"Under the Big Top"

When I was a little girl, one of the highlights of the year was going to the El Karrubah Shrine Circus. Tonight, you two got to live the magic that is the circus! Landon, you've been one other time when you were about Shelby's age, but you don't remember it, so essentially this is your first trip too. Poppie and JuJu scouted out some great seats right at the center ring only a few rows up. When we all arrived, I was a little worried about you, Shelby. At the top of the stairs down, you started to fret a little, so we took it very slow. We watched from afar before we started the descent to our row. With so much noise, such bright lights, and so many people, you weren't too sure at first. But as with anything and you, it just took a little warming up to. Once the show started, the pretty ladies in sparkly sequins and lush feathers caught everyone's attention. And then out came the tigers! You both were very interested in the show now. Landon, you stared with such curiosity, while Shelby made her growling sounds and pointed. Shortly after the tigers was Bo the elephant. As soon as he came out, Shelby continued with her animal sounds, curling her arm around, just like you did when you were her age, for the trunk. It was really amazing to watch him lift his entire body and stand on his front legs. Landon, at Intermission, you even got to ride an elephant around the circus ring! The clowns were entertaining too. There was one that had a little dog dressed up in an elephant costume that he had to "wind up" to get him to run around. It was the cutest thing ever. We had cotton candy, cracker jacks, chicken and french fries, nachos, and cokes. It was the best dinner in a while! And of course no trip to the circus is complete without souvenirs. Shelby, you chose the stuffed elephant (the EXACT one that you had, Landon!) and Landon, you chose a light saber thingy. As soon as we got back to our seats, Shelby wanted that. So of course, Daddy bought her one too. They finished the show with some really neat trapeze artists and a crazy motorcycle man. Based on the looks on your faces throughout the whole show and in the car on the way home, the circus was an exciting, magical experience for us all.