Mermaid vs the Beast

I seem to be in the minority in my opinions of "The Little Mermaid" and "Beauty and the Beast". Virtually everyone likes "Beast" the best (including, apparently, the Academy), but so few people mention "Mermaid". I like Mermaid better, though probably Beast "is" better. I like a Mermaid for the story, which I think is much more accessible that the Beast story is, at a (my) personal level. The "growing up, and taking your own course despite your parents' ideas" story hits me from both sides, as I remember too well the clash of my own separation, and I fear so the upcoming (all too soon) separation of my own girls.

And, I think the songs from Mermaid whup Beast's, too. The obvious fun of "Kiss the Girl" and "Under the Sea" stand on their own, but, further, I honestly can't hear (or sing) the lines, " ...bet they don't reprimand their daughters, bright young women, sick of swimmin', ready to stand... " without choking and misting up. ('Course, I have the same problem with "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas", verse 2 and 3, but that's just our little secret, OK? I'm really turning into a sentimental old softy here in my 40's...)

The Princess Song

I get these ideas, and then I can't *not* try to make 'em happen.

At the Indian Princess campouts, the last night is "Campfire Night", where all the tribes (10 tribes, 10-15 girls per) get up and entertain the rest of the Nation. We, as the newest tribe, didn't have to go up at the last campout, but we will next time. Most of the other tribes did skits, some sang a song, and one lip-synched to "MIB".

Anyway, because we're a new tribe, all our girls are young - all but a few are in kindergarten. None are brave enough to carry off a skit, I think, so I proposed singing a song -- in unison. But with such young ones, there are hardly any songs that they know beyond "Mary" and "Twinkle". With a leap of faith, I figured they might be able to learn "Puff, the Magic Dragon", and I could play it on the guitar. Then came the "where'd that come from" part -- I volunteered to make it more interesting by rewriting the lyrics to make it into an Indian Princess song. It turned out to be non-trivial, but I managed to get two verses and a chorus together. I emailed the new lyrics to the other dads (most have email) so they can teach them to their girls before the campout. I also found and pointed out the web location of a "Puff" MIDI file, so they can play it for the kids a few (dozen?) times to teach them the tune. I might decide to try to turn it into a whole nation sing-along (with pass-out lyric sheets). We'll see how it goes.

Xmas tree '97

I managed to have enough energy after the kids went to bed last night to get the lights onto the tree. So, tonight, presumably, we'll let the kids put on the decorations. This morning, I picked Acacia up out of her crib and carried her out to see it (lit up, and in the dim morning room). Her face just washed over with pure joy. Mouth fell open, eyes got wider and wider. Then she just started laughing, and squirming to get down and run up closer to it.

Geneva, at six, was a little less overwhelmed, but still, she went straight in, got a blanket, and sat on the floor, just Being Near It -- she sat and read lyrics out of my Guitar Book of Christmas Songs. We all feel the spirit in our different ways, I suppose.

Our First Princess Campout

Since we just joined Indian Princesses last week, our new tribe couldn't get it together to go to this first campout of the year, so Geneva and I hooked up with the Chippewas.

The campout was terrific and terrible in turns. Geneva and I left home Friday afternoon, had a nice dinner in a Chino restaurant, and arrived at the campground a little after dark. We pitched the tent (Geneva had a great time hammering stakes) and off she went with the even dozen little girls of the Chippewa tribe, giggling and screeching like they'd known each other all their lives.

Geneva loved it, hanging with older girls (up to 8 -- she's just 5), learning age-inappropriate games, songs and jokes. They spent some time playing "Double Dare" ("OK, go up to my dad, shake his hand, and yell "Peekaboo!") after the exhausting game of Freeze Tag.

We got in the sleeping bags around 10:30 (2 hours after Bedtime!) and read some "Hobbit". Then the bad part starts -- in the middle of the night, the Santa Ana winds came up, hard. Somehow my old, thin, "summer tent" stood up all night, but the buffeting woke us up several times during the night. Next morning, as the guys were trying to make breakfast, a gust came through and blew the iron skillets full of bacon right off the propane stove! Needless to say, Saturday was pretty miserable, but, kids are flexible -- they spent most of the day (after the Nature Hike in the wind) playing in one of the vans.

After lunch, there was an attempt at a Program -- they had some Real Live Indians showing us their crafts, and talking about their customs, clothes, food, etc. And there was a Storyteller that the kids really liked. Tough in the 30 mph wind, though.

After the program, I started to feel pretty lousy -- to spare the ugly details, I had come down with a 24(ish) hour stomach flu (as did my wife back home). I toughed it out until after dinner, but couldn't manage any more than that. We drove home, Geneva asleep, and me pulling off every third exit to find a fast-food joint to throw up in.

Anyway, it was great while it lasted. Geneva had a great time, and gave me incredible grief for dragging her out of there early. It can only get better from here.