Running Away To Join The Circus

One of my favorite blogs to read is Mommy's Martini, not ONLY for the name itself (though that would be enough) but for many and varied other reasons as well. This week there is a chance to win some tickets to Ringling Bros. circus if we blog about our kids' ideas regarding the big top. Christopher and I have been talking about bringing the kids to Ringling Bros. for the first time, since it's in our area the week of Colin's 5th birthday in November. So, as fate would have it, we're feeling a little lucky like we have a chance of winning this (random) contest. Thus far, the only circus the boys really remember is a shoddy traveling production that makes the rounds here every year, consisting of mangy animals (and the requisite cruelty-to-animal protesters at the gates), out of shape aerial performers, a lackluster dog show and one lonely elephant and horse. Oh, and Lucco the clown, or "The Italian clown" as Colin is wont to call him. This year, Chris took the bigger boys and they had fun... albeit the generator died part-way through the first act and they had just as much fun hitting a tennis ball around the nearby courts until two pick-up trucks pointed their headlights into the tent so the performers could wrap it up and call it an early night. The good news is: it doesn't take much to entertain and amaze our boys. The bad news is: they don't know the extent of magic that a "real" circus can provide to a young tot. We'll be crossing our fingers that they'll soon find out--in person!

Ringmaster Colin's pictorial view of the Circus. Clockwise from top left: "A dog show"; "A Clown with huge shoes"; "a Jumping Horse"; "an Elephant" (trunk on left, tail on right, he pleads with me to add); "a box of Popcorn" and "A Light-up Sword" (both items that Daddy did NOT buy for him at the local circus event, but he's hoping that next time we bring "enough money to get tickets AND treats.") Not bad for a 4 year old. In my biased opinion. I asked Liam to draw what he liked about the circus, to which he replied: "I like the clowns. But Colin draws better than me, ask him to do it". He's a born manager, this kid--even at age 3.