At the age of 3, I already knew they were just people in costumes but I still had this look of joy and love on my face: http://static.dyp.im/y8wN61FZBq/f5b.....368bdfc206.jpg ^__^

I can only imagine what it might have been like to go to something as awesome as a furry convention at that age, and how cool it would have been to
be interact as a fursuiter. I did have my mom make custom Halloween costumes for me every year growing up, and in retrospect, they were pretty awful...
but at that age a brown-felt "Chip" rescue ranger costume with a Sharpied-on nose may as well have been a custom fursuit in my imagination ^__^

We buried my mom the day before I left for Megaplex. I will always remember how supportive she was of my work as a filmaker and a furry
http://d.facdn.net/art/stitchfan/13.....h_mom_2012.jpg

You guys must be the coolest parents to give your kids this opportunity. Keep on being awesome to your kids and they will be awesome right back ^___^

Thank you so much for your heartfelt post. I only hope my kids look fondly think of me when they get older too.
I sometimes worry that I am a too strict mom; having responsibility, accountability, and doing chores and good in school are very important to me. But, I want my kids to be balanced too! Creativity and using your imagination are equally important to me. Honestly it sounds like me and your mom would have gotten along just fine, making the fursuits was not so far fetched for me, as I have made my sons' costumes for Halloween (whatever they wanted to be!) from the time they were born. From Jedis, to knights in armor, to Max and a wild thing (from Where the Wild Things Are). I have never limited them to what only can be bought at a store.

I would rather guide and support my childrens' growth in being creative and imaginative than to ever have them feel like they need to hide it or not feel accepted.

Thank you, and hey, you sound like you were like my kids too. . . . . . growing up with WDW, they knew from a fairly early age the "truth" about characters. But I have never felt like it has ruined the magic, their faces are big, they are happy, and they pose and get pictures and autographs too. I think the magic is a little deeper when you know. The magic is that there are people willing to work under some of the most strenuous conditions (summer heat, rowdy parents) to bring a smile to children's faces.

I totally agree. with all of that. ^___^
*So many happy mother's days to you!* lol