Union Station, Trains, and a REAL Mickey!

Matthew has been pretty busy on the weekends so I frequently make an attempt to get the kids out of the house for a few hours. This allows him to have some uninterrupted work time and a better chance at just hanging out with the kids (and mom) after nap. I usually bank on the soccer clinic but it was cancelled today. But the Lord provided through a great heads-up phone call from Gigi! Union Station was having a Marine Corp Toys for Tots drive that included Mickey Mouse. (Bonus: It was free!, Besides your donated toy.)

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Sponsored by Radio Disney AM 1190, there was singing, dancing, toy give aways, etc. Plus mickey themed stations, complete with trains, for the kids to play at.

Clapping to the beat. Ainsley was a bit shocked to see Mickey Mouse. His first time on stage she was very reserved. By his fourth appearance we were front row and doing the how-down with his co-host!

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Andrew wasn't quite sure what to make of everything. I am sure the fact that Ainsley made an effort to get two of every free giveaway was lost on him. I think his expression captures the idea that Mickey is larger than life to most kids.

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We visited each station an donated a Dr. Suess book and received a train conductor's hat!

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Mickey changed and got ready for his big train ride to California. If you are interested, you can watch Mickey on the train on UTube.

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We didn't get hugs or handshakes from the big guy but it was fun just the same!

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At bed time Ainsley said, "Mom, wasn't it so cool to see a REAL Mickey Mouse." A slightly warped sense of reality but with a thread of truth. To a three year old, seeing Mickey Mouse outside of the confines of a DVD or a storybook had to be pretty amazing!