Nothing better...

Than witnessing your kid get SO EXCITED over going to see the Wiggles live.

After a morning of showing the house (which could have gone better if the weather had cooperated), we loaded up into the car and headed to Portland. Simon napped the entire two hour drive - which was perfect timing for him to get a rest before the big excitement.

It was tough to tell if he understood what we were there for at first - I had been talking it up to him all week but it was not like he was going around the house all fired up because we were going to see the Wiggles. But once we got into the Rose Garden (the venue) and he saw all the people and all the KIDS he started to get more excited.

One of our techniques for encouraging him to sit for a bit - or at least remain contained inbetween our two seats - before the show started was to buy a BIG TUB of popcorn and a drink. This is highly recommended as it worked great. Chris bought the popcorn, Simon laid on the floor and whined (he was mad that I would not just let him run free through all the people), and I guarded him until we went to our seats.

Our seats ended up being excellent. Right on the isle and close enough that he could really see what was happening - and I had an easy escape if we needed it. He climbed right into his seat, set the GIANT TUB of popcorn between his legs and went to town chowing down. And thanks to the Wiggles for having huge screens before the event showing Wiggles videos - perfect thing for him to watch before hand while eating.

When the show started it was just so cool. I was so excited. Chris was so excited. The kind of excited where I almost wanted to cry because I was just so happy and so glad that Simon was able to see and experience this whole thing. When they came out in the car we clapped and Simon looked pretty darn amazed. They sang bunches of songs - and I think Simon's favorite was seeing Henry the Octopus. Each time he came out on stage Simon would say, "octopus." He was into it all and that was what was really awesome.

He did attempt to escape from our confinement quite a few times - he kept wanting to stand in the isle which was really the stairs where people were walking up and down. Not exactly the safest place. So I would ask him if he was "all done" and he would get the point and come back into the area between Chris and me and reach for the popcorn.

What we really loved was when he would recognize the songs - and do the movements just like he does at home. Seeing it all come together for him like that was priceless.

Chris and I also appreciated the adult humor and genuine fun that the Wiggles brought to the event. You could tell that they were enjoying what they were doing - laughing at themselves and mixing it up.

LOVED IT.