Last Friday we surprised the kids with a trip to Idlewild, a local amusement park. On Thursday when they asked what we were doing tomorrow (like they ALWAYS do), we told them we were going on a "surprise adventure." Colin quickly discerned that we were going to the Children's Museum. Gillian guessed that we were going into the city to get a lemonade. Hmmmm. We just let them mull it over all night long! In fact, we didn't tell them where we were going until they were buckled in the car.
Now, they were greased up with sunscreen and we had packed a huge picnic lunch, but they were STILL convinced we were going to the Children's Museum. So finally we told them, "We are going to
IDLEWILD!" We got immediate HUGE grins and a long "WOOOOOAAAAAHHHHH" from Colin. They were pleased.
The rides open at 11:30 and that's just about when we got there. So first up we ate some lunch. Well, Daddy, Gillian, and I ate some lunch. Colin kept taking two bites and saying he was done.
Ok, finally it was to have SOME FUN. First we hit the log plume ride and then the ball bit. Gillian loved the ball pit last year and, boy, she did again this year. She was in HEAVEN. The pictures were just the kids in line, the netting prevented any "inside" pictures! I wish I would have gotten one of G's smile though.
Next up Colin spotted the HUGE shaky bridge and accompanying climbing "stuff" and he was off like a rocket. He was about 20 feet ahead of us for a while. Finally we had to sit him down and explain the "stay WITH US" rule. A picture of his BIG, favorite bridge.
We wandered over in the "old" park that has most of the "big" rides in it. What's nice about Idlewild though is that even most the "big" rides are approved for kids 36" or taller with an adult rider. The kids pretty much had their pick of rides! We started with the balloon ride that we could all ride together.
(The only picture of me from the entire day. Notice my super chic sunglasses "rope." I just got new, EXPENSIVE prescription sunglasses and I was terrified that they would fly off on the rides. So I swallowed my fashion pride and tied them to my head.)
Colin really, really wanted to ride the ferris wheel. Gillian did not. So Colin and I rode the ferris wheel and Daddy and G took a ride on the Paratrooper. It took FOREVER to load (and then unload) the ferris wheel and we only got about a 45 second ride in between. So, skipping that next year. Colin and I did take some NICE pictures up top though!
Look, Daddy and Sissy!
Then we headed for "kiddie land" for some more fun! First up was the bumper cars. I have no idea where the kids saw or heard about bumper cars, but they KNEW they HAD to ride them. It was funny to see them try to push the "go pedal" and "turn the wheel" at the same time. They weren't very effective, but they did move and bump a bit!
BIG smiles on that ride!
Then lots more fun!
Added bonus at Idlewild this summer: Live Thomas the Train Show. Although, in our opinion: very, very lame. Just awful. Even Colin, lover of all things Thomas, was ready to leave after a few minutes.
(Michael's pained expression)
We had more fun riding the "real" train that acts as sort of a transportation system from one side of the park to the other. We were headed back the car to get our swim gear so we could get wet!
The "engineer" warns of "two loud toots" of the train's whistle. The kids took him seriously.
We picked our swim stuff and left the camera in the car....but we had a great time in the water! Last year it was so incredibly hot (upper 90s) when we were there that this year (low 80s) it felt kind of COLD in the water! In fact, the wave pool was too cool for the kids. They didn't even make it through one set of waves! They did enjoy the "kiddie pool" and some little water slides. And Gillian sunned herself like a lizard on a lounge chair.
By that time we had two tired kiddos. So we got dressed again rode the carousel and Tilt-a-whirl and scarfed a funnel cake (yum) and headed for home. We all had a fantastic day. Happy kids, beautiful weather, and a great time together!
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