https://padlet.com/amysparkles46/pgze1ctkn0lg Blog number 1 en-us 2017-10-15 13:11:00 UTC 2025-06-01 18:36:22 UTC hello@padlet.com amysparkles46 https://padlet.com/amysparkles46/pgze1ctkn0lg/wish/197110453 Peter Pan is one of my all-time favourite stories. I love the concept of a boy who never grows up; who oozes magic and fantasy, and whose best friend is a fairy. It was this story, and the happenings of today, that inspired me to start writing my own blog. 
Earlier this year I suggested to my pretend-niece that we book tickets for Disney on Ice at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle. As the day grew closer, I was more excited than she was and right up until the last minute I felt like a child again - that feeling of butterflies and bright eyes. When we got to the arena though, my excitement was slightly tinged by nerves as our bags were rigorously checked and a security man waved a wand over us to check we had no items of 'significant danger' on our possession (and promptly threw my Impulse spray straight in the bin). It was only then that I became aware of the real threat of something horrible happening and started to reflect on what happened at the Manchester arena earlier this year. The child-like side of my brain tried its best to push these thoughts out but as we took our seats I couldn't help but have a plan in place should anything happen - grab Daisy and run for the nearest exit - which made me feel both less and more panicked at the same time...
The best part of the show was the Peter Pan section, complete with FLYING - yes, real flying. Daisy pointed out the wires to me, to which I replied "Just pretend they aren't there!"
During the show, I found myself having all sorts of B.A.T (Boring Adult Thoughts) moments, wondering things like "Do they enjoy their job of sharing magic with young children, or do they just plaster a smile on their face and do it to pay the bills?" and "I wonder how many risk assessments have to be done for this show." and "They must be so hot inside those costumes." But I quickly checked myself and went back to the awe and wonder that I knew Daisy would be feeling. 
At one point, she turned to me and innocently said "They must having a day off from Disneyland today." So, like the quick-thinking teacher I am, I replied, "Yes - but remember there's a time difference between here and Disneyland, so they'll probably be going straight there after this show."
I felt a warm, content feeling inside as she nodded seriously (completely believing what I'd told her) and added, "Some people at my school say that they're just people dressed up...but they're not are they?" I frowned and shook my head, "Of course not; they're real." And her eyes glistened as she continued watching Minnie and Mickey skating with their best friends, reassured in the knowledge that they were 'the real thing'.
Being an adult can be so boring; we get completely tangled in our every day routines (and B.A.Ts) and it's only when we have a break from this, like a holiday or a day out, that we revert back to the child-like feeling of excitement, wonder and the magic that comes from not having to follow the rules of adult life. I feel like I can re-live my childhood (and keep it locked inside me) through Daisy. I want to be a dutiful Aunty and help her to preserve the magic of childhood for as long as I can. Because, let's face it, being a grown-up isn't all we make it out to be.]]> 2017-10-15 13:16:57 UTC https://padlet.com/amysparkles46/pgze1ctkn0lg/wish/197110453 amysparkles46 https://padlet.com/amysparkles46/pgze1ctkn0lg/wish/197111361 2017-10-15 13:27:49 UTC https://padlet.com/amysparkles46/pgze1ctkn0lg/wish/197111361