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February 25, 2007
Underneath it all -- my inner child
cotton candy happiness
This blog has got to fall under the category of better late than never, since it's nearly midnight. But we've been out all evening at the Greatest Show on Earth - the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey circus. It was totally fun!! The first time for Princess and Science Boy and they were overwhelmed - didn't know where to look first.
But you know what? To me, it somehow seemed smaller.
Smaller than when I was a kid. And . . . sadder. And way, WAY more expensive. Ten bucks for a sno-cone??? Seriously??? Let's not even talk about the souvenirs.
I am a kid at heart. I wanted to be carried away with the excitement and, for a few moments, I was. The high wire artists always thrill me and the dogs in the dog act make me laugh out loud. But . . .
But. Cotton candy isn't wonderfully sweet any more, it's sticky and something I worry about the kids eating too close to bedtime. The tigers aren't thrilling, but sad to me as I contemplate such majesty in captivity and that they're endangered species. The clowns -- well, clowns always creeped me out. No change there. ;)
My inner child is happy we went to see the circus, and I confess to getting a little teary to see how captivated my kids were at the sight of the elephants marching through the big top. Well, the arena, no actual tent.
Sigh. Another change. It's okay, though. My inner child is content, because she just tucked in Princess, who is sound asleep with her arms cradling her new stuffed clown. And then I pulled the blanket up around Science Boy, and gently took the flashing light-up plastic sword out of his hand.
They get to carry on the wonder and the awe for me. So it's like I've taken my inner child and given her new worlds to discover. All in all, not a bad deal.
hugs,
Alesia
This blog has been brought to you by Margo Candela’s Underneath It All, a novel about finding out who you really are and then trying to forget what you discovered.
Posted by Alesia at 10:45 PM | Comments (4)
Comments
The only time I went to the circus was when I was about 7. I was so excited. The big top was huge and I couldn't wait to find out what the inside was like. We haunted the area where the animals were kept, just amazed at the size of the elephant droppings.
So, come Saturday matinee time we were there waiting to be entertained. It didn't happen. There were clowns who WERE NOT funny.There was a man with a whip bullying poor lions. People were swinging around overhead scaring me. Though mostly, the clowns WERE NOT funny. My father was most disappointed that I was disappointed, in his day the circus was magical.
My inner child would definitely stop to check out the size of elephant droppings if I ever came across a circus again.
Posted by: wendy at February 26, 2007 1:38 AM
I have only been to one very small circus that travelled through our area several years ago. One ring, no elephants. Tigers that just looked sad and scared and angry--that bothered me also, since I love tigers and seeing them act like poodles just does nothing for me.
I have never taken my girls to a circus, and I probably never will. Maybe the Cirque de Soliel if I could afford it, but not the kind with clowns and acrobats. (And yes, clowns TOTALLY creep me out, too! What is the fascination with men wearing makeup anyway? It's sick, I tell you--just SICK!! *grin*)
Isn't it funny how our inner child is almost always disappointed when we get to re-experience something magical from our childhood as an adult? I don't think Yellowstone will be nearly as cool as it was when I was a kid--probably no bears begging for treats while they walk on their back feet alongside cars with their front feet hanging onto the window.... Well, maybe that's a GOOD thing! *wink* (sigh) At least we still have Disneyland....!!
Posted by: Sheri at February 26, 2007 9:24 PM
OMG, you let Princess get a stuffed clown? But...but...but clowns are *evil*! And scary! Just the thought of a stuffed clown in the house gives me a major case of the wiggins. You are a far better and stronger person than I, Alesia! (And I'm anxiously awaiting the new Alyssa Day book!)
Posted by: Dia ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.literarychicks.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at February 26, 2007 9:46 PM
Princess is far braver than me. Clowns don't scare her in the slightest. :) And thanks!! I'm anxiously awaiting, too! One week from today!!
Posted by: Alesia Holliday at February 27, 2007 11:43 AM
