When I was little, I remember how excited I was when the circus came to town.  They set up shop in an open field near the baseball fields.  We went to watch them set up, and were thrilled to see an elephant warming up outside.  The elephant had its front feet on a large overturned barrel and was practicing walking around it on its back legs.  Suddenly, the elephant's bladder let loose and it was like a fire hose had been released... and continued releasing as the elephant worked its way around the barrel.  We shrieked in horror and yet kept watching with glee.  So when I saw that the circus was coming to town, of course I started making plans to take the kids.

We scoped out the circus this morning and worked out our plan.  When we arrived at the circus this afternoon, Martin started off with a pony ride.  Then had a hot dog with his friend Kendra.


Then, rode the elephant.


Then during the hula hoop segment, Martin started dancing in front of the whole crowd.  As people applauded for the flaming hula hoop dancer, Martin took the applause as a signal that his "work" was greatly appreciated.  He started shaking and grooving, turning back to smile at the crowd.  I hope that the hula hoop girl/ticket taker/horse rider/pony ride seller/trapeze artist/face painter didn't mind Martin taking away some of her glory.


Sophie loved the circus more than I thought she would.  She cheered, clapped, pointed and boogied during the whole show.  I've never seen her more excited.  She didn't get to ride on a pony or an elephant or steal the show with Martin, but she'll be ready for all of it the next time the circus comes around.

After a long and exciting weekend, Martin was exhausted and getting more and more overwrought as the night wore on.  The evening wrapped up with him telling me "my life is getting ruined...by you."  That's parenting for you.