Product Placement

My New Normal – Product Placement

We have been very fortunate, Sloane doesn’t really notice commercials, labels, or signage. Don’t get me wrong, if we drive by a Coke truck, she can tell you it is a “Big Soda Truck!” But, other than that, she is very happy in her world of toys, Mama and Daddy and Nozzo, and her favorite shows. If you mention McDonalds or Chuck E. Cheese, she will do a happy dance and ask to go, but we rarely get fits of begging to go somewhere or eat at a fast food place.   Matt learned that Sesame Street Live would be coming to our new home town, so he got tickets. I am not sure who was more excited about the show, Matt or Sloane.

We found out that we could get to the show an hour early and play on some set pieces and maybe meet up with a few of the characters. We got there 20 minutes before the door opened and guess what we found out? There is a velvet rope – for toddlers. If you are willing to shell out $65 per ticket, you can come even earlier for a meet and greet with all the characters, play on the set pieces (while the rest of us look on – behind the ropes), and have professional pictures taken with Elmo, Rosita, and Cookie Monster.  Those of us who were not willing to pay the extra cash looked on at the photo op going on and guess what? Sloane was perfectly content to hang out with us and wave at Elmo and Cookie as they walked by.

Once the flood gates opened, we played on Elmo’s piano, Big Bird’s nest, the famous 123 door stop, Oscar’s garbage can, and watched a few dance pieces the cast performed before the show.  They also had several booths set up to buy t-shirts, candy, toys, pennants, hats, and re-useable bags. Sloane didn’t really even notice them, she was too busy watching the character’s dance or was people watching. We did let her pick out an Elmo shirt, she didn’t ask for anything else, and we were happy!

As we walked to our seats, the concessioners slowly started to come in, selling cotton candy – for $5 a pop. Sloane saw other kids eating it and wanted to know what it was – we told her – when she asked for it we told her, “no, but you can have a sucker.” (I always have emergency suckers and fruit snacks). She was more than happy to unwrap and chew on a sucker.  The show started and she was entranced for the full 40 minutes. Then came intermission…

No sooner had intermission started did a man walk down to the center of the theater and stand about three rows in front of us with a gigantic collection of Elmo balloons – for $5 each. Parents and Grandparents lined up and bought almost all of them – Matt and I were not shocked, but $5 for a mylar balloon? Come on people! Sloane asked for one, we took a picture of the big bunch and told her that she could look at the picture whenever she wanted. That made her happy and she had another sucker. Just before the break was over, they made an announcement that those who had bought balloons of pennants should put them under their seats until the show was over. “Yeah right – good luck with that!” a few of us muttered. And the fun began again.

She made it through most of the show and yes, a few balloons popped up, but for the most part, they stayed put.  She had a great day and her new shirt has already had some bonding time with Tide Stain Release.  What did we learn from out trip to Sesame Street Live? Our kid is very happy with what she has and prefers to hang out with us. This makes my heart sing! I know that the requests for McDonalds is soon approaching, but for now, I am going to relish the contented little girl I have (and remember this time when the begging and pleading begins!).