M-I-C-K-E-Y....

M-O-U-S-E! I think if I hear or sing that song one more time today I'm going to absolutely croak!!!!

Today was the 4th annual Cookies With Characters benefiting Meredith's Miracles. I have helped with it the last 3 years, so this was my first year on the other side of the fence. It was definitely fun, but not something I'd want to do more than once a year. I am pooped! I actually WAS Minnie the first year, the next year I was co-director, and last year I was 8 3/4 months pregnant, so I did as much as I could. Shelley has been Cinderella the last 3 years, so it's always fun watching her.

Annistyn LOVES Mickey Mouse and gets REALLY REALLY excited when Mickey Mouse Clubhouse comes on. She sings and dances to the Hotdog song and the theme song. She was caught off guard when they came out at the beginning for the "show", but she clapped as soon as she figured out what was going on. She cried when Spongebob and Patrick were on stage and didn't like the "heroes" (Batman, Superman, etc...) either. She loved Dora and of course, she loved Cinderella (i.e. Aunt Shelley!)

Blakely came and I tried to get them to look at me for a picture. Here's how well that went...



Here is one of just Blakely. She is getting so big and looked so cute with her big bow. Her daddy hates bows, so I usually don't get to see her with one.



After the show, we went to take some pictures with the characters. We didn't get one with everybody- some of the lines were really long. But here are a few...
(P.S.- Some of these are kind of rough. Between the lights, the other 20 people waiting in line, Annistyn, who was unsure at first about the characters, and all the other factors- we're just lucky to have pictures!)

Minnie....


Annistyn liked her better once we walked off.

Cookie Monster...


She was fine until I left her in his lap! I really didn't want my picture taken today- Even though I have been doing good with my diet and exercise and I have lost 13 pounds! Whoo-hoo!

Mickey- can you tell he's her favorite?

She was about to go crazy when we were waiting behind the 40 other people to meet him. She was running around me in circles, clapping and waving at him, dancing, and "singing" the Mickey Mouse song.

Dora and Diego...


Again.... she was fine until I walked away. Then she had a fit!

And our favorite... Aunt Shelley....Oops! I mean Cinderella!


She knew her Aunt Shelley, so she sat with her. I didn't put all of the character pictures on here, but wanted to share a few.

Here are some of just Annistyn in her cute Minnie outfit. My mom could have made this, but we have a birthday party outfit to work on and an Easter dress. I knew it would be hard to get it done in time, so I found a good deal on etsy.com and ordered it.





Speaking of birthdays- did you notice my new festive blog design?? SOMEONE has a birthday in less than two- yes...less than 2 weeks away. I thought we'd celebrate early. The design matches the 2-sided announcements and invitations that I made. I should get them in Monday and I promise I will share them, but not until they have been mailed. That ruins the fun if I show them early!

Sorry that I have been MIA this week. Guess what I have been doing???
I'll give you one hint...



Chasing this little live wire around!!!
We have our own Dora the "Explorer" at our house...



She is into EVERYTHING!!!



And won't stay still for 2 minutes!











She even has her first "boo-boo" (above her left eyebrown) This is courtesy of the window sill and Mommy not being able to catch her fast enough.





She is so wild!!!!

Well... I'm going to bed. I had some more things to share, but I will save them for another day when I am not so exhausted!!!