and I looked like this. 
I was born in Hannibal, MO
One year, while visiting our grandmother for the summer, she made us costumes. I had a pink gingham dress, with a matching bonnet, bloomers, and a white apron. I was Becky (more on that down below). My bothers had matching outfits that you can see in the picture. The patches on their britches, matched my dress. I still have the bloomers and the bonnet, everything else has been lost. 
This picture was taken in July 1964. We won third place in the contest. The world was so small back then, that when we returned to our home in Cambridge, MD, the The Daily Banner wrote an article on us. I still have the article. It is yellow and worn. In the photo in the article, we are standing by Harry Musgrove, Mayor of Hannibal. I guess nothing else exciting what happening in Cambridge at the time. 
One of the highlights with that event, was riding in an antique ladder truck. All the kids would dress as one of the characters or in red, white and blue. Then we would all climb onto the ladder truck and ride through the parade. Since my grandfather was the one who drove the truck, I got to sit on the front seat with him. 
After winning this contest, people would come up to me and say, “Hi Becky!” and I would say (age 3), “I not Becky! I Sheddy!” then stomp my feet. That’s what my family told me I did. LOL My nickname was Shelly. Apparently I couldn’t say my l’s.
Those were good times. I am looking forward to taking my kids to Hannibal on a long field trip.
11 responses so far ↓
1 // Jul 28, 2007 at 7:16 am
< ![CDATA[I love the outfits, it would seem as if you have come by your creativity naturally]]>
2 // Jul 28, 2007 at 7:23 am
< ![CDATA[What a cutie-patootie!!!
I didn't realize how old you are. I thought you were younger.]]>
3 // Jul 28, 2007 at 11:56 am
< ![CDATA[Michelle, what a sweet picture. Your grandmother must've really enjoyed sewing the costumes, they are so cute!
“I would say (age 3), “I not Becky! I Sheddy!” then stomp my feet. “
You were a spirited little gal weren’t you. ;)]]>
4 // Jul 28, 2007 at 12:28 pm
< ![CDATA[How cute are you! What a fun memory to have!]]>
5 // Jul 28, 2007 at 3:29 pm
< ![CDATA[What a fine Becky Thatcher you did make!
Tom Sawyer Festival sounds like great wholesome fun!]]>
6 // Jul 28, 2007 at 6:14 pm
< ![CDATA[And here I thought that we were closer in age all this time. Have you been lying about your age to us? ;)
You were very cute but I thought that you had an older sister. :???: I'm confused :oops:
That is a great memory. My daughter would have done something similar except it would have been; "My names isn't Becky!" She will only allow her first pastor, who left our church just after she turned one, call her Becky. :roll:]]>
7 // Jul 28, 2007 at 7:39 pm
< 
Well, if you count Donna as my sister since she is sort of my SIL, then I have an older sister, but not by much 
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8 // Jul 29, 2007 at 7:51 am
< ![CDATA[I thought you were closer to my age too.... I had no idea you were so OLD! All that "normal" talk to keep us off track..... I guess it could be .....no, I can't say it.....]]>
9 // Jul 29, 2007 at 11:11 am
< ![CDATA[You and your brothers are cuties! It's no wonder the paper wanted to feature you in your nifty costumes. :)]]>
10 // Jul 29, 2007 at 3:10 pm
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11 // Jul 30, 2007 at 10:16 am
< ![CDATA[What a fun picture! You make such a cute Becky Thatcher. Next time we visit the IL's in the summer we might have to make a trip to Hannibal for the festivities.]]>
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