How about a little spontaneous family fun?

This week, Lil E and I hit the ice. OK, so we hit the seats a few rows above the ice.

This was our fifth Disney on Ice show, in part because we were generously given complimentary tickets (including to this performance). Each time, my favorite moment is when the lights go down and the kids' jaws drop.

A few evenings ago, we took one of Lil E's princess-loving friends and her mama with us to see "Let's Celebrate!", the Disney on Ice show now on tour. Together, the two of them can sing every single lyric of every Disney song blared through the speakers while the skaters do lifts in shimmery gowns and sequined cumberbunds below. Although Lil E has only seen a few Disney movies -- primarily the ones with back-talking cars and toy superheroes and aliens -- he still sits and watches with the same awe as his friend.

Scene after scene, the characters from popular movies ice danced in celebration of holidays and special events. In each, Lil E's adorable lady-friend leaned over and whispered to him who each princess was with a "That's Ariel!" or "That's Snow White!" He'd nod and raise his eyebrows in appreciation, never looking away from the ice.

I think they both gasped a little when Tiana, the main character in "The Princess and the Frog", a movie that made me glad to see an ambitious young woman of color finally at the center of a Disney story. The music from the movie was just as delightful as it was on the big screen, and kids were so funny, dancing in their seats.

We had to have a follow-up conversation about the parts in the show when Minnie referred to "every princess needing her prince" and Lil E's friend's mama and I laughed about hoping to one day take our kids to Disney On Ice's "PRIDE! PARADE!" performance. I pray I offer up the balance every day in our house. Still, I can't deny that, out there in that rink, something special lights up for my boy.

It was a big production, but the best show was watching these two little ones so entranced with everything they saw gliding and glittering across the ice.

We're sure to have one more frigid February weekend, so if you are looking for a few hours of family fun, I really do recommend you consider watching your kiddos watch Disney on Ice.

Tickets aren't spendy, especially when you use this coupon code just for Sassafrass readers:

Simply type in the code MOM in the MC Promotion box
on www.ticketmaster.com. You'll get the special pricing of 4 tickets for $44 good for weekday shows (Monday through Thursday
and Friday matinee) and $4 off on the weekend shows (Friday night through
Sunday). 

There are only a few days left in Chicago, so jump on the deal or use it in your own town.

And psst...I also recommend packing up snacks, water and juice boxes to save some cash on giant sodas and salty pretzels. If you can convince your kids that all those light up toys from shows past are still awesomely cool, by all means, dig them up.