not only enjoyed some fantastic skating and entertainment but watched my boys light up like Christmas trees with smiles and eyes so wide and bright with joy. I heard my youngest say over and over this is fantastic, this is more amazing than I thought it would be. I am glad you made me come. I never thought it would be this amazing. I don’t think I heard two words out of my oldest. He stared at the rink with a smile the entire show.

I have to admit I don’t think I would have gone out of my way to purchase tickets to this show out of speculation that my children had outgrown this phase of cartoons and would not have been interested in Mickey Mouse anymore. I may have even declined the offer to use them when they were offered at no cost. I don’t think I will in the future. Experiences like these enrich us in ways we cannot explain. We may go and find we disliked the experience all together. But what if we discover that we needed this bit of fantasy and make believe? Those flashing moments of Peter Pan telling us to believe in Tinker Bell and save her from the poisoned milk and the entire audience obediently clapping in unison… these moments can bring so much magic, hope and faith into our hard, real and sometimes lonely world. I know that the magical journey my family took last night left us with hours of laughter and stories to share as well as photos and memories that we will cherish for years to come. Thank you Mickey Mouse! You’ve done it again.

My mommy wears 'combat boots'

Charlie Gamble — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 09:00:00 GMT

Oh, the joys of parenthood. I can recall it as if it were yesterday, the elation of seeing that little pink line appear on the stick that told me I was indeed pregnant with my first son after years of being told I could not conceive a child. Years of trying and failing had led my husband and I to believe our only option would be adopting a child. The only thought in our minds at that time were the joys of holding onto the little bundle of joy. Since we were both employed with careers outside of our home I immediately began to make arrangements with my employer to bring my job home with me to enable me to spend at least the first year at home with my newborn child. They willingly obliged, hoping that I would return to their office once my tyke was toddler age. Nine months later I bid them farewell and headed to Morton Plant to deliver my little miracle.

Time seemed to fly by that year and before we knew it our little boy was crawling and not very long after walking. His first birthday was both a joyous occasion and a frightening milestone. It meant he was old enough for enrollment in daycare.

We quickly felt those sweet, loving thoughts of comfort being pushed aside to make way for the true terrors of being a parent and having to allow this precious, innocent, little person to leave our safe and nurturing arms and walk out the door into the world where we would not be able to see, hear or speak to him for hours on end each day. To think of entrusting his care and guidance to another person besides ourselves was just unheard of. Who, besides ourselves, could ensure that our little man would be cared for in the way we had done for so long. On nearly every block there were schools and centers that everyone else had sent their children to for years and years. Facilities and homes that operated under the supervision of the State of Florida and the licensing authority of Pinellas County were thriving and boasted no vacancy on their marquees and some even proclaimed to have year-long waiting lists that you had to sign up for. The picture was painted so beautifully for the naked eye to see. But my eye was not naked, it had been educated.

During my nine months of pregnancy and the year of my son’s life I had read and watched and absorbed any piece of literature, news story, internet posting, you name it… that had to do with child care. All of our family lived out of state. Most of our friends, associates, neighbors and companions did not have children. Those that did all had children well beyond preschool or elementary school age so I set upon a quest to investigate any childcare facility that fit my demanding list of requirements first hand. That meant I would have to take a job at the facility and experience the quality of care first hand.

I’ll spare you the details of that ordeal at this point. If you care to know more, feel free to ask. Let’s just say I made a decision rather quickly to resign my position with the company that employed me and obtain my child care license in Pinellas County. I have operated a home child care business successfully in Pinellas County for more than ten years now and I must say I don’t regret the decision for a minute.

I have had many jobs in my lifetime. My prior occupations include Marine, journalist, photographer, customer service supervisor, waitress and receptionist (just to name a few) but one title I hold dearest to my heart is Home Child Care Provider. In addition to the honor that comes with the title of United States Marine, knowing that through my work as a dedicated provider I have touched the lives of so many families and their children gives me so much pride.

Being a mother is a full time job and I am fortunate to have been able to share my time and energy with the many families and children that have graced my home with their presence over the years. I look forward to the many that will continue to visit me in the years to come. Although my sons (yes I have two sons now) are school age now, I continue my adventures as a provider with the same zest for a better future for all of our children. They deserve it.

Charlie's Angels Blog - Parents

Mickey & Minnie Took Us on a Magical Journey

Who’s the leader of the club that’s made for you and me? M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!!

My mommy wears 'combat boots'

Who’s the leader of the club that’s made for you and me?
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!!