Gun-shy: Flippy Rides and Flaming Hands

A whole new world has been opened up to Beatle. She is now 48” tall and can ride almost everything at Magic Springs, the amusement park here in town. In our spare time in the summers (ha!) we like to venture over there. We bond as a family in between bouts of motion sickness and being slammed around by unruly tubes in the wave pool. We didn’t get passes last year and weren’t going to this year but they were given to us so how could we refuse?

Beatle was relishing in her newfound opportunities and was being quite bold but dug in her heels as we were finding seats on the pirate ship-type ride that flips all the way around. We had to take the “chicken exit”. I told the kid working it, “Maybe next time…” and he quipped, “Yeah, right.”

She was drunk on adrenaline though when she jumped off one small roller coaster onto Wild Thang—too bold to notice it was exponentially worse than the ride she passed on. “Hurry, hurry! Let’s try to get on this time,” she said exasperated as the rest of us were trying to keep up. Wild Thang turned in three different direction so I pleaded to Brent’s good nature on the way there to please let me sit this one out. So, he manned up and jumped on with her. It wasn’t till it started turning that I could see where she should be sitting, only I just saw legs dangling next to Brent. She was so small she couldn’t even see over the harness. I don’t know if I’ve ever felt so out of control as a mother in my life. I know that she’s just on loan to me and God has her in His hands but I couldn’t help but freak out as the ride whirled her every which way and flipped her around over and over. I just sat there stupidly; dividing my time between praying and laughing hysterically while Birdie ate dirt. Thank God she exited safe and sound declaring, with every bit of sincerity she could muster, that she really thought she was going to die up there. She even had the presence of mind to ask Brent, while being flung around, how far away the closest emergency room was. Haha! She’s becoming so cerebral.

We return to Oklahoma this Friday and stay until my sister’s wedding. I truly enjoy not having to work but especially during the summer because it affords us opportunities like going to Oklahoma for weeks at a time. It’s such a special time to be able to take our time with family and friends.

I love Brent’s job. I love that he loves his job and that our kids love his job. Mind you, when they are 17, they may not think what he does is that cool but right now, he’s their hero. Last night, he was getting ready for camp and since he’s responsible for an illusion segment, he wanted an audience to perform for. He was doing good—wearing a wig and a lab coat we purposefully singed in areas to make kids doubt his abilities and add to his character—when he got to his second fire trick and something went awry and it there was a mini-explosion in his hands and his reaction was priceless. Beatle and I busted a gut!!! We doctored him and he’s all better but he’s scratched the fire tricks this week because now he’s all kinds of gun-shy.

Backyard Spectacular

I love the 4th of July because of family and friends! (is it wrong that they came to my mind way before my country?? Disclaimer: I AM patriotic!) But when I realized for the second year in a row we couldn't go to OK for the long weekend, I knew I must devise a plan to keep me preoccupied here in hot springs. I didn't really feel we could do much outside because of little JJ but inside things, like movies and bowling, were ruled out because of our live wire, Birdie. So, the backyard spectacular was born! Thank God for Family Fun magazine. Anything cute or creative I do, I've found or modified from that publication. We waited until Monday and worked outside after the girls went to bed on Sunday night so there were little surprises in the morning. It felt like Christmas! We bought a little pool and Brent crafted a sprinkler area out of PVC pipe. (like Christmas, he lost his cool a little the night before when he realized he glued it together wrong and I poorly supressed nervous giggles when he fired it up the next day and it trickled out of half the holes rather than sprayed out of all.) but, honestly, it was perfect for Birdie. Just her speed. I sprayed painted Twister circles on the grass.

Early Monday morning, Beatle climbed into bed and said, "mom, I can't believe it's red, white and blue day!" I made blue biscuits and we revealed everything. It was an amazing day, ending with the girls (and JJ) wearing homemade t-shirts, eating festive ice cream sandwiches Beatle and I made, and watching the tiny fireworks show BR put on. Even though we weren't where I traditionally think I should be on the 4th, we were able to manufacture the same feelings I've had on the 4th for the last 15 years.

Tonight, we were going to Bedtime Stories at the library for the first time and Beatle kept telling me that one of her friends told her that they have cookies and milk afterward. I told her that I wasn't sure and she kept insisting. Finally she said, "seriously mom, how would they keep all of those kids entertained--by just sitting around and reading a BOOK?" haha! She really does like books; she just likes cookies exponentially more! I couldn't help but share that with the children's librarian, who is a close friend of ours. Luckily, she thought it was funny too. :)