Sunday Smiles: At The Circus

It seems to be that catching the Circus Smirkus show while it's in town has become a bit of a tradition for us each summer. Today was our third Smirkus show and I do think it's safe to say it's one of our favorites (the first one that we saw-back in 2012- was our most favorite of the three we've now seen). The amount of talent that the troupers posses really is incredible! When it comes to circus arts these kids set the bar super high, and this year was surely no exception. The hard work that the kids and staff put into this show was totally evident (it always is). It's amazing what they can accomplish in the three weeks they have in Vermont before they hit the road for the rest of the summer! The girls have hopes of attending Smirkus Camp someday soon (we had tried to get them in for this summer but everything was full from the minute registration opened), and I know that they hope to be able to be part of the traveling troupe one day too. What an amazing experience that would be! xo

After the show with the Sea Queen. 

Circus Smirkus!

Saturday brought with it gorgeous weather and what has now become our annual trip to Circus Smirkus! We went for the first time last year and had such a great time that we decided to make it a yearly thing. The girls have been looking forward to this day since the minute the show ended last year, and after much waiting the day had finally arrived!

Waiting for the show to begin. 

This year's theme was Oz Incorporated. 

The talent that these kids have is just outstanding!

With Glinda. 

With Toto. 

From a Yankee Magazine article about Circus Smirkus. 

The Troupers did a wonderful job and the show was fabulous! The girls are now back to asking when we can go back and have both started to talk about heading to Smirkus camp next summer too. Looks like there may be a trip to Vermont in our future for next summer! If you haven't been to Circus Smirkus yet we highly recommend it. Though I have to warn you, it will make you want to become a Smirko too!

Circus Smirkus

Today, along with Dave's parents, we met up with my parents, Kaitlyn and Eric to take the girls to their first circus!  We thought it would be a fun way to celebrate Mom's birthday, Dave's birthday and Grace's birthday (we would have celebrated my brother's birthday too but he was unable to join our adventure today).  We usually do a big July Birthday Celebration but this year we decided to do something a little different.  Instead of a gathering at our house we went to see Circus Smirkus instead! It was the first time any of us attended this absolutely amazing show.  For those that don't know about Circus Smirkus you can learn more about it here.  For the Reader's Digest version basically Circus Smirkus is a circus camp for kids in Vermont.  There is also a traveling troupe (for kids ages 11-18) who are part of their big top tour each year.  The troupe travels around New England (with a couple of shows in Upstate New York, as well) beginning and ending each tour in Vermont.  

When we first entered we were told that the girls could sit right near the ring (how cool is that?!).  At first they said "no, thanks" and came to sit with us.  After checking out the big top they decided that they wanted to find a spot ringside (hence why the above picture is the only picture of them you'll see until the very end of this blogpost). 

And in my next life I am so going to learn to do this! 

At the end of the show the audience was invited into the ring to meet the performers.  The amount of talent that these kids posses is outstanding!  The girls were so excited to get to go in the ring and asked if we could go find Cleopatra.  We did and she was so sweet to take a picture with them!  

We now have two little girls who are dreaming about going to Circus Smirkus camp (and many of us big kids that want to go too).  They have been chatting all about the circus and how awesome it was and how they want to learn to do so many of the things they saw today (especially flying on the trapeze)!  They have been tossing their beautiful crowns around and catching them while spinning.  There is lots of cirucs play going on!  The whole time we were watching I kept picturing Grace and Emma out there.  I know we'll see them there someday. And I can't wait. I'm looking forward to it already!