Sunday, August 3, 2008

Had a wonderful weekend

The kids haven't seen their Uncle Michael in a long time and Aunt Mandi wanted to take them to Cat Tales so we all went up to Cheney this weekend. Saturday Mandi took us to Riverfront Park and bought the kids a day pass for unlimited rides at the park. The first ride was on the 100-year-old Looff Carousel.

Photobucket
The kids were going to go on by themselves but Ellie started to get a little scared so I went with them.

Photobucket

Neither of the kids wanted to ride on a horse that moves so we sat on the Chinese bench.

Photobucket

Photobucket
After three tries this is the best picture of her because Miss Thing looks around at everything for a fear of missing something.

Photobucket

Hayden was off to try the Sizzler by himself

Photobucket
He was trying really hard to not move and get pushed into the corner. He was very intense. But once he realized it wasn't a big deal to be in the corner and he wasn't going to go anywhere... he relaxed.

My camera battery died and Mandi did not have her camera with her so the following events do not have pictures to accompany them. Too bad because it would of been hilarious!

The kids then went on to the bounce house, which they loved, and then Ellie became brave and wanted to join her brother on the roller coasters. Since all the roller coasters had a stipulation that the child had to be 42" tall to ride or be accompanied by an adult... I was worried on whether she would be allowed on with Hayden being her escort... but there were no problems!

She braved the Dragon roller coaster and even put her hands up on part of the ride but she quickly put them down as the coaster jolted her. It wasn't a relaxing ride by any means... she had a death grip on the bar and had the scared-to-death look on her face. All the while I am clinching my chest hoping that she is not going 'pop' out of the seat and fall off and then have her be the headlining story for the local news. (Being a mother is stressful)


The next ride they went on was a more subdued airplane ride and then Hayden wanted to do the bumper cars but Ellie wasn't able to do it because the cars are only a one seater and she is not big enough to do it on her own. A big melt down ensued.

The last ride of the day was the Tilt-A-Whirl. I was trying to discourage Ellie from getting on but she wanted to ride it with her brother. The poor thing is so small that she was basically laying down holding the bar as strong as she could while Hayden is laughing and woohoo having the time of his life. When she exited the ride she was shaking her hands because they hurt, most likely due to the white knuckle grip she had on the bar, but it only took her about 30 seconds to recover and then she was talking about how much fun it was. My little dare devil!

To end the trip at Riverfront Park the kids went on the HUGE Radio Flyer wagon that is 12' High and 27' Long. The handle is a slide. There are monkey bars on the underside of the wagon. Ellie absolutely loved it! I wish my camera battery didn't go belly up on me. It would of been some cute pictures.

Photobucket

Photobucket
Mandi and I did a great job on tiring the kids out.... what am I saying... we were pretty tired too! hahaha

Today Mandi and Michael tooks us to Cat Tales Zoological Park. They had lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! HA! I couldn't resist. We really enjoyed looking at the big cats. Their markings are beautiful. They look so peaceful that I felt I could walk in their cage and give them a big hug although I know that would not be the smartest thing to do.

Photobucket

Photobucket
Golden Bengal Tiger

Photobucket
The Tigers were magnificent looking

Photobucket
I couldn't get enough of them

Photobucket
Royal White Bengal Tiger

Photobucket
Asian Leopard

Photobucket
African Lion

Photobucket
Black Panther

Photobucket
American Black Bear

PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket
Mandi spotted their food freezers. Check out the labels. HA!

Photobucket
The people who run this park have a great sense of humor

Photobucket
Mandi and Michael (happy b-day Michael)

Photobucket
Ellie and Hayden (Hayden being a typical boy and giving Ellie bunny ears)

Photobucket
Mandi looking cute

Photobucket
I am not sure why they have this gorilla statue...hmmm

Photobucket
This picture is for Jessica... Mandi saw it and insisted that Jessica would love it. Of course she would... they are elephants. ;-)

This ended our most wonderful visit with Mandi and Michael and we had to go back to the apartment and pack up to head home. Hayden went into melt down mode and was very tearful and wouldn't even give Mandi or Michael a hug goodbye. He wanted to stay another night. Oh how he loves his aunt and uncle. Thanks you guys for showing a fantastic time. We surely enjoyed it.











3 comments:

Edward Charles said...

WOW !!!!!! That sounded like so much fun. I wish I could have been there. I am getting very excited about y'all coming down and cannot wait to see y'all.

Unknown said...

It was hard for us to say goodbye too! Always so much fun to have you guys up here. What a great weekend! Can't wait to see you again!

Anonymous said...

Good for people to know.