Sunday, October 26, 2008

Frightening Frightmares

Three years ago we've started a tradition of going to Lagoon Frightmares over UEA/Fall Break. This year Ashtyn wanted to ride some of her own rides; and even tag along on some with the adults. Brave girl rode the helicopter ride first and was all excited and waving, but when it took off in the air, it was all she could do to lay down and hold on tight (of course the camera wouldn't work and get that picture). Even the ride conductor was saying, "Oh no, look at that poor little girl looking all sick." But that didn't stop our girl; she got off and half smiled then ran to the next ride. She's got the wave to the crowd perfected!


She had to ride the 'neigh neigh' on the carousel, but once that started moving, she was holding on for dear life again and trying to keep her food in her stomach! The best was the Lady Bug hop that drops you and bops you up & down. She barely made the height limit (thanks to her big hair bow) and the first drop really got her holding on to the bar and mom's hand. Then as it would go back up, she'd lift her head up to smile and wave at the crowd, then drop it again as the ride flew back down. This would continue the next 10 X she rode it. Riders in line would come to watch her ride it...it was the best laugh until it scared the poo out of her!
The boys braved the SPIDER and all the big coasters this year. Wicked was another favorite of theirs that mom couldn't fathom riding as you fall 90 degrees straight down!!
After getting wet on the log ride, everyone else continued to Rattlesnake Rapids. But I was smart and knew that as it got dark, it would also get cold. The boys rode it one more time without dad, and later told us it was 3 more times...they were nonetheless soaked and freezing by nightfall. Nath was sent out to find a Wal-mart and dry pants, socks, and undies!!
Now that everyone was fed and dry, we stayed to catch a few frightening shows and more rides in the dark. The kiddie rides closed early, so while we were waiting around for the boys Ashtyn had her first cotton candy...she wasn't sure about it going into her mouth!


The boys got the courage to ride the rocket near the end. They were scared but thought it would be cool to get so high up and see all the lights of Lagoon at night. They rode both rockets; one shoots you and then continues you up & down, the other slowly carries you up first and then you drop all the way back down like a free fall. I've never heard them scream so loud! Too bad I had to stay below with sleepin' Ashtyn.
We were going on adrenaline at dark but stayed until 11:00 P.M. and had some very tired children the next day (& tired parents)!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Lego Mania

This year Jantzen wanted a LEGO birthday party for his 'Great to be 8' year. We searched for ideas and finally came up with some fun ones to keep 10 eight year olds enthralled with legos for 2 hours. Can you believe the favorite was making a scrapbook place mat page with pictures and lego pieces and letters? Of course, the treasure hunt for candy legos came in at a close second (even when they had to search outdoors in the rain)!
I know, I always have to get way into the party theme and have fun going all out with decorations! The flag turned out way cool though with the oversized LEGO...neighbors even thought the flag was vinyl!!


The kids played games from the Lego spoon relay, to building the tallest LEGO tower, to creating a LEGO creation. We had lego brick pizza for lunch with lego ice cubes (but no one touched the LEGO colored fruits or veggies to go with lunch); they just wanted to keep adding ice cubes to change the color of their drinks. We ended with an award ceremony for the best creations (Hayden was proud that his was the 'most creative') and Jantzen's won the 'silliest' award of course!


THE CAKE & LEGO chocolate candies! Yeah! Jantzen's 8!

Saturday, October 4, 2008

I've Been Tagged!

Thanks to Heather, I have to think above a second grade level this time. Enjoy:

3 Joys
Going home to North Carolina to be with family (and eat good 'ol southern cookin')!
Being home with my own cute kids.
A rainy night with a book in my hand and my hubbie next to me!

3 Fears
Losing loved ones.
Unemployment
Gray hairs (40 is getting too close for comfort!)

3 Goals
Enjoying the little every day things (even my piles of laundry as Pres. Monson stated)!
Drink more water (stay away kidney stones).
Start doing sit ups everyday- now that I'm home more, I'm eating more...

3 Current Obsessions
Stamps! Cards! More stamped projects!
Pulling out my gray hairs...
Blogging!

3 Random Facts about Me
I love the Carolina beaches- but can't stand seafood!
I once had my leg infected with cow manure from the Bear River!!
I love basketball and played in high school-but nowadays I can't school nobody but my 2nd graders!!!!

I am tagging Annie, Shari, Debbie, and any one else peeking-we'd love to hear more about you too! (and Sydney... again since she hasn't done it since Heather tagged her.)