A Day Full of Amusement

Day 5 - June 1, 2014

Pittsburgh, PA

We had a fantastic day!  Leading up to our trip, I kept telling the kids I had a surprise for them when we got to Pittsburgh.  My friend Patty works for the school system and she scored some discount tickets to Kennywood, an amusement park close to their house.  I never take the kids to parks like that.  Too expensive and I’m way outnumbered - but with discount tickets and Patty cheering me on, I decided to go for it.

I was expecting pure unbridled excitement when I told the kids.  Yeah, that didn’t happened.  They were disappointingly blasé about my announcement, so I approached the day as if it were a chore.  OMG, it was so much better than that.  We had a blast!  The park was very cool and not the least bit crowded.  The kids in this area are still in school and I’m guessing there may have been some other end-of-year activities occurring, because we never waited more than ten minutes for a ride and this park had some serious roller-coasters.

Upon arrival, I went to guest services to see what kind of accommodations I could get for Barrett.  They were wonderful and basically he got a “pass” – but there were nine of us, so it was going to be tricky (the pass was for four).  The first couple of rides, I didn’t bother with the pass, because the lines looked very reasonable and Bear did great.  Honestly, I’m still in shock at how calm he was – all day long.  He waited in line with his siblings and friends and just hung out as one of the gang.  I held him back from a couple of rides, thinking they would wig him out, but he did ride each and every roller coaster (two of which I wouldn't get on).  He was a rock star!

I scored a first, as well.  I haven’t been on a water ride since Bush Gardens, circa 1983.  The kids were all wearing swimsuits, but Patty and I were in street clothes.  She refused to go on the water rides – warning me that I may get soaked.  I’m trying very hard to loosen up and be a little more “fun” – so I went for it on the Raging Rapids.  Well, the three bathing suit clad girls lucked out, but not me.  I got drenched.  Although I had a spare t-shirt, I had to buy a pair of shorts in the gift shop – with “Kennywood” printed on the bottom!  I’ve sunk to a new low, all in my quest to be a cool mom on the road trip.  Just call me Brittney!

Patty was watching from the bridge - and captured my drenching.  I'm in the red visor.

Audrey miraculously got over her fear of rides.  That, or she didn’t want her Pittsburgh Pals to think she was a chicken, because she rode everything and didn’t cry once!  Hunter was his usual wild-man self and my little guy rode his first roller coaster - although he was not thrilled.  As we pulled in at the end of the ride, he couldn’t get his seat belt off fast enough – and I quote, “Get me out of here, I am never doing that again!”

We stayed at the park for almost SEVEN hours!  Can you believe that?  I can’t, not in my wildest dreams.  We had dinner at Red Robin and then home to bed.  Everyone – moms included – was exhausted!!!!