I want to start this article with an apology to everyone out there who visits and reads the articles posted here on the Children's TV page. I have been extremely sick these last few weeks and didn't have the energy to get the everyday things done, and therefore my writing has suffered. But I am on the mend and doing better and am back ready to write and share!

This article is to let you know about the Summer movies that are being shown daily on Toon Disney. Yes, they are older movies, but they are showing some classics! Everyday, Monday through Friday, in the afternoons they are showing one movie. You can check out the viewing list for your area and decide which ones you and your children will enjoy.

Next week they are showing one of our family's favorites movie, Aladdin. Aladdin will be showing on Monday, June 23rd in the afternoon. Check your local listing for the exact time. My oldest daughter loves Jasmine! And wouldn't you know that we don't own the DVD. Guess what we will be watching next week!

I am sure that the majority of people are familiar with the Disney classic, Aladdin. For those of you who need a quick summary/review, here it comes.

Aladdin is about a young "street rat" who is discovered by the evil Jafar as a diamond in the rough. Aladdin falls in love with Princess Jasmine, but knows that he doesn't have a chance because he is not royalty. Jasmine is unhappy with her life in the palace and Aladdin is unhappy with his life. Aladdin joined by his pet monkey Abu, gain possession of a magic lamp that has a Genie in it, who will grant Aladdin three wishes. Can you guess what his first wish is? You guessed it, royalty. But Jasmine won't even look at him because she is sure that he is a s pompous and full of himself as all the other would-be suitors were. Aladdin takes Jasmine on a magical carpet ride and they begin to fall in love. Jafar realizes that this new prince is actually the boy he tried to trick into getting the magic lamp for him. Jafar plots with his parrot, Iago, to steal the lamp back. Jafar uses the genie to grant him evil wishes. Aladdin in the end tricks Jafar and traps him inside a magic lamp to live his life as a genie. The truth comes out about who Aladdin is, but instead of using his last wish to become a prince again, Aladdin chooses to keep his promise to the Genie and uses his last wish to set him free. The Sultan, Princess Jasmine's father then decrees that Jasmine may marry whom ever she wishes, and she chooses Aladdin. And guess what everyone lives happily ever after. Well, at least until the sequels, but that is another story. (I personally do not like the sequels nearly as much as the original, but that's me.)

I admit to loving the Aladdin story, and find great teaching moments while watching it with my children. By asking thought provoking questions such as, "Should you try and change who you are just for someone else?" "Is one person better than another person just because they are richer, cuter, or have power?" "Which character is your favorite, and why?" "Which character do you think you are most like, and why?"

I try and find teaching moments no matter what we are doing, watching a movie, reading a book, doing school, grocery shopping, or even helping a friend. Whatever situation we find ourselves in can be used to teach simple as well as grand ideas and lessons. I challenge you to find the lessons big or small in every situation. Not only will you kids learn , but you will learn as well. You will learn things about your kids that you might already know as well as things that you didn't know. You will find out more about your kids and what makes them happy, sad, afraid, mad, jealous, and every other emotion out there. Don't forget to share a little of yourself as well. If you kids are older you might need to share something first to get them to open up and trust that there is no judging or ulterior motive, just a genuine interest on your part. These discussions can be fun or serious.

The most important thing in this challenge is that you are spending time as a family and enjoying each other!