What ended up as the theme for our grand girl's recent third birthday party actually started in February, with an outing to the "70 YEARS OF OZ" exhibit held at The Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
It was actually my husband's idea, her daddy's daddy, who read about the exhibit which was celebrating the seventieth anniversary of the motion picture release and was featuring an extensive collection of memorabilia from local Oz enthusiast, Jane Albright. He thought it would be a great idea for us---her grandparents here in town---to take her to it. I, her daddy's mama, was a bit afraid that it might "scare" her......you know with the green faced wicked witch and the flying monkeys, and all. She was just a BABY---- four months away from her 3rd birthday at the time!!!!
We ran the idea by her mom and dad---I promised if I saw anything I perceived as "scary" that I would promptly cover the eyes of our sweet little grand girl and whisk her OUT of that place.
It took about 12 seconds for us to obtain permission to have her for a few hours and expose her to The Land of Oz...........
Dorothy, Glenda and Toto were waiting for us as we entered the exhibit.
Her Grandfather was fairly quick to yank her little hand from Glenda's dress----the sign clearly said "Please Do Not Touch Dorothy or Glenda". That's oh so hard for a little non-reader to know---or understand! Glenda said it was OK and that the little one just needed to "Follow the Yellow Brick Road!!!!"
OH MY!!!!!
And the little one DID "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" !!!!
She saw The Scarecrow, who only wanted a brain!!!
She saw The Tin Man, who was hoping for a heart!!!
Then she saw The Lion, who wanted some courage!!!
Oh my goodness, they all passed through the Poppy Field-----
until they found The Wizard of Oz!!!
Several of The Munchkins were "working away"---trying to help the Grand Girl "find her way home to Kansas!"
First, she had to climb up into The Wizard's palace and zooooom down the magical slide!!!
When she reached the bottom, The Wizard had arranged for a balloon ride back home.
When the balloon "landed", the little girl loved looking at the amazing collection of Oz items!!!
After a quick lunch to regain her strength from all of the excitement of visiting The Land of Oz, her Grandpa took her outside to the fountains......
for a little exercise and........
pure joy!
It was a gorgeous day in FEBRUARY---in Missouri!!
While they were outside, I visited one of my favorite shops inside Crown Center!!!
They had lots of Oz stuff for sale--including the sweetest little Dorothy dresses and "ruby slippers".
When we arrived home that afternoon, I shared with THE STONE RABBIT our Oz Adventures at Crown Center.....then I read the story to him about Dorothy, The Wizard, the Scarecrow, the Lion, the Tin Man, Toto, the Wicked Witch, Glenda the Good Witch.......he LOVED every word.
As he hopped off to share the story with his little yard ornament friends, he turned to me and said, "I hope I can hop down a Yellow Brick Road someday!"
"Maybe you will", I told him, "Maybe you will!"
DANA
Cute post! Did you see that Mary and Ben had the opportunity to meet Jane Albright? She stopped us in Crown Center b/c she fell in love with Mary's toe-worn ruby slippers and asked if her husband/photographer could photograph Mary's feet! I imagine we might see that photo in a future display someday! Neat, huh?!!!
A Wizard of Oz birthday party...what a great idea. Miss Mary will be turning 5 in August and has been in love with Dorothy since she saw the movie...around the same age as your grand girl!
Posted by: Valerie | June 22, 2009 at 12:35 AM
Such a cute post, Dana!! I wish we could have taken Miss Gabi. She would have loved it!
Posted by: Pat | June 22, 2009 at 04:59 AM
Good to see you!! I didn't know about this exhibit but it looks wonderful.
Posted by: Terri | June 22, 2009 at 05:03 AM
What an enjoyable day you must have had. And during the month of February no less.
Posted by: Sandy | June 22, 2009 at 05:48 AM
how fun! that's my kind of place. maybe someday i'll get to visit there. i love the Wizard of Oz!
Posted by: heather | June 22, 2009 at 06:38 AM
Dana... what a wonderful exhibit! and you got to take sweet grandgirl to see it... I think I'd have been tempted to touch Glenda's dress too...she's my favorite...
I have a little surprize I'd like to send you... would you email your mailing address to me? I'm not going to tell you what it is... it just said "Dana" to me... and since you've given me so many smiles.. I'd like to send one to you...
hugs. Dixie
Posted by: Dixie | June 22, 2009 at 07:22 AM
Wow, that was a wonderful exhibit...especially for a little girl on her birthday!!
Posted by: Becky | June 22, 2009 at 07:52 AM
What a magical outing for her! I'd be wanting to touch everything too. :) xo xo
Posted by: Cathy Santarsiero | June 22, 2009 at 08:03 AM
What a fabulous exhibit! REALLY neat!
Posted by: Darlene | June 22, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Dana, That was a cool exhibit. I hope it visits our museum here - or I Hope we didn't miss it. Such a fun day for a cute little Grandgirl! ~ Robyn
Posted by: Robyn | June 22, 2009 at 06:20 PM
That's one of my all time favorite movies, I didn't realize it was that old. Of course, I've been watching it for 50+ years, so I shouldda had a clue, huh?
Posted by: nola the the alamo | June 23, 2009 at 08:24 AM
Hi Dana :)
That looked like so much fun! I would have touched her dress myself and I'm not 3 LOL
I think we'll have to go there someday soon :)
(((hugs)))
rue
Posted by: rue | June 23, 2009 at 11:37 AM
What a neat birthday celebration idea.
Posted by: Sally | June 23, 2009 at 05:29 PM
Great story and cute pics! Sounds like it was a fun exhibit and great for the kids!
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | June 23, 2009 at 06:13 PM
How fun! Did you buy your grand girl the dress and slippers for her party?
Can't wait for Part II.
Posted by: Donna | June 23, 2009 at 08:57 PM
Hi Dana - I hadn't heard about this and it looks wonderful. The picture of her in the balloon is absolutely adorable. I loved these pics - who doesn't love The W of O??? One of the munchkins lived here in Pflugerville and I would see him and his tiny wife in the grocery store and was just starstruck! Your granddaughter has the most amazing head of red curls - gosh she's adorable. Thanks for showing us the exhibit. xoxo Nancy
Posted by: Nancy | June 23, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Hi Dana
Thanks for stopping by for a cup of tea. It really cheered me up! That Oz exhibit looks like a lot of fun. I love the red hair on your grand daughter.
Hugs, Rhondi
Posted by: Rhondi | June 26, 2009 at 07:26 AM
I hope this is going on a while longer cuz I see a trip in our future!!
chas
Posted by: Chasity | June 26, 2009 at 03:14 PM