Elmo!

On Sunday afternoon, the Learning Express store near us was celebrating a special guest star....

ELMO!

(or as Abbie says... "Melllllll mo")

Mommy declined (saying something about the store going to be mobbed - which it wasn't - and wanting to beat the line at the deli counter). Anyway, no way Daddy was missing this opportunity to let Abbie meet her favorite Sesame Street friend in person (though Abby Caddaby is running a close second these days since she realizes they share a name).

Anyway, when we got to the store, it actually looked closed. There were only about 4-5 kids and their parents... but once Abbie saw Elmo her face lit up brighter than I've ever seen. I kept asking "Abbie, who is that? Who do you see?" She couldn't even talk... just beeming smile from ear to ear. Finally, she looked at me and said "Melmo" with a laugh.

We went right up to him, but then it took about 2-3 minutes to get one-on-one attention, mainly because Tyrone wouldnt let go of Elmo's hand. After Tyrone's dad realized his son was hogging Elmo (and then actually DID something about it), Abbie had her personal moment with her biggest idol... finally face-to-face with this...

Kinda scary, huh. She was okay in my arms, but when I pulled out the camera and put her down... and she froze, just clinging to my legs. I tried a few times, but she wanted no part of him. As we left the store, she cried and wanted to back and see him. So I figured let's try again, but we got the same results. Didn't want to be close to him without Daddy. Guess he's a little bit bigger (and uglier) than on TV. So unfortunately, there are no pictures of Abbie and Elmo... but at least her initial smile will be forever remembered by me.