The Greatest Show On Earth

Last Saturday was all about the girls. During the day, I took them to Carroll County's Peep Show (an art show with art of all kinds made out of marshmallow Peep candy). It's our third year going to see all of the creative ways people can think of to make art from Peeps. We voted for our favorites, including some made by friends, and enjoyed some chocolate dipped Peeps and Peep ka-bob treats. (The girls and I were going to submit our own Peep art this year but this mom got her dates mixed up and missed the registration deadline. So... we have some great ideas ready for next year!)

This was an obviously 3-D Peep "sculpture" of the character from Where The Wild Things Are. It was my favorite.

Later that day, we had a visit from Poppy and Pop-Pop. The girls enjoyed some belated Easter treats and some joking around with two of their favorite guys (along with Daddy and Papa). Then, Chris and I loaded the girls in the van for their surprise night of dinner at Red Robins and the Ringling Brothers circus in Baltimore. Dinner was fun and yummy (minus the hair in my first burger) and the girls were dying with the suspense of where they were going next.

This was our second year at the circus. We had such a good time last year that we splurged for Celebrity seating this year. It was worth it. We got escorted to front row, cushioned fold-out chairs right under the high wire. You know the seats were good because I sat next to the mayor of Baltimore and her daughter (who truly got "celebrity" seating when she was brought cocktails and funnel cakes, etc. right to her seat). The clowns and ringmaster interacted with us throughout the show. For the first half, we even got to sit on seats right on the circus floor! The clowns and ringmaster came right up to us (one clown even "blew" his nose on Chris's shirt) and they performed a bunch of really cool magic tricks right in front of us.

Casey, who loves anything patriotic, really liked this elephant who walked the floor while the national anthem played at the start of the show. (Unfortunately, I could not figure out how to get good pictures with the limited lighting inside the arena. Very few turned out well.)

Chris and the girls showed off their "Circus Celebrity" passes...

Our friendly clown who entertained us during intermission...

Of course, the giant elephants put on an amazing show.

And, the tigers were a sight to see as well. The tiger trainer was amazing, although I have to say, I stayed poised to cover the girls' eyes in the event this act went awry (visions of the Siegfield & Roy tragedy were flashing through my mind). There were beautiful white and orange cats and the trainer was flamboyant and entertaining.

In addition, we all enjoyed the high wire act, the clowns, the magic, the disappearing elephant, the acrobats, the dog show, and much, much more. The extra expense for the upgraded seats and snow cones and souvenirs were worth the permanent smiles on the girls' faces that night that lasted even when they fell asleep in the van on the way home. It truly is the greatest show on earth!

An extra special thank you to Poppy and Pop-Pop for entertaining Jacob until late that night!