one happy valley

This is our second year joining a group of friends for a late August trip to the theme park.  As the kids get older and taller this day just gets more fun for everyone.  I'm still too chicken to attempt doing this on my own but with Anna it was easy.  

I have such clear memories of last year, Lydia waiting in line to ride the swings and when she finally got to the front the ride operator stood her next to the height marker and gave a merciless "too short".  The tears started and her blond curls quivered but the operator stood firm.  No riding for Lydia.  [In defense of the ride operator Lydia was ever so slightly under the height requirement and she knew it was possible she'd be turned away, but it was still a sad moment.]

Well this year there were no lines (yay!) and when Lydia trotted to the front and the ride operator pulled her aside to check her against the height marker she stood tall and proud and knew she was tall enough!  

[The swings were our third ride and I was already wondering how I would ever attempt this without Anna.  We split into two groups for the ferris wheel and here at the swings she rode with the girls while I comforted John Paul who was heartbroken to learn that he was too short :)  ha!  He missed the requirement by about 25 centimeters!  It'll be a while, buddy.]

No worries, there was plenty of fun for all children of all heights.

Yes, they all wore their tie-dye and Yes, it was amazingly helpful. [thanks Caroline!] I made the decision on behalf of the little boys but gave all three older kids the option of tie-dye or no.  They all chose to join the crowd.  I know these days won't last and I'm thankful for them while they are still here!

Did I mention the park was not even one bit crowded, and it stayed overcast all day long, making for nice coolish temperatures?

We weren't the only family with small fry at the theme park :)

We all got in our fill of thrill - the littles riding the tea cups and carousel, Anna and some others on the craziest fastest rides :)  And when it was time to call it a day, Luke got the best ride of all.  Out to the parking lot on Anna's shoulders :)

Neither of the girls are big roller coaster riders, the only one they are tall enough for is pretty tame (and they weren't so sure they enjoyed that one!).  But maybe that'll change before next year.  Isaac tends to ride everything he's tall enough for, none of which involves much tossing and turning.  He and his buddy Zeb rode this cool airplane ride over and over and over again, Zeb just tall enough and Isaac not quite but he managed to wiggle his way on once and after that it wasn't like anyone could stop him!