Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?

Being a military family has its privileges. Sometimes I think I forget that there are positive things that can come out of crappy situations. For example, my super surprise today.

The USO is constantly doing things to help military members and their families. They provide support and a place to rest your head at most major airports around the world. They help set up programs like "United Through Reading" for deployed parents so they can record themselves reading books to their children (this is by far my favorite thing). They've even teamed up with Sesame Street to help parents and children learn ways to cope with deployments by providing a special DVD thats perfect even for children as young one year old.

Elmo has been the one character that Lucy has gravitated towards since she was old enough to see. I can remember walking through Babies R Us and her eyes would always pick out the red monster in the picture before anything else. Her first official toy was an Elmo teething toy. When it was lost less then a week after purchasing it, I quickly ran out and found the same toy for her. Needless to say, at two years old she is still in love with him.

So when I came across a random Facebook post this morning that Elmo and Rosita were going to be at the Community Center I knew I had to take Lu. There was nothing published about it anywhere except this one Facebook post. I had my doubts it was true, but I knew if it was I'd regret not going.

So Papa Jim, Lucy and I headed out for a special pizza dinner and checked to make sure the event was still on. Once it was confirmed, I asked Lucy "What do you think about meeting Elmo today?"

Her eyes grew huge, "Elmo? Elmo's World?"

"Yep" I told her.

"Lucy want to meet Elmo Mommy!!!!" was her response with a humongous smile.

After dinner we headed over to meet them. When they came out, Lucy started clapping and said "MOMMY!! ELMO IS WIGHT DAR!!" This phrase was repeated over and over again while Rosita and Elmo sang songs and played games all while Lucy danced around and clapped.

When it came time to take a picture with Elmo, I asked Lucy if she wanted to give Elmo a hug. The little girl who I have found is shy around most new people and situations ran up to him and gave him a big kiss on the mouth. She was in seventh heaven getting to meet her favorite character.

I honestly think we are so fortunate to have events like these. The last couple weeks have been hard on Lucy when it comes to Daddy not being home. She asks more and more if Daddy can please come home from his trip. She misses him lots and we send kisses to Daddy every day, but its not the same as having him walk in the door at the end of the day.

Having a surprise, like meeting Elmo, helps make things a little easier. It takes her mind off the fact that Jon is still gone. Thanks to the USO and our local military community, we have wonderful moments like these to make deployments more bearable. Its silly how a puppet can take a crappy day and turn it into the one of the best nights even I've had in the last 7 months.