Sunny day, sweepin' the clouds away...

So, we went to Sesame Place this weekend. It was Julia's day from top to bottom (although Melis and I were pretty psyched to see the replica of Sesame Street with the actual front stoop!) The day started with Breakfast With Elmo. Dearest readers, if you ever have the opportunity to take a Sesame Street obsessed toddler to this park, definitely spring for the breakfast. Not only does Elmo attend, but also Bert, Ernie, Big Bird, and Zoe.

Julia entered the dining hall and turned into one of those screaming girls you see in stock footage of Beatles concerts. She ran around the room shouting, "Elmo!" "Bert!" "Zoooeeeee!" She flew from character to character getting hugs and honking their big orange noses, and basically shoving other kids out of the way like a psychotic, coked-up toddler. (For the record, she is only one of those three things.) Some children were screaming in terror at the characters (which was hilarious) but not my Julesy. She didn't want to eat, she just wanted more hugs




After breakfast, we went out into the park, where Jules continued to spot the famous residents of Sesame Street. I think she was hunting down Cookie Monster in this shot:



And here she's just been held back from shoving another (larger) little girl to the ground and is finally getting her turn to hug Zoe. I honestly didn't realize kids could act this way.



We went to the "Elmo Live!" show, which Jules loved, but I only saw it as an opportunity to nap in air conditioning. Below you'll see the two hardest-working employees at Sesame Place. The guy in the red suit is only the second- hardest worker. It's the khaki-shorted dude next to him who has to control the crowds of children desperate to see Elmo, choose the lucky few who will dance on stage with Elmo, and MC the wretched show, all while displaying the poise and pep of a Rancho-Carne Toro cheerleader, who is the real star. I was exhausted just watching him.

Also, was anyone else disappointed when the much talked-about "Mr. Noodle" appeared and he wasn't at all a puppet noodle? Missed opportunity, that.



I couldn't resist this cupcake. Unfortunately it was inedible. I'm certain its creation caused a sugar shortage somewhere in the world.



We ended the day with the parade down Sesame Street. The characters ride by on floats and jump down to dance and mingle with the crowd. Julia was utterly starstruck. She screamed and waved and giggled like a 13-year-old at a Jonas Brothers concert. It was awesome.