Happy Birthday Punky!

Today is Punky's 2nd birthday. To mark the occasion, we spent the day at his Grandmother's and Cousin Andrew's house, where we had lunch, ate birthday cake and opened presents. Then we headed over to the HP Pavillion in San Jose to watch the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus performance.

I was pleased (and even shocked!) that both Russell and Punky sat in their chairs for the entire 2-hour performance. They were both mesmorized by the circus acts, and at times laughed out loud and danced to the loud music accompanying the performances. Perhaps this is a good sign of things to come.

The circus has changed a lot since my parents took me to see it at Madison Square Garden nearly 40 years ago. There are a lot fewer animal acts and more with human performers similar to Cirque du Soleil. And now, most of the performers are now from China and Russia. However, they still have the trademark elephant show and the scary motorcyclists in the 18-foot diameter "Globe of Death". It was a good day that we wrapped up with dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant with the family.

Happy birthday, Punky!


Punky: "Is that liitle thing my birthday cake?


Punky: "Now that's a birthday cake!"


Punky to Russell: "Is there enough for both of us?"


Punky eagerly awaits the first slice


Punky: "Now that's some cake! Give me a glass of milk to wash it down, please!"


The Birthday Posse


Punky's mom unwraps his birthday presents


Cousin Andrew hands Punky his present


Punky's present: "It's a bouncing Tigger!"