Lesson #1042

I've learned a valuable lesson today. Do you know the saying about anticipation? I can't remember exactly how it goes but something along the lines of...the anticipation can sometimes be the best part. Anyhoo Glenn and I have been siked (if that's possible) about taking Ryleigh to see Elmo Live today. We bought floor tickets when they went on sale in September. We made a plan not to tell Ryleigh at all. Our reasons, she has NO concept of time and we didn't want to be harassed on a daily basis for 2 months. We decided to wait till the night before to drop the bomb. She seemed pretty excited and even told us she needed to go to bed and get a good night's rest (huh?!?).

When we told her we also gave her an Abby shirt to wear to the show. Glenn tried his best to explain exactly what we would be experiencing (that it wasn't COSI). We also told her that Grace (her friend) would be coming with us. She was very excited about this part.

This morning we pulled ourselves together, got Grace and headed to the show. We tried to take pictures but only Grace was willing. This is a new thing with her...NO PICTURES...so as excited as I was to create a moment I let it go (although I snug in few shots and she cooperated enough to take a photo with Grace after much pleading). When the curtain opened it seemed all was going well again. Although Ry wasn't nearly as excited as we had hoped. She was never unruly (okay once) but she didn't want to stomp her feet, try to sit on a lap to see better or point at any of favorite characters.

Grace, on the other hand, had a great time. She is a pretty quiet girl and although she didn't speak more than 10 words the entire time she was with us, her body language and smiles gave me much joy. I was so happy she had a good time. Her parents were smart and told Grace several days prior to the show. Lesson learned here! I will now let my child enjoy her own anticipation as I enjoyed mine.

I don't want my picture taken!

Before the show

A good moment! Glad Glenn caught it on film.

Oh I almost left out the meltdown... we got her and Grace Elmo balloons at intermission. Right before the show started again they asked us to put the balloons under the seats. We obliged but right before the show was to start again Ry accidentally kicked her balloon and it went flying to the rafters. I tried my best to grab it but hey I am only 5' 2" so it wasn't going to happen. Ryleigh erupted in tears and I grab my wallet in the hoped of buying another $8.00 balloon! Call us suckers but what can I say, it was part of the experience. Anyway, I hightailed it to find another one. I found out we could get one after the show. Thank goodness. By the time I arrived back in my seat Ry had settled down (thanks Glenn!).