Walking through a store the other day, I saw a sign advertising a discount day at a local amusement park called Oaks Park. We haven't been there in a while, the last time was for our nephews birthday party a couple years ago. Rowan wasn't really old enough to go on rides then, but seeing how much fun they both had going on the rides at the fair got me thinking. Matthew had already scheduled the day off and we had been trying to think of something fun to do. This seemed perfect!
We headed out early in the morning, thinking that we could be some of the first ones there because it couldn't possibly be that crowded on a Friday morning. Haha. We always time things just right, and it turns out that today was the day for everyone who had done a summer reading program to cash in the coupon for a free admission that they had received. The line was long and moved very slowly, but soon enough we had ride bracelets and tickets in hand and we were ready to go!
Killian and I decided to go on the roller coaster first. I have only been on a true roller coaster one other time, a couple years ago when the kids and I went to Silverwood theme park with my brother. It was a huge wooden coaster, and it scared the pants right off me and Killian. So I was a little nervous about going on another one, but after seeing how much smaller this one was, I felt a little more confident. Even though there was a loop in it, I was sure we could handle it. We strapped in together and off we went, with Matthew and Rowan watching from down below. The first drop brought back all the reasons why I love to hate roller coasters! I hate that voice screaming in my head as I hurtle towards the ground saying "STOP! This can not possibly be safe!! Abort now or you will surely DIE"!! I hate feeling my stomach fly up into my throat, and I am always a little embarrassed at the screams that I cant quite hold in. But I *love* the feeling of flying through the air, not knowing what dip or turn is coming next, and experiencing all those crazy feelings with Killian. Plus, even though I shake like a leaf when I walk off the ride, I also feel a rush of adrenaline and am happy that I conquered something that scares me. I guess that's what keeps people going back for more! Killy and I upside down on the loop (we are the second from last):
After that we were ready for something a little tamer so we headed over to the kids section of the park. We found a roller coaster that was the perfect size for Rowan. It must have been a cake walk for Killian to ride on after that last one!
The kids also went on the frog hopper, which basically rises them up high, and bounces them down to the ground:
Looks like they were having a great time!
They went on quite a few more rides before we decided to head for some shade to cool down. It was one of the rare summer-like days, and standing in the direct sun waiting in lines was making us all a little thirsty and hot. While we were hanging in the shade, we realized that we were right next to the Go-Kart area. The kids had each gotten a ticket included in their admission price, and we bought one more for Matthew so he could drive Rowan around. Killian was so excited to drive his own car, and whizzed around the track like a pro:
Rowan had so much fun with Matthew. Later she told me "We were going so fast, faster than anyone else, even brother. And they didn't tell us who won, but I think it was us because we were so speedy"! Lol.
We took a ride up on the Ferris wheel, which was fun but a little nerve wracking because that Ferris wheel is really old. It feels quite rickety when you are stuck at the top with someone who has no fear of heights, and is very squirmy, causing your seat to rock around precariously. I was happy to be back on the ground when the ride was over!
I had enough tickets to go on one more ride with Killian, and we chose "Disc'O". It was another thrill ride, where we sat in a circle facing outwards with a bunch of people on this giant disk. The disk then spins while it swings up and down a horseshoe shaped track. It was not as bad as I thought it was going to be, and Killian and I actually had a lot of fun on it. I was tempted to go on it again, but we were all hot, tired and ready to go home. The kids cashed in their tickets for a free snow cone and we headed back towards the car. We all had such a fun time, I think that Oaks Park is going to become a regular summer destination for us. The kids certainly cant wait to go back, and Matthew and I are happy to go along for the ride(s)!
We headed out early in the morning, thinking that we could be some of the first ones there because it couldn't possibly be that crowded on a Friday morning. Haha. We always time things just right, and it turns out that today was the day for everyone who had done a summer reading program to cash in the coupon for a free admission that they had received. The line was long and moved very slowly, but soon enough we had ride bracelets and tickets in hand and we were ready to go!
Killian and I decided to go on the roller coaster first. I have only been on a true roller coaster one other time, a couple years ago when the kids and I went to Silverwood theme park with my brother. It was a huge wooden coaster, and it scared the pants right off me and Killian. So I was a little nervous about going on another one, but after seeing how much smaller this one was, I felt a little more confident. Even though there was a loop in it, I was sure we could handle it. We strapped in together and off we went, with Matthew and Rowan watching from down below. The first drop brought back all the reasons why I love to hate roller coasters! I hate that voice screaming in my head as I hurtle towards the ground saying "STOP! This can not possibly be safe!! Abort now or you will surely DIE"!! I hate feeling my stomach fly up into my throat, and I am always a little embarrassed at the screams that I cant quite hold in. But I *love* the feeling of flying through the air, not knowing what dip or turn is coming next, and experiencing all those crazy feelings with Killian. Plus, even though I shake like a leaf when I walk off the ride, I also feel a rush of adrenaline and am happy that I conquered something that scares me. I guess that's what keeps people going back for more! Killy and I upside down on the loop (we are the second from last):
After that we were ready for something a little tamer so we headed over to the kids section of the park. We found a roller coaster that was the perfect size for Rowan. It must have been a cake walk for Killian to ride on after that last one!
The kids also went on the frog hopper, which basically rises them up high, and bounces them down to the ground:
Looks like they were having a great time!
They went on quite a few more rides before we decided to head for some shade to cool down. It was one of the rare summer-like days, and standing in the direct sun waiting in lines was making us all a little thirsty and hot. While we were hanging in the shade, we realized that we were right next to the Go-Kart area. The kids had each gotten a ticket included in their admission price, and we bought one more for Matthew so he could drive Rowan around. Killian was so excited to drive his own car, and whizzed around the track like a pro:
Rowan had so much fun with Matthew. Later she told me "We were going so fast, faster than anyone else, even brother. And they didn't tell us who won, but I think it was us because we were so speedy"! Lol.
We took a ride up on the Ferris wheel, which was fun but a little nerve wracking because that Ferris wheel is really old. It feels quite rickety when you are stuck at the top with someone who has no fear of heights, and is very squirmy, causing your seat to rock around precariously. I was happy to be back on the ground when the ride was over!
I had enough tickets to go on one more ride with Killian, and we chose "Disc'O". It was another thrill ride, where we sat in a circle facing outwards with a bunch of people on this giant disk. The disk then spins while it swings up and down a horseshoe shaped track. It was not as bad as I thought it was going to be, and Killian and I actually had a lot of fun on it. I was tempted to go on it again, but we were all hot, tired and ready to go home. The kids cashed in their tickets for a free snow cone and we headed back towards the car. We all had such a fun time, I think that Oaks Park is going to become a regular summer destination for us. The kids certainly cant wait to go back, and Matthew and I are happy to go along for the ride(s)!