Circus Circus!

And the circus was in town once again! 
This was another of "Ramsey's Firsts", as he had never been to the circus before.   Last year, Eric and I were in Cabo and the year before that, he was two and we didn't think he'd sit for too much of it.

Eric, Ramsey, and I ventured out on Friday to the Shrine Circus.  It started off well, as the first thing we ran into when we arrived was a concession stand selling nothing but light-up swords, staffs, blasters, and other crazy fun toys.   Ramsey scored a sword and a blaster, so he was happy.

 When we sat down, they had pony and elephant rides set up.  My heart sunk, thinking we should have went inside earlier so Ramsey could get a ride.  Bummer.

 When the show started, everyone waved their light-up toys and the place went wild.  Admittedly, I got a little excited.

 The disco ball made the entire place glitter like sequins.  

 The first act after all of the chaos was the tiger act which included three regular tigers and one white tiger.  The white tiger seemed to be there "just for looks", as he didn't do much, but sit on his stool.  He was one cool cat though!

There were also many aerial acts (no trapeze).

 And a contortionist/balancer who shot a balloon with a bow and arrow, using her feet.

 Many juggling acts were spread out through the show.  Ramsey really liked the jugglers (he's always asking Daddy to juggle the dryer balls at home!).

At intermission, there was the usual reprieve and we had another opportunity to get Ramsey an animal ride.  Before we went to the floor, we'd asked Ramsey if he'd rather ride the ponies or the elephants.  No question, he wanted a pony ride.

When we got to the main level (omigosh, what a madhouse CLUSTER down there! ugh!), I wanted to show him the elephants close-up, so he could see what marvelous beautiful creatures they were.  I asked him again if he'd rather have a pony ride or an elephant ride.  With a spirited answer, he had changed his mind and wanted the elephant ride!  So, off we went to stand in line to get a ticket.... then stand in line to get into the elephant line.  Oye.

He stood so well in the lines (I marveled, thinking he'd be a crazy man) and I was very proud of his behavior.   We met a little boy and a little girl in line and he made quick friends with them.  He was able to ride behind them on the elephant.

They only went around two times, but Ramsey enjoyed it so much!  I was a bit shocked that he didn't squirm or feel fearful at all; it's quite high up there!

 The elephants were beautiful creatures.

 After intermission, the elephant act was on stage.

 There were more jugglers and aerial acts, then the grand finale, the "Sphere of Death".  Ramsey called it "The Death Star" (like in Star Wars).  He took his blaster and was "shooting the Death Star down" like Luke Skywalker.  As the motorcycles revved their engines, Ramsey had to put on his earphones, as he has a low tolerance for that much noise.

 They had two, then three, then four motorcycles in that tiny orb.  At one point, Ramsey took his glasses and put them down on his nose, looking at the act over the top of his spectacles (like a little old man!) in amazement and was like "whoah".

Another great first for Ramsey.  It's so heart-warming and fun to watch Ramsey with each new enjoyable experience.  Loved it!