I was recently tagged by Larabee in the Disney Tag which was originally created by Blogger Mumma. I don't often partake in memes and tagging posts, but I'm a Disney fanatic that grew up on the brand and its ethos and this one sounded like fun. How could I pass up on being requested to answer a few questions? I'm going to avoid using actual Disney images and photograph some pages from my old sketch book to match my answers wherever possible, so any images you see are my own.

1. Favourite Disney Film?

The Lion King is definitely my favourite film. It's practically faultless and has it all... great characters, great songs, great story and some stunning cinematography. It's one of Disney's major successes and it's not difficult to see why. I've watched it over and over and still enjoy it now.

2. Favourite Disney Character?

Stitch! I love Stitch and how he breaks the mould on all things Disney. He's naughty, cheeky and hilarious in all that he does. Definitely a fun and loveable little guy.

3. Favourite Disney Princess?

At least of the original group of Disney Princesses, my favourite is Belle from Beauty in the Beast. She broke the mould and was feminist, head strong, courageous and not looking to fall for a Prince at all. She was more mature, independent and less blandly asexual than the previous so called Princess characters. Plus she starred in another very good movie.

4. Favourite Disney Sidekick?

Timon and Pumba from The Lion King are a classic double act that went on to have their own movie and tv series, but Timon is one of my favourite characters of all time (let alone favourite side kick). His sarcasm fits my sense of humour perfectly.

5. Favourite Disney Song?

This is an incredibly tough question, because there are so, so many. The Lion King, Little Mermaid, Jungle Book and more recently The Princess & The Frog are loaded with hit after hit. High School Musical, The Aristocats and Frozen all have catchy numbers on their soundtracks. It's tough to pick a favourite, but if pushed I think I would surprise a few by picking Part Of Your World from The Little Mermaid.

6. Which Disney Character Would Be Your Best Friend?

I think I'd have a lot of fun in the presence of Baloo from The Jungle Book. A fun loving bear, with a laid back attitude and an appetite for good food, good fun and good music. He also proved his loyalty to his friends and protective nature when he rescued Mowgli from the band of kidnapping monkeys mid movie, and by taking on Shere Khan the tiger towards the end of The Jungle Book.

7. Who Would Be Your Disney Pet?

I struggled with this one. Initially I thought of Abu from Aladdin, but I don't think I could put up with the mess a monkey might create. Then I thought of Remy from Ratatouille and utilising his knowledge of all things culinary, but I can't stand rats. What about Nemo from Finding Nemo I thought? A fish is easy to keep... but perhaps not one that was desperate to escape the tank. So I settled on Bolt. A dog is a realistic option, and Bolt is as beautiful looking, well trained and loyal as any real dog I've known.

8. Have You Ever Been To Disneyland?

Many times! I have fond memories of Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida throughout my later childhood. I've also returned as an adult, and have been a total of 5 times... spending in excess of 40 days there in my lifetime so far. I'm a shareholder at Disneyland Paris and have been there 4 times so far, spending around 20 days there in total. I'm yet to take my own children to either park, but it's right at the top of my bucket list to do so when they are a little older.

9. Who Is Your Disney Alter Ego?

I'm pretty good at character assassination, but no so much when it comes to myself so I decided to search for an online quiz that would tell me the answer. Apparently, I'm most like Mickey Mouse... a strong leader, that knows how to joke and have fun but can get serious when needed. I'll take that.

10. Who Is Your Favourite Disney Villain?

I love the villains, but I definitely favour Scar from The Lion King. Not just because it's my favourite film, but because he is genuinely such a well written character. Voiced by Jeremy Irons, he is full of sarcasm and arguably the most interesting character in the cast. He reminds me of many of the famous dictators the world has seen over the years, yet strangely you can't help but root for him from time to time.

11. Do You Collect Anything Disney Wise?

I have to admit that I collect most things Disney. Besides a large DVD and ornament collection, I also collect Disney park mementos, pins and practically anything else with that Disney stamp on it. I'm particularly fond of Disneyworld memorabilia from the time of its 25th anniversary, which was taking place the first time I ever visited.

12. What Disney Film Would You Star In If You Could?

The Lion King without question. I spent 2 weeks touring Kenya in 2007 and witnessed Africa and all of it's slendour and natural beauty. I'd star in The Lion King just to see the sun set over those open African plains again at the drop of a hat.

13. How Old Were You When You Watched Your First Disney Film?

I have no idea whatsoever, but the first Disney film that I can recall watching was The Little Mermaid via a rental copy from the local VHS renting shop (remember those?). The first Disney film I remember owning as my own outright (I have a brother and sister that I usually shared all films with) was Peter Pan.

14. What Do You Love About Disney?

Disney provides the ultimate fairy tale... whether it's in a story, on screen or in one of their parks. It's a continuous happy ever after. As a child, it seems magical, safe and plays on the beauty of your young imagination. As an adult, it has the ability to take you back to that safe and happy place... triggering memories, and replacing all of the bad in the world for that brief period. Disney IS childhood and your childhood is the only place that you're sheltered enough to smile without reservation. Disney makes me feel like that child again.

15. Who Is Your Favourite Disney Couple?

My favourite Disney couple is Rapunzel and Flynn Rider frin Tangled. It wasn't the typical love at first sight story, they went on a Bonnie and Clyde style journey together and they both made sacrifices for eachother at the end of the movie. I like the fact that Rapunzel is feisty and keeps him on his toes and has him pandering after her (something he seemingly hadn't had to do before).

So that's my Disney tag meme. You've learnt a little about me, my childhood and my opinion on all things Disney. Were you or are you Disney mad? Should they wish to partake, then I tag...

TwinMummyandDaddy

MinMon Detectives

Purple Pumpkin

Running in Lavender

I haven't written a letter to my son since before  he  was born, and before the blog was relaunched and really took off. He turned 2 years old last week. 2 years old! Where has the time gone? I decided to write him a letter...

----------------------------------------------------

Dearest Clayton,

I don't think I fully appreciated how fast time passes until I became a Father to you and your sister. We've just celebrated your second birthday, and I honestly can't wrap my head around how fast those 2 years have come and gone. Your second birthday really drilled home to me that you're no longer a baby but a growing little boy and yet I feel as though I didn't even get the chance to get used to you being my baby. You growing up is so bitter sweet, and I just wish that time would slow down for a while. I'm so afraid of missing something. It seems like yesterday that we were in the hospital getting to know eachother.

Your first 2 years have been eventful to say the least, and perhaps that's played its part in how fast time seems to have flown by. You've flown on an aeroplane 10 times already and been on 4 UK based holidays on top of those foreign ones. We sold the house you first lived in, bought a new one and now live in a different country altogether. Most importantly though, you became a big brother too. You kind of grew up overnight when your sister was born I'm afraid, and sometimes I feel bad for bringing a new baby into the family so soon after you'd claimed that mantle. As cliche as it sounds, you'll still always be our baby though and watching your relationship develop with Alice has been my favourite thing of these last couple of years. You're a fantastic big brother! The way you obviously care for your baby sister, show affection, protect, play and teach makes me smile from ear to ear, and makes my heart smile even more.

Our relationship has been a hit since day 1 and I'm thankful for that, as many Fathers don't bond with their children until later into their childhood (me and Alice had a much rockier start). In fact, our relationship is improving all of the time; and it's evolving too. You used to love me singing and reading to you; you used to love cuddles in bed and games in the bath. Now you love rough housing, being silly and helping me cook. One thing that's never changed though is how your face lights up when you see me, or your giggle of excitement when you're anticipating Daddy doing something fun or silly. You still love to cuddle, and be read to but we're much less restricted nowadays and have many other ways of bonding.

You're changing all of the time as you develop and grow into childhood. You're running and climbing now and talking more all the time. You've already advanced to calling my Daddy instead of Dada - that in itself is bitter sweet. I don't want you to grow too fast. You're not the only one that has been changing by the way. So am I. The challenges you've been presenting us with as parents have been getting tougher and you're doing a fantastic job at keeping me on my toes. I try my best to be a good Father to you but I'm blessed to have your Mother at my side steering our course. They say that parenthood is the toughest journey you embark on, and it's proving to be true and with a steeper learning curve than even I anticipated, but your smile when you see me each morning makes it entirely worth it. Your smile is the most amazing thing; the way that your eyes light up with it is enough to brighten even the darkest days. 

2 years old already? Sitting reflecting and writing this letter has me focused ont he time that has passed and it's still baffling me. It's been a challenging, tiring, emotional, educational and busy 2 years but 2 that I will cherish forever. I'm excited for what's to come. I'm not saying that life is going to slow down or be less busy but I hope that I can learn to slow down. I want to spend the next year being a little less extravagant, a little less focused on work and be a lot more aware and focused on the smaller things in life. I consider myself to already be an active and involved Father, but I want to be more so. I used to say my only fears were the ocean and failure. I'm now scared of watching you and your Sister grow up and leave home, only to find myself regretting not being around enough and missing the small, ordinary moments of your childhood. I never want you to be able to think of me as being anything other than 100% commited. You, your Sister and Mother are my priorities in life and I love you all more than I could ever express. 

My son... continue to grow, but take your time doing so and remember to show me that smile as often as you can. Never ever forget that Daddy loves you - not just today but every day! Happy Birthday. I love you.

Daddy

xxx