Six Flags

Yesterday was a big day for us. We went to Six Flags and had a blast. We got there at 11:00 and stayed until they ran us out at closing...at 10:00 that night. Yes, we all slept good last night.

Of course, we had to stop by Skull Island to cool off.

And you cannot pass the swings.

The Wheelie. This used to be one of my favorite rides. Then I got older. Now I feel sick when I ride, so I don't ride anymore. It is still another one that the boys cannot pass.

One thing that was so awesome about it was that we all had such a good time. There were no arguments, only 1 (maybe 2) minor complaining moments. It was just fun! Another thing was Austin.

It seems that every since he turned 11, things are just not quite the same. I can actually see the transformation from boy to young man. There are some days it can be challenging; mood swings, attitude adjustments - but it is also fun to watch life take on a different meaning to him. Six Flags was a major stepping stone for him earning his "man card". He has always been terrified of heights, roller coasters, ocean - you name it. Football field, no problem - speeding cars upside down on a track, not happening.

Two years ago Matthew (who was 7 at the time) begged me to ride the Mindbender. This ride goes 50 mph and had upside down loops. He was such a tiny thing at the time, every second of the way I was praying "Please God, don't let him fall out". He survived and for once had something over his big brother. He could ride roller coasters.

So, we make it to the park yesterday and I am asking Austin if he will at least consider it. While on the tram bus to the gate a little girl (maybe 6) was asking about riding the Mindbender. So he agreed to try it. HE LOVED IT!!! Later in the day we rode the Georgia Scorcher. HE LOVED IT!!!

This was me toward the end of the day; hot, wet, and tired.

We decided to stay until closing so that we could experience it in the dark and the crowds should thin out. Awesome decision! It was almost dark when we made it over to the Batman ride. I really thought it would be no big deal, I mean I handled the Scorcher and Mindbender - right? Wrong! We got on, luckily it has row seats so that we could all ride on the same row, and even luckier that Austin was on the end with Matthew in the middle and then me - there was an empty seat next to me so that I was not completely on the end.

Okay. So, I sit in this seat. Not too bad. Then this thing comes down over my head. My first thought was claustrophobia - it was so tight, it was hard to breathe and so big I could not see well on the sides. Then the floor dropped out from under us and all I could think was, I am so glad this is so tight. Then we flew out of the tunnel. I admit, I had my eyes closed for half of the ride - according to the website the ride is 2 minutes. It honestly seemed about 30 seconds, I must have blacked out for a minute and half. That was too much for me. Matthew tended to agree with me. What did Austin think, you ask? He was hooping and hollering about how awesome it was and he wanted to go again and again. What have we created?

Here is the Batmobile

The cave going into the ride:

And a picture off the internet to give you an idea of why I was so scared...remember it was dark, well almost.

The park at dark is amazing. The boys rode the swings again. We went down Thunder River. The same one that had an hour+ wait earlier...we rode it 3 times in a row without even getting out of the boat. Riding the river in the dark is a fun experience. We were also soaked.

Luckily, I had told the boys to bring their pillows with them, I think they were asleep as soon as we left the park. In June we are going to MD to see Daddy. We will get to go to Six Flags there too. According to the website, it looks like a lot of fun. Not sure if it can top yesterday though. Great day, great memories!