The Big Let Down

The circus is in Raleigh this week.  Nana read in the paper that they would be bringing the animals in tonight at the RBC and that the public was welcome to attend.  So off we went.  Nana, Bec, Me and all five kids.  And we really built this adventure up.  We said they would see elephants, zebras, tigers and lions.  Needless to say, they were more than excited.

So there we were.  Standing in the parking lot for 45 minutes searching for the first glimpse of any kind of animal.  It was getting cold...Cannon didn't feel good...Sam was throwing rocks...Landry kept saying, "Where Mama?"...and Cade was losing his patience, fast.

We heard someone say, "Here they come."  We all stood at attention, got the kids pointed in the right direction and sure enough we saw elephants coming down the road.  The boys were pumped.  Five elephants marched by in a line and we watched intently.  Next...horses.  Maybe six or seven.  And as we looked to see if the lions or tiger were next we saw it...Nothing.  Absolutely nothing.  That was it.  Five elephants and a handful of horses.  Thirty seconds...tops.

Sam didn't care.  Jack and Landry didn't notice.  Cannon said nothing.  But then it happened.  The break down.  Cade realized it was over...proceeded to roll his eyes and tell us that was "the stupidest parade" he had ever seen.  Mama gave me the look of "Let's get out of here," trying her hardest not to laugh.  He fussed as he walked to the car, asking over and over, "Is that it?"  As he was getting in the car, a very energetic, positive Dad in the minivan next to us said loudly as he was buckling his kids in, "That was AWESOME, wasn't it boys?"  To which Cade responded LOUDLY, "WHAT?  He said this was awesome.  Are you kidding me? NO IT WAS NOT!  This was the dumbest parade I've EVER seen."

We buckled them in..fast.  And we left...fast.  Apparently, Ally had to tell Cade a story about someone stealing the animals so he would let it go...an elaborate story about someone getting on the train and getting all the animals...except the elephants and horses. Circus robbers are on the run with a lot of wild animals...but Cade Lee is content.  

The anticipation...

and the let down...