The Greatest Show on Earth

On Thursday night we took Mia to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at the Arena. Thanks to Aunt Sue, we got free tickets for the circus and were invited to the pre-party. We ate hot dogs, chips, cookies, fruit etc. and got free beach balls and red clown noses. Here we are with our silly noses. The show didn't end until after 10:00 p.m. Mia lastest the entire time which surprised us. Of course, she fell asleep on the way home and slept in the next morning. We had a great time watching the show and her reactions to the animals and performances.

Here's Mia with one of the dancers who climbs up the rope and twirls around above you. Mia made her hat and had the performer sign her beach ball. This was part of the party.....some of the performers came around and took pictures with the kids and autographed beach balls and programs.

WHERE'S RYAN??? Ryan didn't want to go down to the floor for the pre-show party. He stayed in his seat and watched from upstairs so, we took a picture of him from the floor. (He's the in the 5th row from the bottom, 6th seat from your right).

As part of the pre-show party, we were allowed a half hour before the show started to go down to the floor and interact with the circus performers. We watched the clowns juggle and dance, other performers do acrobats through tiny rings, and an elephant came out and danced. Here's Mia ready to shake the clowns hand who danced and entertained the crowd. Mia shook her booty and waved her hands in the air as he did.....it was funny! And, the best part was that she said she was no longer afraid of clowns....she didn't want to go near them when we first got to the Arena. We'll see what happens when we go to the Shriners Circus in November.

Here's Mia ready for Act 2 wearing her top hat she got with a bag of cotton candy during intermission.