Under the Big Top

It has been an exciting three days with Zirkus Krawalli! 

Friday morning, the school performed for the local kindergarten school. Melanie and Marie also attended this performance and were able to sit in the front row. I arrived early to get pictures during the break of Emmie with the white pony and the director invited me to stay for the remaining portion.

During lunch, Emmie nonchalantly informed me she would like to work in the circus when she gets older. She does not have to work with the animals again and if there are too many clowns, she stated she could be on the trapeze or an acrobat.

All of the excitement caught up with the girls as they both took naps between the shows.

In the early evening, I attended the show to film the girls performances. I could tell the children were a little tired from this experience as they were not as energized and focused during their acts. 

Unfortunately, Adeline's group dropped their rings a few times when they were tossing them back and forth. Adeline told me at the break it was because the parents clapped and they lost their concentration. Adeline snacked on cotton candy and a slushy during the break. 

Emmie had another great performance. At the end, she was sad because she heard the parents laughing when she flew into the air. Once I told her it was a fun laugh due to what the pony did to make her fly and not at her, she felt better. It was  still another good performance for the full house. Afterwards, Emmie enjoyed her circus treat of cotton candy and a slushy.

Saturday morning was the final performance. There was much excitement in our house and we were out the door early so we could get good seats.  Adeline was perfect in her solo performances with hula hooping, juggling, and with her partner in tossing the rings. She had a huge smile as she walked off the main floor area. 

During the break, we learned Emmie brushed the pony and cared for the pony before each of act. Adeline held a huge snake this time that was in one of the circus acts. She stated it was just about little lighter than Emmie and surprised it was not slimy.

It was Emmie's turn for her performance. I think she may have flown the highest in this performance. She was all smiles when she was done tetter -tottering with the pony and did her curtsy. 

The entire performance was flawless. The excitement and energy for the final gathering of the children in the main area was overflowing as was the applause from the audience. When the show was over with, we enjoyed champagne and cake as the tent was taken down.

 We are all sad the circus project week has come to an end, but the experience and memories will be unforgettable.

Circus of the Stars

With the early evening Premiere show of Zirkus Krawalli, the afternoon could not go fast enough for Adeline and Emmie. After hair-dos and make-up, the girls were off and running to school to finish getting ready for the big performance.

Adeline informed me where Melanie, her boys, and I should sit in the tent to get the best possible viewing of her and Emmie. We were able to get these seats and we waited for the show to begin. 

The music started and the children started entering the tent. Adeline's group was the third group to enter and she walked right by us with a huge smile. Emmie's group sat on the opposite side of us, but once she sat down, she spotted us across the ring.

The excitement was tremendous and positive energy was already over flowing for this performance and it had not even started yet. However, once the ringmaster appeared, one could hear a pin drop.

After the black light show and pirate act, Adeline's group was up. She first did hula hooping for quite some time. Then she exchanged rings among a foursome which required lots of concentration. Her final act was juggling two rings alone. Afterwards she took a huge bow with her group and ran along the ring waving good-bye.

There was one more act and then a fifteen minute break. The girls joined us for a hotdog snack and a few pictures as this was the first time I got to fully see them in costume.

Emmie's act followed the break. She walked with her group into the main stage area and gave in an initial bow with the other children who also worked with the ponies. She then returned to the back part to hold a goat while the goats and ponies did some acts together. When it was her turn, she walked to the teeter-totter.The white pony lowered it for her to get on. Once on, the pony stepped backwards and popped her in the air. Her and the pony went back and forth like this a few times. 

She stayed poised and focused throughout her act and the audience laughed and cheered as I do not think they were expecting her to be popped up as she was. When it was over, she curtsied to the crowd and returned to her spot near the goats. When the act was over with, she took a bow with her group and waved good-bye to the audience as they departed.

Incorporating the entire school body into this performance and having everyone participate was well choreographed. Some of the other acts were on a trapeze, using fire, involving acrobatic moves, and of course a few clown acts. I give Adeline's teacher tons of credit as she helped nine children along with the trainer carry a huge snake out into the ring.

The two hour show was fantastic and amazing. It was such a fun and joyful environment. I  am very proud of Adeline and Emmie on their excellent performances tonight. I am very grateful and thankful they have been given the opportunity to participate in Zirkus Krawalli. 

Zirkus Krawalli

The Steinberg school is participating in a week long circus project. The tent went up on Sunday morning in the open field next to the school.  Two miniature ponies are roped off in the  field area  next to the tent and can be seen on our walk to school. It is simply amazing that a circus is in the middle of a neighborhood.  I am thankful that the neighbors and city government gave permission for it to occur so this wonderful experience could take place here in Hofheim. 

For me, this is going to be a juggling act as the school days this week have been shortened to two hours and 45 minutes as they have to allow for the performance times at the end of the week. There are four scheduled performances which begin on Thursday evening and end on Saturday morning.

Monday morning, the children gathered in the tent and the circus performers did a short performance to show the kids what they will be doing this week in their respective groups. The children will spend Monday thru Thursday mornings practicing their act. They  were given a cd of the circus songs as a gift from the circus team. 

Adeline will be performing a few acts in her group. She will be hula-hooping, juggling, and exchanging rings with a partner. 

Emmie is in the pet group.  She learned she is doing an act with the white miniature pony.

On Tuesday morning, everyone began practicing their act. The girls are super excited about this and are trying not to share what they are learning as they want it to be a surprise for us. Adeline is practicing in the school's music room and Emmie is in the tent. Emmie has shared with us she is teeter- tottering with the pony and goats are also present. 

Wednesday they tried on their costumes and are feeling more confident with their acts. In addition, I can hear them humming the theme song or play the songs in their room when the door is closed.

Thursday morning, we received news that the circus project was in the local paper. I purchased it for the girls to have as a keepsake. Upon arriving home, they pointed out that Emmie was in the picture on the front page telling where the entire story could be found later in the paper.

This evening is the Premiere and we are super excited for Adeline and Emmie's debut in Zirkus Krawalli.