Sesame Street Live

Grace and Dawson attended their first live performance this afternoon for a show called "When Elmo Grows Up". It was perfect timing, since Grace has been obsessed with Elmo lately. It all started about a month ago when we were in the bookstore and Dawson and Grace kept trading different stuffed versions of Elmo while we were in the store. Both Kellie and I were happy that we escaped without buying one! Then, one day when I went to pick Grace up at daycare she took my hand and let me over to an Elmo doll on a shelf, pointed to it, and clearly said, "Elmo". I was surprised, since up to that point, we hadn't been watching Sesame Street and I really hadn't made a big deal about Elmo or any other of the Muppet characters. But since she showed an interest, I found out when Sesame Street was on our local channel and last week we watched it together a few times. The last segment of the hour-long program is called "Elmo's World" and when Grace hears the music she comes running, saying "Elmo, Elmo, Elmo" over and over again.

So, when Kellie suggested we take the girls to see the Sesame Street Live performance, I knew it was a perfect fit.

The show's was about growing up to be whatever you want to be. It was a delightful 90-minute performance with all of the favorite Sesame Street characters we grew up with (and some new ones like Abby Cadabby) singing about what they want to be when they grow up like a cowboy, a forest ranger, a weather monster, and a fairy godmother. They stressed the message that anything is possible when you believe in yourself!

When the lights went down and the music started Grace what in heaven. She cheered and clapped her hands like she was at a rock concert!
What is great about programs made for kids, they expect that you will take pictures and the kids don't have to sit quietly in their seats. Our girls, of course, were perfect, but it was nice to know it was okay if they weren't. And, Kellie and I were pretty proud of ourselves. We couldn't have done any better - we valet parked, had treats and drinks with us, knew we needed a coat or a blanket for the girls to sit on on top of the booster seats, and were able to keep our eyes on or hold each other's daughter when necessary.Grace enjoyed exploring the theater. She walked around carrying Dawson's Elmo doll (Dawson had Grace's Big Bird) and kept looking over her shoulder to see if I was trailing behind. Which, of course, I was....lugging the diaper bag, our winter coats, and trying to snap pictures at the same time. She also explored the souvenir stand, but (luckily) she is not at the age where she wants everything, yet. I did buy her a CD of the music from the show so we can listen to it in the car.