It had its Ups, it had its Downs, it had its Corkscrews: 6 Flags

I almost felt like I was attending a confessional as I stood in line for the roller coaster. "Forgive me, it has been 14 years since my last ride." My last time I was 18. It was (at the time) the longest drop in a roller coaster and could be found in Nevada, where friends and I visited to attend our friend's missionary farewell. At the time I was unaware that it was also my roller coasting farewell. I had recently started dating my husband and the next several summers I would be too broke, pregnant, or busy (often all 3) to go to an amusement park.

A couple weeks ago our friends invited us to 6 Flags. When I called Peter to ask if he'd like to go, he dropped what he was doing to pick up discount tickets offered to the hospital staff. (Don't worry, it was office work he dropped, not a patient.) He called to tell me the price was $26/ticket. I was much relieved that he would get a discount from such a ridiculous price, until he informed me that WAS the discounted price. My cheapness, however, was overcome by the guilt of not attended an amusement park for so long. Unfortunately, that evening, after coming home from out latest misadventure, Peter found that the night shift doctor had called in sick. Guess who filled the shift? Guess who wasn't going to waste the $200 of tickets we just bought?

Despite the under 2 hours of sleep on Peter's part, we were able to have a great time (red bull and an IV of diet coke helped). My youngest rode every ride available to him without breaking a sweat. He didn't even break into a adrenaline boosted frightened face. I mean isn't that why I payed the big bucks, to watch my kids be terrified? The other kids were a little more cautious (although Ryan rode the biggest, baddest roller coaster with his dad).

After much goading (at least my oldest allowed me some parental pleasure) Elise agreed to ride a roller coaster with my friend and me- and Ryan, who was an expert rider after riding with his dad and wanted to ride as many of the scary coasters as possible. We wanted to ride the biggest one, but didn't want to wait 2.5 hours in line, so settled for 2nd best. It was great! After Elise worried all through the line, all through the loading and strapping, and all through the initial slow ride upward, she laughed hysterically the rest of the way through. We've cured her of her fear of amusement park rides. I was also greatly relieved to end my roller coaster dry streak.

We had a blast. I didn't even throw a tantrum at the price of the food we bought. I did make the 8 of us split 4 combo meals, though, so I felt a little better. It was a lot of fun to attend with friends so there were more adults to watch the kids and still an option for adult conversation while waiting in the long lines. I think we have a new summer tradition. Next year Ethan will be tall enough to ride the big coasters and I'm hoping Matthew grows up enough to know he should be scared of large drops and heights while Elise and Ryan grow up enough to remember they shouldn't.