See the Animals and Clowns

The title of my blog is from a song I learned in the first grade when we put on our circus play:

"See the Animals and clowns, see the animals and clowns!

Watch the lions and the tigers as they chase away your frowns.

It's the biggest show on earth, a menagerie of mirth!

Step inside awhile and laugh and smile for all your worth!"

I won't bore you with the rest of it, but aren't you impressed I remember it even after having babies (because we all know that the minute that baby comes out, so do all of your remaining brain cells!)? I was a clown in that play and I got to ride a big wheel in school, which was a huge deal.

Anyhow, I'm singing that song because on Friday, we went to the circus! Not just any circus either, but the grandaddy of all circus kind....the Ringling Brothers and Barnham and Bailey Circus! One of the perks we are able to enjoy with my hubby's job is the occassional use of the company suite at Phillips Arena. He was sweet enough to get 4 (free) tickets to the circus, so my mom and dad (Nina and Papa) went with Molly, Jack and myself (hubby couldn't go...bummer!). I haven't been to the circus in a jillion years, but y'all, it was incredible!!!! Absolutely amazing! I wasn't sure what Molly would think. I figured she would either love it, cry, or just get distracted from it after 10 minutes and want to run around. She was MESMERIZED!!! I really don't think she took her eyes off of it for 2 whole hours. Her favorite was the animals....elephants, tigers, horses, dogs, ponies, goats, and even a porcupine!

Molly was glued to the glass!

This is what happened when I tried to pull her away for a quick picture...

So I had to settle for this....

...and this!

Papa and Jack got to bond a lot.

Jack and Nina enjoyed some time together too!

And then, being the precious little guy he is, Jack drifted off to sleep in the middle of the circus!!

We really had a great time. I highly recommend you go if you get the chance! Molly has been talking about it ever since! Of course, watching us trying to get her to leave and go home afterwards was like a circus act all in itself, but it was worth it!

On a totally random note, I'm off to make some "Deliciously Deceptive" (by Jessica Seinfeld, if you aren't familiar)carrot-cake muffins. The recipe sneaks in carrot puree, cauliflower puree (I just finished making both), apricots and prunes. I figure it might be good to get a vegetable in my daughter's body since she hasn't voluntarily eaten one in, oh, let's see, maybe a year? I'll let you know if the deception works!