The story behind the pics...

i have been so excited to blog on our vacation, and dreading it just the same. I have so much to write about, it was sooo much fun, i don't want to miss anything. I guess i'll start at the beginning and go a day at a time. Bear with me... and please ignore the typos. I am at work, it is 4am and this keyboard is terrible and the keys stick!

We left town Tuesday and got on the road around 0900 and made a few stops for cofee. I guess the trip really got going close to 10am. Madison was content in the middle seat of the expedition with her "ma-maw" next to her. SHe had her movies on. i was in the back seat... I had the whole back seat to myself so i could try to get some sleep after working all night. so much for that. i think i nodded of somewhere between a maryland rest stop and PA and slept through Delaware. It was probly a total of 2 hours sleep.

We made it to the Crayola Factory and Madison had a blast. SHe got to use colorwonder markers, play with sidewalk chalk and even play with model magic clay. She thought that was pretty neat. She picked corn in the "garden" and talked a little about her colors too. THen we hit the gift shop. $3.00 later we had a bag of very pretty rocks...lol

Next was the Crayola shop. They have very cute shopping carts for the little ones to shop with. madison grabbed hhold of one and went to town. she filled it up and was quite proud. After securing her loot, we headed to the hotel and that is where the real fun began. Madison was wired and did not go to bed. by this time i was exhausted. It was fairly sad, if you can picture two grown adults hiding under the covers from their child so they would got to sleep...

Wednesday we had breakfast at the hotel and then daddy took a conference call. After that we loaded up and headed to sesame place. madison started spotting the characters pictures before we parked and shouted them out. We snuck in for a showing of elmo's world live...she was very exciited. We walked all over, she ran around and finally after a few character spottings and lots of shopping, she fell asleep. Too bad it was about 35 min before the parade started. To daddy's dismay, mommy and "ma=maw' woke Madison up and boy were we glad we did. She wastched and clapped and squealed from the saftey of daddy's shoulders. I wasnted to cry she was so happy.

After the parade we went to have dinner with the characters. Madison got to hug and love Elmo, cookie monster, zoe, and big bird. THis meant I also got upclose and personal with them =oP SHe was squealing and blowing kisses and waving!! she was too excited for words. all of the characters came to each table too! i think cookie monster might have goosed grandpa! You'll have to ask him, but i think we have the picture to prove it. lol

Towards the end of the dinner all the characters came out and danced with the kids. Madison beelined for ernie and even got to dance with him..SHe grabbed a hold of his thumbs and wouldn't let go!! I was wondwering why ernie was dancing with her so long! Silly, sneaky girl!

WHen we left we took her back to the hotel and threw her in the pool a bit to make sure she was worn out! still didn't work. she was so excited she didn't want to go to sleep and finally an hour after the battle started she gave in and fell asleep on daddy's chest.

We had breakfast with the characters again on Thursday morning after checking out from the hotel. Another great start to the day. Bert was there this time too! We even got to see "osta' (oscer)right before breakfast. It was funny b/c a lot of the kids were scared but she loved them. We found the kiddo spot with "little bird's nest" and "ernie's bed bounce' madison ran around lik crazy and would run and jump and land on her but. She pooped twice in the nest too. stopped dead in her tracks and stuck everyone out.

Next we were off to the sandy beach spot. Here we found out that madison does not care for sand on her feet. Good thing we didn't spend money on a trip to the ocean this year =oP Abby Cadabby's Treasure Hunt and a little more shopping rouunded off the day. I think most of sesame street followed up home. We had a caricture drawing done of us also. Too funny.

madison fell asleep as soon as we hit the car and we went shopping a bit at Franjklin mills mall. She got some clothes and 4 new pairs of shoes!! Rotten girl! THe ride home was great too. She is such a good traveler. SHe was upset because she told us she was going to pop, then pooped and didn't want to sit in it. We opulled of at the nearest exit, but she screamed "poo-poo" until we changed her. just more re-enforcements that it is time to start potty training. I think we got home around 9pm Thursday night.

A special thankyou to grandpa and grandma for everything they did for us on vacation. We loved that they were there and are very appreciative for all they have done. Madison is truley blessed to have two set of grandparents that would give her the world. THank you for driving us and everything else you do! what a great vfamily vacatin with what will be great memories.

Oh yeah, and remember that "whole backseat" I started out with??? there was barely enough room for my butt to fit on the seat on the way back. If Madison had done anymore shopping the would have have to send mne back UPS!!