Our Circus Hits The Big Top

It was our first nice weekend.  The skies were blue. The birds were singing and even the sun decided to warm us with its rays.  Everyone on our block was outside basking in this first taste of spring weather.  Everyone, except my family.

While my husband grumbled about spending the day indoors and how we needed to, "Leave NOW!" as he stood impatiently by the front door. I was trying my best to soothe a child who only wanted to play outdoors with her friend and not go run errands and then hit the Big Apple Circus.  The morning had been spent rushing around cleaning the house, tying up loose ends with both kids clawing at our heels.  No one was happy.  Everyone wanted out and yet our attitudes were making it hard to even get out the door much less want to spend a day together as a family, circus or no circus.  We finally left the house in a hurry only to have to backtrack to pick up the forgotten diaper bag, sippy cups, camera and snacks for later in the day. Once we got on the road everyone seemed to relax as the sun-filled sky shepherded us on our way from store to store.  We drove through new neighborhoods and saw parts of our area that were completely new to us.  We had time to blow this afternoon before the big top event as we lazily made our way to Dulles Town Center. 

It was two hours before the circus was set to begin and we were all there standing in front of the big, blue tent. Now what.  We didn't know the area. We glanced across the street and noticed Hadley Playground. We spent a good hour or more just letting the girls run wild.  After being cooped up in shopping carts and car seats for most of the morning this was ideal.  The soft playground floor was springy beneath our tired feet and the slides, paths and multiple hiding spots re-energized the girls.  Finally, the sun began to turn golden and set.  We realized it was time to make our way to the circus. 

We found our way to our seats in the darkened tent and settled in for the show.  As we munched on popcorn acrobats did flips, dancing horses paraded around the ring, dogs did tricks and Bello the clown made his triumphant return to the big top.  At intermission my husband turned to me and said, "This blows Ringling Brothers circus right out of the water."   He was right.  Our seats were fantastic but it seemed no matter where you sat this one ring circus offered a good view.  Each act captivated adults and kids of all ages and time flew by.  As we made our way out from under the big top we felt the night air's chill and my daughter turned to me and said with wonder, "The sky is dark.  It's night time."  The kids straggled back to the car and easily let themselves be buckled into their car seats.  There was no impatience or crying about missing a play date this time around.  They were both asleep before we even left the circus parking lot. 

What had started out as a three-ring circus of a day with bad moods all around ended up being a relaxing family day filled with sunshine, outdoor play and a tent filled with entertainment.  We could not have asked for a better ending to a rocky day. 

Original DC Metro Moms post.  Victoria blogs daily about her own circus act at The Mummy Chronicles where more about the Big Apple can be found.