Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?

We didn't have to go far to reach Sesame Street. It turns out it was only a block away. Recently, the USO and Sesame Street put on a special performance for military families in our area. Lucky for us, we got tickets!

Makaela has loved Elmo for what seems like forever. Something about him being red, I think, is what drew her in originally, and now she recognizes him on anything - if there is an Elmo book, she wants it, an Elmo plate, she's gotta eat off it and if Elmo is on a commercial, prepare to see a toddler's MIND. BLOWN. 

The performance was held inside a gym, we got there early enough that we landed an awesome spot on the gym floor. And let me just say, sitting on a gym floor sure does feel different at 29 vs 9. Yikes. Anyway, when we got there they gave everyone a nice USO bandana and all the kids got a special Elmo light-up-spinner toy. You know, the kind you pay $20 for at a normal event, haha. 

That little toy certainly came in handy while waiting for the show to start. That, and goldfish crackers. When do those NOT make a toddler situation better?

Once the show started, Makaela was locked in. It's possible that she didn't blink for the entire 30 minute show. 

The show was perfect - just the right amount of singing and dancing. It appropriately focused on moving, and making new friends, go figure.

There were even some parts where Elmo and his buddies came into the crowd. We were on an aisle so Makaela scored some high-fives and a couple pats on the head. 

That was really great because throughout the show she had been blowing kisses to Elmo. Probably like 17 kisses, and she seemed to get her feelings hurt when he didn't blow a kiss back! It was cute and sad all at the same time. Perhaps she didn't notice the 75 other kids in the room that Elmo also needed to give attention to ;-)

We were so thankful to have had this opportunity, it really was a blast!! It is all Makaela talked about for the rest of the day. Seriously. 

Oktoberfest!

Last night we went to Oktoberfest in our neighborhood. We knew what to expect because we had gone last year, so we were super stoked for Makaela to experience all the kid stuff she was too small to enjoy last year.

It was actually a bit "chilly" so Makaela rocked her skinny jeans and her Converse - her first pair of lace up shoes, ah!

And she helped herself to a juice box for the road...

Because the festival was only two blocks from our house, we just strolled on over. Yay for not having to search for a parking spot!

First we walked around and looked at everything, because we knew once miss thang was out of her stroller there would be no going back.

And we enjoyed some not very authentic German food, and beer with Oktoberfest in the name ;-)

There were lots of activities for the kids - pumpkin painting, face painting, zip lines, bounce houses, pony rides and more. 

Makaela loved running (and sometimes marching) around, waving to everyone and of course making friends along the way. 

I didn't expect her to want to go in the bounce house because a month ago when she was exposed to one it made her nervous, but she surprised me and confidently ran right over to the bounce house and began to climb in!! See ya later mom!

For the most part she preferred to crawl around, but every once in awhile she'd stand up and give a little bounce, bounce. 

We were so proud of her for trying something new, and LOVED watching her hang and play with the other kids. It was impossible not to smile from ear to ear. 

After the excitement of the bounce house she was ready to go check out the ponies! 

"You mean I get to sit ON TOP of an animal?!"

At first she kept saying "moo moo." LOL. Then we reminded her these were horses, and then she was all about "nay nay." 

Last time she rode a pony, Daddy walked with her, this time Mama walked along side her girl, while Daddy captured some nice photos. 

She absolutely loved it and did not seem hesitant at all. What a happy girl!!

After a couple rounds she started waving to everyone as she passed by. Such a ham. 

At the end we told her she could pet the horse "just like you pet Ginger." 

She did a great job being gentle and I think her horse friend liked the pets ;-)

After the pony ride, we burst her bubble and told her it was time to go home. Makaela waved to us, said "bah!" and ran off in the opposite direction. Sorry sweetheart, you have to go home WITH us.

She cried most of the way home as Tim and I took turns carrying her because she was wiggling out of control. The only bad part of having fun is that it has to come to an end!

Beach Days

WTF. I apparently did not hit "publish" when I wrote this Monday. Sigh. Here it is now. 

A few weeks ago the mini and I got to go on a girls weekend where we met up with Miss Mel and her mom!

Destination: Fort Walton Beach/Destin/Miramar Beach...I'm not sure I know the difference :)

Mel and her mom were down for a Florida getaway (much needed break from the horrible winter weather they endured!) and they were kind (and brave) enough to invite me and Mak to stay with them for a few nights!

They even tolerated my craziness and allowed me to do THIS to my room to ensure that Makaela would nap. Florida sun is NO JOKE, haha. 

Yes, I'm really that crazy. I brought tacks and extra blankets for this reason. Mama loves when baby naps. 

Gosh, it was so nice to see those lovely ladies. We enjoyed lots of girl talk, movies (along with drinks, chocolate and kettle corn, of course), tasty meals, REAL STARBUCKS, shopping, and the AMAZING pool and gorgeous beach. Sounds perfect, right? It was. 

Mak warmed right up to Mel and her mom (who wouldn't?!). Makaela loved having tea parties (especially when British accents were involved), playing on the balcony with her buddies, splashing them in the pool (when not fixated on that darn abandoned football) and haming it up at restaurants - anything for a laugh. 

The beach was perfect and it was the first time Makaela truly warmed up to the whole walking-in-the-sand thing. By the end of the day she was unstoppable - she practically inserted herself into some drunkin' yuppies game of frisbie. I believe they slurred an offer to build sandcastles with her. She threw a tantrum when I made her pick different friends to hang with ;-)

Although we missed Daddy, it was just the girls getaway that we needed. Thank you so much Mel and Mrs. D - can we do it again soon?!

In fact, we loved the beach SO much we decided to drag Daddy down there the following weekend. It's a pretty fantastic day trip!

She was so excited to play at the beach and chase "duck duck duck"s (birds actually) she skipped her nap. That was okay though because she got to kick back in her stroller when we roamed the outlet mall. 

Daddy probably could have used a nap though after all the running around he did chasing Makaela up and down the beach. She would have liked to walk directly into the Gulf if we let her. No fear of the waves, none at all. Also, no fear of strangers - she sat right down to a nice lady reading a book. She was ready for story time ;-)

We hit up a yummy pizza spot (I think our pizza weighed 10 pounds) before hitting the road.  Mikmak rocked some awesome beach hair. The telltale sign of a successful beach trip, no?