There was a circus in the botanical garden

Ever since Brian was sent to Circus Smirkus on last year's Fetch with Ruff Ruffman I have wanted to go see this. It's essentially a summer camp of older high school kids who learn circus skills and perform under a big tent. No animals. Just lots of acrobatics, clowning, juggling and general merriment.

My favorite was these huge pieces of fabric. The kids (really the oldest looked 17) climbed up, hung upside down and at one point, intricately wrapped themselves then dropped quickly to the ground. They had somehow created knots to stop their falls.

If I was one of their mothers, I would've had a heart attack on the spot. Not sure I would let my kids run off to join the circus.

And who did I inflict the joys of a hot circus tent on a Saturday afternoon? My college friend of nearly 20 years (we co-hosted a 3am-6am Friday morning radio show our senior year generally after a night of dancing). She is also one of my son's godmother and truly game for anything.

The other amazing part of the day was discovering the location of the circus was a botanical garden. I had never heard of the place and we were all pleasantly surprised at the gardens, old buildings and creative play spaces.

It was an extra bonus to a lovely day.