Adventureland

One of my fondest memories as a kid was my parents waking us up one summer morning and announcing "We are going to Adventureland today!" Adventureland is a little theme park in Des Moines that isn't really all that awesome, but to a kid it is the BEST. We went there every few years during my childhood and I loved it every time. We would spend weeks counting down the days until we went. But I especially loved the year that Mom and Dad surprised us the very morning we went. Nate and I decided we wanted our kids to have the same memory so last Friday we woke them up early and announced, "We are going to Adventureland!"

When we walked through the gates, the smell of hot asphalt on a summer day hit me and I felt like a kid again. Except that now I can't stand any rides that spin faster than a carousel. Even the carousel is pushing it. Love the rollercoasters though. WOOT! We even learned a few things while there. Who says that theme parks can't be educational?

Noelle learned that some games are not winnable and used up all her money trying.











Nate learned that he can throw a ball fast enough to win a cheap plastic helmet.














I learned that it is possible to take WAY too many picture of the kids on the carousel.














I also learned that taking a picture of myself on the carousel is tricky and borderline dangerous.














Jack learned that he isn't quite tall enough to experience death defying rides.














We all learned that when you are four, catching a frog takes time. Lots and lots and lots of time. Frog catching is an art.














We learned some other things that I don't have pictures of. Things like:

• It is entirely possible to spend three thousand dollars on funnel cakes and lemonade.
• Big, colorful popcicles are very fun and very sticky.
• Mom may have a panic attack while riding the Ferris wheel with a baby, a two year old, a four year old, a six year old, and an 8 year old. Holy cow, Ferris wheels freak. me. out.
• The duck pond water, while very enchanting in appearance, is actually extremely stinky and full of duck poop and you might not want to slip and fall in.
• Age is no indicator of braveness. Some six year olds are willing to ride anything.

It was just a fun as I remembered. I hope my kids remember it when they are 30.