Monday, August 10, 2009

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.

22 comments:

  1. I love the boys nonchalant faces during the rides...you would never have known they were enjoying themselves if they weren't totally enthusiastic between each one! It was a fun day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. We've also had some fun amusement park adventures this summer. Rob decided to splurge and get passes to Lake Compounce and since it's only a 15 minute drive from our house we've been able to go for a couple of hours here and there instead of having to devote a big, tiring day to it. It's worked out great and we've all had a blast. Rob's all sad that we're going on vacation next week so this week is his last chance really to go for the year. (I think he's had more fun this summer than the kids...)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like amusement parks, but jessica has trouble on the fast ones. They make her pass out. Glad you had a good time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I haven't been on a roller coaster since I almost lost consciousness on one (it was at a 6 flags too), but my poor kids have not had the experience yet. Maybe next year you should come out here to an amusement park with us!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Reading this makes me want to go to Disneyland. Oh, and find a doctor to install a Pepsi IV.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sounds like fun! I haven't been to an amusement park in years, but my boys just hit Idlewild in Pittsburgh where Theo apparently had the time of his life!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Matthew has to be Peter's son because you would never have even got on the ride let alone have a look like you were waiting for the ride to start. He must have a stomach of iron. Glad you had fun.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Way too much fun. I love amusement parks. The best was when I could get super cheap Hershey Park season passes and we went ALL the time. I miss them!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Kirsti is so cute in that last picture! Matthew looks like he's just enjoying the view up there (1st pic). How long do you think it will be before he thinks of enjoying the view (and the freefall) from your roof? JK!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Is that the 6 Flags in Springfield? I have yet to go, but my kids are wearing me down. I'm sure by next summer we will be going as well.

    ReplyDelete
  11. emma jo It was funny, they were so excited to go, but on the rides you'd think they were almost bored to tears. Matthew asked several times to ride that particular ride again. Maybe next year.

    Amanda season passes to 6 Flags is probably in our future. This year our splurge was family passes to the Bronx Zoo.

    Gordon You'll have to just come out and go with us. We ride the fast ones with the bigger kids and the simpler ones with the littler kids so you'd both have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Davis family What is the deal with our family and passing out on roller coasters. I'm glad I didn't get that gene. I was surprised how much fun it was for the littler kids who couldn't ride the big rides yet.

    Steph Sounds like fun. I think we could make big money marketing Pepsi/Coke IV's.

    Claudia I'm glad your boys are enjoying themselves. It was a first time for all my kids but Elise (who went on a field trip there last year), they LOVED it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Tucker Mom I used to go on rides all the time at World's of Fun. Where do you think I learned about parental goading. I was, however, pretty old before I would keep my eyes open on a loop.

    Kim The whole time we lived in PA, I never went to Hershey Park. But thinking about it makes me want chocolate.

    Mary I think he is already eyeing the drop from our balcony.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Alyson Hello! I am always excited to meet fellow New England bloggers.

    It is, in fact, the 6 flags in Springfield. We really liked the variety of rides they had.
    Of course, since it has been so long since my last trip to an amusement park, I may not be the best judge of them.

    ReplyDelete
  15. So I just popped over from your post at Mormon Mommy Blogs--which by the way was HILARIOUS!!

    You have a great blog!! My family loves amusement parks. Our favorite is Disneyland. I think that I would go there everyday if I could--but that would entail an 10-11 hour drive each way. Boo!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. One of the reasons I was so excited to move back to Ohio was the amusement parks. We've got of the best here. One only a few short miles away. I had visions of season passes and hours every week spent there. It would be great.
    Of course I failed to think about the fact that I would be pregnant or nursing a baby every summer. So my dream of hours of every week spent riding roller coasters is on hold for now.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Jillene Thanks for stopping by! That would be a bit of a long drive. It took me almost 2 years to make it the 1 1/2 hours to 6 flags.

    Jeanette I always thought the same thing. Every time I had an opportunity in the last 14 years to go to an amusement park, I was pregnant and couldn't ride a roller coaster (and wasn't going to spend the money if I couldn't enjoy the rides).

    ReplyDelete
  18. What ward/stake are you in? We're in the Bloomfield ward in the Hartford stake.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Alyson I just emailed you my ward info.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Glad you went, even with the ridiculous prices for one day. Hey, the kids will probably have great memories of this. I grew up in Key West - we went to amusement parks a lot - living in florida and they were some of my favorite memories. How your husband does it - I'll never know. Can barely function without at least 4 hours. But doing that day in and out, switching nights to days? Couldn't do it!
    Gabby

    ReplyDelete
  21. so jealous. I wish we could have come!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Gabrielle- The kids will definitely remember. Even though it has been a few weeks, my 2 year old still talks about riding the big roller coasters. I don't know how my husband does it either. I got 5 hours of sleep one night and couldn't function at all the next day.

    Boyer family- maybe next year we can go together, although, your kids are still a little young, it wouldn't have been worth the cost yet. I think Joseph's (maybe even Kirsti's) age and higher is when it gets really exciting.

    ReplyDelete