That furry red guy that started it all...

I was always the kind of mom that was NEVER going to use television as a babysitter...then reality hit me and when you are home alone all day with an active baby and you just need her to focus for 3 minutes on SOMETHING and toys aren't working you find something that does.

Our something is Elmo.

I have no idea what it is about this furry guy that keeps her so amazed and entertained.  Is it his high squeaky voice?  His large eyes?  His thick coat of red fur?  Whatever it is...it works.  She loves him.  She smiles and coos and giggles and watches his every move and its allowed me to get soooo much done. 

In all fairness, she is pretty obsessed with puppets in general.  Animation...?  BORING.  She's got no interest in bright colors or flashing lights...but a puppet comes on the screen and she's glued to it.  Elmo just seems to be the one she likes the most.

So, when Sesame Street and the USO came to town...

Oh yes...the open mouth, wide eyed wonder look says it all...GIANT PUPPETS THAT DANCE!  And they are right in front of my eyeballs!

She wasn't the only one who had a great time...

It was only a 30 minute show and the line to get in wrapped about a 1/2 mile long...but it was so worth it!

At the end of the show they let all the kids crowd around up to the front to shake hands with the characters...Both Maddie and Bella got to shake Elmo's hand...they were in heaven! (Thats me in the blue shirt holding Bella and Maddie is right in front of us...)

Da da da da...da da da da....Elmo's world....