Six Flags!

A few weeks ago, we went to Six Flags for the day. Originally everybody wanted to go to White Water but I just didn't think there would be much to do there for Bryson since he can't swim. I know that they have a kiddie area but with those kind of places being full of people during the Summer, I was so worried that something would happen to him in the crowd. Call me paranoid or overprotective, but I just didn't think it was a good idea. We looked online to see what all kinds of stuff Bryson could do at Six Flags and he was tall enough for a lot of things. So we loaded up early one Saturday morning with Lola, Lisa, Paul and Eli and headed for what we called "Super Silly Fun Land"! Bryson loved it! He still talks about and is constantly asking to go back. Maybe next summer. It was the perfect day to go. Normally the end of July in the South is crazy hot so I thought we would all get sunburned and be super hot all day. The day was overcast and the temperature was nice. I don't think I broke a sweat all day! I forgot how long the lines were there. I had no desire to ride any roller coasters so I was fine doing the things Bryson could do. I don't have a fear of roller coasters and used to love them as a kid but I guess since I've gotten older and become a mom, I've become a little more paranoid. I'm so worried that something would happen to the ride or that I wouldn't be strapped in the right way, so I just stay away from them. We started out in the kiddie area. Bryson didn't know what to think of his first ride. I don't even know what it was called but they strapped the kids in and it went up really high and would come back down really fast, then it would just go up and down over and over again. His face was priceless. He loved it!

 Patiently waiting in line for his first ride!

 Ready to go!

 He was up really high!

 He kept making this face, trying not to smile.

 He couldn't hold it in though! He was so happy!

After that ride, he wanted to ride the airplanes. He liked this one too. The airplanes just went up really high and spun around. After that, he wanted to ride the big trucks. We waited in line forever for those. I'm not sure why the line was so long for that and none of the other rides because all it did was go around a track. Nothing exciting but Bryson loved it and that's all that matters.

 He was so excited about this ride.

 So handsome!

 Ready to go!

 He was so cute holding his arms up.

 You can't really see him, but I love seeing his cute little hands holding on.

 All finished!

 He couldn't wait for this truck to go!

Since it took so long for Bryson to ride those few rides, we decided to all go do Thunder River together then head to the car for lunch. When we got to the line it said it would be an hour before we got to the ride. Thankfully it didn't take that long. This was the only ride that I really cared to do so I wanted to sit with Bryson. It was so much fun. At first we avoided getting wet. We were just rocking on the waves. Bryson thought it was hilarious. Then the boat turned around and we went into a big dip backwards and got soaked right before the waterfall. I remember getting wet on this ride but not that much! Thankfully we were heading back to the car for lunch after that and thankfully I remembered to pack us all an extra pair of clothes.There was no way we could walk around in those clothes all. We then headed to the car and enjoyed some yummy sandwiches and chips before heading back. I knew that I wanted to take Bryson to their little water park so I changed him into his swimsuit so he would be more comfortable.

 Waiting in line for Thunder River.

 He was so soaked and too bashful to pose for a picture.

 I'm not too sure why he looks so unhappy here because he loved it!

After lunch we knew Bryson was tired. We decided to walk back to the park pushing him in the stroller so he would fall asleep. We were successful! This was a good time for everybody else to ride the roller coasters while he slept. We found a nice shaded place to sit that was right under a roller coaster. He didn't move! You would think that sitting under a roller coaster would have woken him up but he was out! Robert, Lisa and Paul went to get in line for a roller coaster. They weren't gone that long. The line was way too long so they decided to get a fast past so they could skip the lines. It sounded like a good idea but the system that they have for it is kind of crazy so I think it ended up being a waste of money. You have to sign up for the ride you want. It gives you a certain time and that's when you go get in line. I thought it would be if you had the fast past you just got in a separate line that was shorter. To me that makes more sense then standing around waiting to be paged for a ride. I think they ended up using it twice, maybe three times. After Bryson's nap, we headed to the arcade section to try and win him a giant minion. All you had to do was get the ring around the bottle and you won. I don't know how many times we played that game or how much money was wasted but it was impossible! We gave up and headed to the little water park for kids called Skull Island. This was Bryson's favorite part of the whole day. We let him play there while Lisa and Paul went to ride a roller coaster. I think he would have stayed longer but while him and Eli were in line for a water slide, this giant bucket of water got dumped on him and he freaked out. I'm not talking about a little bit of water. It was a ton! After he dried off some, we wanted to go to the log ride. I think this was the only thing Eli wanted to do all day, and my second favorite thing to do. We thought Bryson would have loved it and we thought he did, until we saw the picture of us coming down the big hill. He looked terrified! I didn't want to buy the picture because I felt bad that I scared him, but now I wish I would have. His face was priceless! We were determined to win Bryson that minion so we headed back to the arcade to try again; and again no luck. So Robert, Lisa, Paul and Eli all decided to play the same game so it would be a guarantee prize for Bryson. Eli was so proud to win it and give it to him. I honestly think that was the highlight of his day. After that, Robert and Paul rode one more roller coaster before the park closed and we headed home. It was so late when we left that the only place open for dinner was waffle house. It was quite the experience! We had so much fun on this little mini vacation and I can't wait to take Bryson back; hopefully next year!!!

 Napping under the roller coaster.

 Having fun at Skull Island!

 Time to dry off!

 Cute little caterpillar!

 "Bye Super Silly Fun Land!"

4th of July

I always look forward to the 4th of July for many reason. A day off from work, fireworks, cooking out, and spending time with our friends. This year was no different. We kicked off the holiday with a cute little parade at school. It was supposed to be outside but since it was raining, we moved it inside. The kids wore red, white and blue and some classes made decorations for the kids to wear or carry during the parade. It wasn't anything huge, but it was still so cute to see all the kids from school. One of the good things about working at Bryson's school is that I never have to miss out on fun things like this.

Every year Helena puts on a fireworks show. Last year we didn't go because we didn't think Bryson would like them. This year we debated on it and almost decided not to go. Mostly because it was raining, but I'm so glad we did. It ended up being a great fireworks show and we got to see Robbie, Martha and Will. It's definitely something we will do every year.

On July 4th, we went to our friend's Peter and Kate's house to cook out. Bryson loved playing with Coby and all the dogs that were over there. We took him a few toys to play with but he ended up having more fun playing their piano and playing outside. Since I have been dieting, I wanted to take that day to splurge so I made two yummy fruit pizzas to take over. One was patriotic and one was just plain. I had the hardest time making them but they turned out so good! Our friends bought a few fireworks to shoot over at their house so Bryson liked that too. We had no intentions of driving downtown to see those fireworks, especially since it was raining; but last minute, we decided to load up in the car with Peter and Coby and drive to see them. We hit the interstate and immediately saw them so we just pulled over on the shoulder like a lot of other people. We got Bryson out of his car seat and let him sit up front with me. I'm so glad we didn't waste the time to drive all the way downtown because he lost interest after a few minutes; but I am glad that we took the short drive so he could see a few of them. I originally was schedule to work the next day but since we were low enough on kids, I got the day off! So there was no rush to head home since Robert can survive on little to no sleep. We headed back to their house and shot a few more fireworks before heading home for the night.

Since we were off the next day, Lisa wanted to take Bryson to see Despicable Me 2. We had already taken him to his first movie this summer so I was all for it. I was thinking about going with him, but I thought that it would actually be a better idea to go do a little early Christmas shopping without him. (Yes I know it sounds crazy but there is so much stuff out right now that I know he will love at Christmas).  As much as he loves the minions, we realized that we did not own the original movie, so while I was out shopping, I bought him a little surprise. A little minions doll and the first Despicable Me movie for us to watch that night. It was a great way to end our awesome 4th of July weekend.