It seems like things just haven't slowed down in ages around here and blog time has been nil. I wanted to get a few things on the record for posterity.
The Greatest Show On Earth
We made our first appearance at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. John and I both grew up in small towns so while we saw a circus or two in our day, I doubt either of us had ever been to this one.
We arrived before the doors opened so as not to miss a thing. The kids amused themselves while we waited in line.
The preshow was really cool because we got to be right on the floor with the performers.
They had some great acts all going on just a few feet from the spectators.
The kids and I were standing in the front and Alyssa got picked to be part of the act.
She was a good sport - never one to shy away from the spotlight.
Once the real deal started, we took our seats in the front row of the balcony. We had about the best cheap seats in the place.
The Monday before the circus, we just happened to be traveling a few miles from our home when the circus train arrived. We got to stand on the side of the road as the 'circus parade' passed. They walked all the elephants, horses and ponies from the train tracks to the arena and had them do little tricks along the way. It was an unannounced parade so only a few of us fortunate enough to be on the road at the time got to see it. It was wonderful way to build excitement for the show that was to come.
Emily turns 3
For Emily's 3rd birthday, we took the family to Chuck E. Cheese (thus the crown). We had pizza and let the kids play for a few hours and then returned home for cake and presents.
It was a store bought cake though it had a certain homespun air about it.
Brendan got Emily this strobe light which casts kind of an eerie mood on the room. Emily had the perfect expression to match.
Our annual visit to Bishop's Pumpkin Farm
We just love this place. It is our Columbus day tradition and since John is one of the few who has the day off, it is never crowded when we are there. An added benefit of going on a weekday is free parking!
We started with a hay ride out to the pumpkin fields. We didn't find a pumpkin we liked so we saved a few dollars and went home without one.
They have a wonderful petting zoo and many little attractions for the kids all free of charge. Here our camera had a rare moment of clarity and actually caught Brendan before he hit the ground.
This is supposed to be a jail but it looks more like caged monkeys.
Lest you think we got away without spending a dime, we did spring for a train ride (though this particular train doesn't move) and of course, we couldn't leave without a gallon of fresh cider and a pumpkin cake.
For our next big adventure, we are off to Virginia and Washington D.C. for 11 days. John's parents are in Norfolk and we plan to cram in as much sightseeing as we can while we have the chance. There is so much history in that part of the country and I hope the children will really come away with a better understanding of the people and places we have studied over the past few years.
To be continued... (probably mid to late November).
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