But, then again, we knew all of that going in and so we had a great time. We knew it would be crowded, but we wanted the Americana of it all. And, we got it. Patriotic songs over speakers, band singers dressed up like Uncle Sam and a fireworks display to end the night.
We started our morning with designer pancakes. And, keeping with our theme of blogging, reviewing and reminiscing along the way (in hopes of increasing the kids' memories of the trip) we made pancakes in the shape of things significant to our trip. I'm no artist, but I think they guessed most of them.
Stomachs full, we headed to the park. Having already been there twice, the kids pretty much led the way.
While our weather the first first couple of days was ideal, today it was much hotter - which made us and most of the other visitors beeline for the boardwalk/waterpark area. We spent a good amount of time at the splash area and then waited a hour and a half to ride the 11th and final roller coaster - "The Roller Soaker".
Cooled down, we spent the rest of the day doing lots of family rides. And we may have another roller coaster enthusiast on our hands. After riding "The Comet" the last ride of our Friday night at the park with some dismay, Ileana suggested we all ride it again. This time, she ended it with a smile on her face!
At different moments throughout the trip, Janell & I have been forced to realize how fast they are growing up and that we no longer have any babies. Sometimes it's when we pass another family with a kid pushing one stroller with another sibling in it, a Dad pushing another stroller with a toddler and an 8 month pregnant Mom trailing behind trying to keep up. Sometimes it's even more personal -- like when all four kids could ride together on the "Coal Cracker", a good old fashioned log ride. Since it would hold only five people a decision had to be made. And the kids chose to ride alone with us following along on the next log. Sure it was fun for Janell and me to ride just the two of us, but I think both of us suffered a little heartbreak over the whole thing.
Before we knew it, the park was nearing closing time. We had just enough time to get in a family skee ball contest (which I am required to tell had Janell & Ileana tying for the victory).
The night ended with us heading out to the parking lot to watch a fantastic fireworks display. We hung out on blankets in the parking lot in absolutely no hurry to be anywhere. We just soaked up the spectacle, felt the concussion of the booms and laid down sprawled across one another. And, hopefully, given the many places of national significance we've visited, the fireworks had a little more meaning than they otherwise would have.
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