The Circus

We saw the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Chicago today! My uncle Joe has major connections, so we got the tickets free and we were in a private box! We had our own little kitchen and bathroom. It was my first time seeing a show first class, and now I'll never go back. We went with Greer, Joe, Mia, Erica, and Erica's friend Claire. It was the first circus for me, Daphne, and Dayton.


The circus included: trapeze flying, elephants, tigers, horse stunts, trained ponies, clowns, caged motorcycles, men hanging from ribbons, giant bouncing intertube things, a high-wire motorcycle, acrobats, swinging pole men, jugglers, dog tricks, women hanging in rings, and much more. I'm amazed by all the work that goes into this extraordinary production, not to mention the hundreds of participants. We were sad that the bearded lady never showed up.


Dayton slept through the ENTIRE first half; Daphne slept through most of the second half. Do kids ever appreciate the things we do for them?



Michelle's favorite parts: men hanging from ribbons, elephant tricks, and horse stunts.

Derrick's favorite parts: little dog catching frisbees, bouncing intertube things, and caged motorcycles.

Dayton's favorite part: playing with cousin Mia.


The only good pictures I got were of the animals, because they were slow-moving. All of the stunts were just too fast; all I got was a bunch of blurs. The video turned out well, though.


Just this morning, I asked Derrick what occupation he would be most proud of each of our kids to have. For Dayton, he chose a professional football player, of course. But when we saw the circus, Derrick changed his mind. Now he wants Dayton to be a Rebel Rider, which was the stunt with the motorcycles inside the spherical cage.

9 Caged Motorcycles (CRAZY!)



5 Elephants



7 Tigers


Dayton and Mia



Mia, Derrick, and Daphne



Greer and Joe



Erica and Claire


Dayton Playing


5 minute video
Compilation of several acts

It really was the Greatest Show on Earth.


Thanks Greer and Joe! It was unforgettable!