Ian likes the rides!

I took the kids to Knoebels today. We got there at 1pm, and Paul's parents and Shawn joined us around 3pm. Ian hasn't ridden too many rides at Knoebels in the past because he would try to climb out of the ride (while it was in motion). At the county fair a few weeks ago we discovered he now enjoyed riding a ride and wouldn't try to get out. That was part of the reason I decided to take the kids to Knoebels yesterday. It was our 4th trip this year, but we hadn't been since June. I bought the kids handstamps and used tickets for myself. It was by far our most expensive trip to Knoebels, but including food I spent $44.50, about how much most amusement parks charge for just one adult. It was a really fun day. The weather was beautiful. It was warm enough that we enjoyed getting soaked on the Skloosh and a little wet on the flume. I was grateful when Paul's family arrived because #1 the kids have different taste in rides so Shawn and I took Nadia on some rides that Ian couldn't do while Paul's parents took Ian on the rides he loves that Nadia now considers to be boring and #2 I was able to enjoy some of the concerts. My favorite was Jamie Slocum. I have to say that it was hard for me to leave the kids even for a little bit. I love watching them ride rides (or riding with them as the case may be).

Ian's favorite rides involved vehicles that went around in a circle, such as a firetruck or car. One time he was in a car, but he kept fussing because he really wanted to be in the tractor the boy in front of him was riding. A few times he smiled or laughed on the rides, but most of the time while he was riding the ride you couldn't tell that he was enjoying it. The ways you knew he enjoyed it was #1 fussing and pointing when he saw a ride he wanted to ride and #2 crying when I took him off when the ride was over. Thankfully after an hour or two he stopped crying when the ride was over as he grasped the concept that it isn't the end of the world when the ride is over because we'll be riding more rides. Ian enjoys being held on the carousel, but he's not ready to ride a horse yet. He wanted no part of the bouncy "pillow," but he loved the balls. Ironically when Nadia and I were sharing some peach soft serve ice cream, he fussed and pointed as if he wanted some. Of course I couldn't give him any, but it struck me as odd because at home he screams most of the time when I feed him with a spoon. In light of us being at the park for 7 hours, he only was fed solid food twice today. He had his usual 6 sippy cups of EleCare over the course of the day. He's had a regression lately with handling the small shells mixed in his pureed food.

Nadia's favorite ride continues to be the kiddie roller coaster. She rode it with Shawn this time, and I was enjoying the Jamie Slocum concert at the time, which meant I don't have a picture of her on that roller coaster yet (as I rode it with her for the first time in June). She also really enjoyed the rides where we got wet (to use her words). The slide was also one of her favorites. There are very few rides in the kiddie area that she still gets a thrill from, but she does still love the "pillow" (that you jump on), the balls and the whip. It was a really great day. We're going to go back in October on a Saturday, and Paul is going to join us as he missed our first 4 trips this year. Until they get to the place where they both love the same rides, it's definitely helpful to have at least two adults along so that each child can ride the rides they enjoy best. Nadia enjoyed eating some fried pierogies for the first time. When I make them at home, I just boil them. I was going to introduce her to funnel cake for the first time, but I ended up sharing mine with Cheri instead.

PopPop, Ian, Mommy, Shawn, and Nadia rode the giant Ferris Wheel together.