Ava took her first trip to the circus the first weekend that Mom and Bill were in town. We went to the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus at Philips Arena. I haven’t been to the circus since I was seven, when some of the “Griffith cousins” (minus Benjamin, who lived in TN), went with Uncle Bill (a Shriner) and Aunt Lillian! This go-around, Doug wasn’t too enthused about heading to the circus. The version he remembered from his younger days was half-baked with visions of creepy “carnies” (Carnival folk).
Ava and Grandma Pam waiting in line before attending the circus
The circus has changed since I was seven. There was a huge flat screen (apropos considering we were watching at “Phillips Arena”) that flashed background movement / lights, etc. We got to watch “Bello”, a non-speaking / hair-product junkie / nice clown attempt many of the circus acts successfully. Circus clowns, elephants, tigers, dancing dogs, white and black horses, zebras, tightrope-walkers, teeterboard-acrobats, and two guys who balanced themselves in the equivalent of two flying hamster wheels on an axis. Grandma and Grandpa prepped Ava for the event with a circus-themed book that remains her favorite weeks later. Ava was entirely amazed with the first half of the circus, but by the end she seemed to be satisfied with people-watching the crowd behind our seats. J She was probably on sensory-overload, by that point.
Ringling Brothers Fun
Elephants
Elephants
Notice the "spotters" on the ground...
Craziness at great heights
Tigers
Talented tigers
We ventured to Chuck E. Cheese, where Ava really enjoyed playing in the tunnels / play area. Somehow I got conned into pushing her up the steps so she could get into the tunnels. Another little girl (about four, I’d say?) seemed to be claustrophobic, so I helped her through the tunnels. I found it interesting that my almost-two-year-old daughter was running around the tunnels at lightning speed, without any fear. There I was, 5 ½ months pregnant, crawling around in kiddie-tunnels. J Grandma Pam and Grandpa Bill also took on this responsibility when they took Ava to McDonald’s Play Place one day while I worked. Ava now requests that we go there by name, “Pay-Pace? Pay-Pace?”
Ava is very fond of Chuck...
Ava on a ride at Chuck E. Cheese
I took up residence on the steps... Ava went down the slide so fast, I just decided to stay in one spot!
We also went to the park, took lots of naps (Grandkid and grandparents alike :-)), went to Boneheads, went to the mall and rode the carousel, made heart-shaped cookies on sticks (post-Valentine’s Day festivities), enjoyed people-watching at THE BEST WAFFLE HOUSE in North America (exit 265 in Marietta, GA :-)), danced like crazy people around the living room, and just had a great time being together.
Heart-shaped cookies on sticks - Can you guess which Ava decorated?
Thank you Grandpa Bill and Grandma Pam for making the trek down to see us! We love you, and always enjoy our time together. Since your visit, Ava continues to ask for “Grandpa? Grandpa?”, and has pointed to different seats at our breakfast table and at our guest bedroom, asking for “Grandpa? Grandma?” She misses you!
With love,
Shelly, Doug and Ava
