Life Lessons

A major life lesson was reinforced for my daughter (and us) this past weekend.

Radio Disney was conducting one of their D-Tour shows at a local Ikea store in the area. The local Disney station brings their road show equipment and sets up stage in front of the store and invites kids (and adults) to take part in games to win prizes provided by either Disney or Ikea in this case. My daughter and youngest son both participated in a little lip-synch activity for a chance to win a $100 Ikea gift card. My daughter also was picked to participate in three other events (a hula hoop contest and a Disney version of hot potato and one more that I can't remember). My daughter is always excited at events like this, but we've raised her right and she recognizes that she isn't always going to win and that she should be happy for those that do win. During the events, she took time to cheer on the other contestants and congratulate each of the winners. Not bad for a 9 year old.

Anyway, on the last contest, someone else won and the show was over… Except for the grand prize of the day – a prize basket, including a 5 pack of tickets to see Aly & AJ and Corbin Bleu (very popular Disney artists) in concert locally, and an entry into the national drawing to fly to Chicago and see them as well. We didn't win that prize, but the girl that did win the prize had already won a four pack of tickets for the same concert earlier in one of the contests. She (with a little help from her mom, probably), decided that 9 tickets were too many and that she needed to share. Because of the enthusiasm and support that my daughter had shown during the event, she gave 4 of the tickets to us! My daughter was speechless. She could still scream, but she was speechless. ☺ Should be a great show!

My youngest, for his 5 seconds of lip-synching (and couple of minutes of dancing with his sister), won the Ikea gift card too! "He" opted for a new "big-boy" dresser to go with his room which is being redecorated this fall.

We all had a great time, the kids got some exercise (and sun – it was hot!), and we walked away with some enforcement of a very important life lesson…