M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E - that's me!

Ever since the adverts for Mickey's Campervan Tour first appeared on the Disney Playhouse tv channel, and we found out on the website that Mickey was to stop off in the MetroCentre, Grace has been beyond excited in anticipation of meeting 'Big Mickey'. It is hard for a two year old to wait for things, I think, but she has been looking at the calendar and counting down the days. It's been really exciting for her :)

So today was the big day. We'd phoned the Disney Store the other evening to ask about timings etc and they advised getting there early as there had been massive queues at Mickey's Glasgow appearance (some waiting for up to four hours). Because of this, we turned up at the Metro Centre at just after half 8 this morning, but still ended up in a queue of about a dozen excited families. At 9am, 'Big Mickey' appeared and came downstairs in the lift. Honestly, the gasps of delight from the audience (adults and kids!) was like they'd seen Brangelina arriving! Grace's little face was a picture!

It only took a short while until it was our turn to meet Mickey. I have to admit, I was really rather excited too, and Grace was overjoyed. She ran up to Mickey and gave him the biggest hug ever! We got a few photos, some free Minnie ears for the girls and some keyrings for a competition in the Disney store (they won us some Wall-E magnets). Each family also received a polaroid of their Mickey meeting, in a special frame.

Also there was Mickey's Campervan and a play area for the kids, oh and Pluto also made an appearance later.

By the time we got out, the queue had become huge, and a little while later it was snaking half way back down the mall. Those people must have had a four hour wait like those in Glasgow had done, but such is the appeal of Mickey Mouse, I guess!

We had a huge lunch in Big Luke's: not the healthiest - a real gut-buster in fact - but boy do I like it in there. What's not to like about all you can eat tex mex and all you can eat ice cream AND all you can drink irn bru?

After that there was time for a few more shops and then we went home, tired but very happy indeed.