I never quite realized the craziness to which I’d stoop until I became a mom. If you’d have asked me 10 years ago if I would bend to the level of befriending Elmo, I’d have denied the desire to ever see the furry little red beast. Now, 10 years later, I would like to report that I was not only happy to recently see our furry red friend, but giddy. It’s true. My giddiness was caused by my anticipation of seeing Pierson’s face when Elmo appeared! Nothing brings me more joy than seeing wonder in Pierson’s eyes-it brings joy to this momma’s heart.

We received tickets to go see Elmo from a friend.

Even the $10-a-POP bunch of BALLOONS during intermission to con poor parents into appeasing their whiny kids didn’t stop me from being giddy! Though I do confess to muttering something like “THAT’S JUST WRONG” when the salesmen appeared with the bunch of more than one hundred balloons.

And it was worth every second, even if the evil Sesame Street people preying on Elmo-lovin’ kids with every knick-knack, paraphenaila, & doodad known to man–All because of this smile:

in which my soul reciprocates.