The Greatest Show On Earth!

Wow, am I tired. Sorry for the lack of post last night and today, but we have been quite the little go-getting family and there just wasn't room for the blog anywhere until now. As I was watching the news at lunch yesterday, I caught a brief story about the circus being in Everett and something about half price tickets. Never one to want to miss out on a deal, I asked Lon to check online to see when the tickets were half price. It turns out it was last night so we quickly decided that our schedule was free and that we should go. So, we left home around 5:00 yesterday evening and returned around midnight. (Now you see why there was no blog last night; I'm just not that dedicated!) The circus was great fun and the girls loved it. I think it really is "the greatest show on earth"! After every act, Lainey would turn to me and say, "Is it over? Is that it?" She was pleased to know that there was more to come. They loved the tigers and ephelants and horses! Of course during the intermission, they paraded out the cotton candy and popcorn, etc. so that all of the kids would then badger their parents to buy some. As the cotton candy was $12, and as that cost nearly as much as 2 of our tickets, we didn't get any. Lainey almost won me over when she pulled out the big doe eyes and the "please, Mommy, I'm really hungry," but my shrewd financial wisdom won out. I just couldn't hand over $12 for something that probably cost them $2-$3 to make. So, no, they don't have the memory of having cotton candy or anything else to eat at the circus, but they still had a good time and we still have the $12. The circus started at 7:30 and was over by 10:00, though we slipped out around 9:45. We still had a 2 hour drive ahead of us. Anyone who knows our children knows that they are creatures of the schedule we have created and that schedule includes bedtime at 8:00. So, while Lainey hung for the whole thing and only complained about being tired once or twice, Sarah Grace wilted after intermission. She never went to sleep, but she did lay down on Lon's lap a couple of times and was very obviously miserable. By the time we got out of the parking garage and onto the main road, they were out. Abby will have no memory of having been to the circus, but she did pretty good while we were there. She has become an unhappy traveler in the car and made for a pretty long trip there and most of the way home. There was talk of tying her to the roof; alas, there were no bungee cords in the van!

Today was the day of 1001 errands. I made my list and we struck out. We left home around 10:15 and got back about 5:00. Sarah Grace was especially glad to be back home. When we pulled into the driveway, she said, "We're home, we're home, we're home!" Banks, libraries, offices, Walmart, Costco, Albertson's, Safeway, oh my! We accomplished all but one thing on the list so I count it a success! We used some of Lainey's birthday money and got her a book bag and some school clothes. As she stood in line wearing her little book bag on her back just as proud as could be, I had to hold back a tear or two. Where does the time go, I wonder!? I fear that tomorrow I'll be holding back a tear or two as she tries on her cap and gown or, worse yet, her wedding gown (though she did tell Lon once that she wasn't ever going to get married to which Lon said, "A verbal contract is binding!"). Lord, please let me pause and enjoy each little moment with these girls and not take any of it for granted (even those moments when I only wish that bedtime would come sooner!).

Here are a few pictures of our circus trip!