Just for a Day

Without a doubt, the highlight of the past week was Cassie's birthday.  Bill and Dorothea journeyed all the way from Florida to celebrate with us.  This was Lacey's first, up close experience of an American birthday celebration.  So, just for a day, I took the girls out of school early.  And, just for a day, we forgot about homework and violin practice.  Gladis and Julio joined us for dinner, and we became a party of eight.  We made a taco bar in the kitchen, along with a lot of happy noise. 

Cassie and Gladis

10 Candles!



Bill, Cassie and Dorothea



Dorothea brought the girls a sewing machine!

Saturday afternoon, Dorothea, Cassie, Lacey and I went shopping.   Across the mall parking lot, we spied the vivid peaks of the big top.  Of course, I couldn't  resist the thrill of seeing the circus!!  Circling the exterior of the circus can be more exciting than the actual circus.  I wanted Lacey's first experience with the circus to be more than memorable.  So, . . .First, we stepped right up to the cages of tigers.  I insisted that what the girls were smelling was the clean cedar inside the cages. 

A white tiger

Then, we passed by the camels and horses.  We saw a little pony  escape and take off running across the circus compound.   We couldn't leave until we knew that the baby pony was safely back in his stable.  It turned out that the pony was lonesome for the bigger ponies, which were busy carrying paying customers on their backs.

We happened upon a couple of roustabouts who were taking a break to engage in a fistfight.  (Isn't "roustabout" a splendid word?  Tell me, when was the last time you got to say "roustabout?")  A bystander did his best to  convince Lacey that the men were just playing.

We were ecstatic when we crept up on an elephant rehearsal.  I will probably never be that close to an elephant in my life!  Ever!!  We heard the trainer yell, "Tails!" and the three elephants got in a line, clinging to each other's tails.  We saw the elephants slip into their costumes and watched a young woman hop on one of their backs.  So exciting!!  

Watching the Elephants

Sunday afternoon found us waiting in line, first at the ticket counter and then at the concession stand.  Lucky for us that I had scored two free children's passes because it cost us $20 for two snow cones and a soda.

We found our seats inside the tent and soaked in all the pre-circus atmosphere.  I decided that just for a day, I wouldn't worry about animal rights  and impoverished workers.  Just for a day, I would enjoy the sights and sounds of the circus through the eyes of my children.  We sat watching the busy three rings - one filled with the pony rides, one filled with camel rides, and one being readied for the tiger's act.  An announcer repeatedly told us that, for a small fee, we could have our photo taken with the pink poodles.  A guy selling popcorn for $5.00 a container did a marvelous job of balancing his tray on his head.  We watched in awe as the family seated in front of us spent close to $100 on souvenirs.  Struggling to take it all in, Lacey asked, "Is this how we watch the circus?"

The Pink Poodles

The national anthem was played and the LLAAADIES AND GENTLEMEN were invited to turn their attention to the tigers.  As the show began, I had to divide my attention between the tigers and Lacey's face.  Cassie applauded when the ringmaster announced that all the tigers had been born in captivity.  That meant that none of them had been viciously removed from their natural habitats.  As the tigers leapt through flaming rings of fire, Cassie crossed her arms and pointed out that this was "animal cruelty."  I pointed out the number of raw meat snacks each tiger was receiving.  Later, I was marveling over the synchronized actions of the men hoisting the swings and nets for the trapeze artists.  Cassie tapped me on the shoulder and whispered, "Do you think those workers have opportunities for promotion within the circus?"  I was secretly thrilled with the level of moral development that my young kid has achieved.  But, I wanted to hold her and beg, "Please, just for a day be a child.  And, just for a day stop taking on adult concerns!"  

The tigers performing

Tuesday, I had to make an unscheduled trip to the school playground to retrieve Cassie's jacket which she had forgotten there on Monday.  She found the jacket, which was a soggy mess from the overnight storms.  I was slightly annoyed because this was my second unscheduled trip to school in as many weeks for the same reason.  I was even more annoyed later that evening when I discovered the muddy jacket on top of a pile of clean laundry.  But, I consoled myself with the realization that Cassie is 10 years old and, she apparently is going to be a kid for more than just a day.