I don’t wanna build a snowman … but, yet, I do

I do not like musicals (with the exception of Mama Mia!). It’s not for lack of trying to like them; I just get bored with them.

My grandmother introduced me to “Annie” when I was a child, I didn’t hate it: great story, just too many songs. My mom took me to see “Cats” (“Really? This is only intermission?”). My college roommate insisted I sit through “The Sound Of Music” (which I appreciate more now because we have visited the lively hills) and I became ill (literally) while watching “Wicked.”

But, just because I don’t enjoy musicals, doesn’t mean my kids won’t enjoy them. So, I sucked it up and took them to see “The Wizard of Oz.” It was a hit, albeit it was a live, outdoor production, so there was a lot to take in.

They were also fascinated to learn — as was I — that Mommy can laugh just like the Wicked Witch of the West. I even overheard our three kids discussing whether Mommy could actually be the Witch (this is still up for debate).

Later, I introduced our boys to “Annie.” They made it to about the third song before our 10-year-old rolled his eyes and groaned, “Uuggghh! WHY do they have to SING about EVERYTHING!?”

Annie was then silenced.

But this winter, Disney snowed me with their sneak-peeks of the movie “Frozen.”

Yes, Disney is notorious for their musical numbers, but somehow I glazed over this and so did my sons. FYI: “Frozen” also is a princess flick.

I’m OK with a princess flick, but again, about three songs in, my son glared at me and said, “So where is the funny snowman?”

Our daughter, however, was frozen to her seat.

“Frozen” is beautifully animated. And it is funny. And it has a lot of music; music that our daughter has been singing and singing and singing.

“Do you wanna build a sssnnooowwwwmaaannn?” she belts.

Oh, the irony.

I find myself, on these dangerously cold, snowy winter days (irony, again) blurting out, “No! I do not want to build a snowman! Now eat your lunch!”

But, I must admit: it’s sweet to hear her sing the songs from her now favorite movie. We even downloaded the soundtrack for her. And - although I’m tired of it now — when I hear “Let It Go” 15-plus years from now, it will make me smile because it made our daughter happy (our sons, not so much).

“Frozen” might have even trumped “Mama Mia!” for the No. 1 spot in my musical repertoire, not that there was much competition (see above).

About the Author