To those of you who don't know me, yesterday was my birthday.I'm not that much of a 'birthday' person. I mean, who really cares...one more year tagged onto the growing number that equates how long I've 'been' on the planet. I take it all in stride. I don't need a party or a cake, it's just another day.
However, I must admit I am vain enough that I DO enjoy the occasional birthday wish. It makes me feel 'special'. And this year I got so many birthday wishes from friends (without prompting...wow). Many came through Facebook (thanks guys), a tenant left a card for me (with the rent check...thank you), some birthday cards came through snail mail (which shows they REALLY remembered in order to get it in the mail on time...double thank you) and a present sent from Chrissy complete with singing pig in a tutu card. I even got a hand signed with sentiment greeting from my investment broker (which was a first)!
My daughter and ex-husband bought me the coolest little ( I mean little but with a big ass lens) Sony video camera. That was totally unexpected...and absolutely fabulous!
But the way I spent my birthday celebration day was at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio riding roller coasters with my daughter until I just couldn't ride them anymore.
Have you ever been to Cedar Point? Heard of it? It's only 45 minutes from my home and we get season passes every year. It has been voted the best Amusement Park for the last 8 years straight. It's also the second oldest amusement park. Bunches of other 'awards' as well, highest roller coaster, steepest pitch coaster...blahblahblah.
This year was truly a monumental stepping stone for my daughter, Amelia. This year she is over 54" tall. It's a big deal. We've been waiting for this moment for years. That opens ALL the rides to her...and she was excited. We went to the Guest Services to get the 'Official Measurement'. They give you a wrist band that will override individual ride attendants with a measurement 'stick'. Just to be sure. Last year we were a 1/4" short at the end of the season. When she got her green wristband (over 54") everyone in the office clapped for her because she could not contain her joy in being able to now ride the Raptor, Mantis and Witches Wheel. The entire world of Cedar Point is now at her feet...she can ride ANYTHING without restriction.
I wish I could have bottled the look of joy on her face....
So after said Official Measurement celebration we then proceeded into the depths of the park. Cedar Point never fails in the ultimate in people watching, roller coasters and expensive junk food. I could write a book for them letting the first time or infrequent guests know where the best french fries are (Happy Fryer across from the once Aquarium), best slushy (Camp Snoopy by the boats), best frozen custard (Frontierland by the mine ride), best stuffed hot pretzel (in front of Magnum XL) and all the beer stands (4 in all...front of park by the Picnic area, Frontier Trail Red Garter Saloon, Palace Theatre and Joe Cool cafe). We know where all the bathrooms are, the water fountains and best souvenir shops. Best spinny ride (Tilt-a-Whirl), best thrill ride (MaxAir) and best roller coaster (new-Millennium; old wooden-Mean Streak).
Yeah. We know our park. We've been there just a few times and know it like the back of our hand. It's fun to watch people staring at their maps trying to figure it out...and we just KNOW where to go and the order in which to do it. Some of the stands don't get much business because they are kind of tucked away....unless you are us, or with us; then you too would know where they are.
Yesterday was a school day. Amelia did not go to school. (Cool mom...uh-huh) She went to ride spinny rides with me all day instead of doing math or spelling. On one ride we were the only people on it, so the attendant would just look at us at the end of the ride, give us the thumbs up and off we would go again...and again, and again, and again. 7 times in all until we thought we should perhaps get off before we threw up all the cotton candy and elephant ears.
The weather was not an ideal amusement park day...when we left. It was cool, overcast and raining. And it was still raining when we got there. But then, like magic; it wasn't and now there wasn't anyone there. I'm sure the weather was a huge factor in the attendance in the park. Although perhaps there weren't that many people there because responsible adults are working during the week and most kids are still in school. It was like I rented it out for a private days adventure. When we rode on MaxAir and SkyHawk, they DID make us get off....only to walk around and get right back on again. Perfect.
Today I am fasting. I ate enough calories yesterday to last me the week. But it was my birthday, so who really cares. Plus, I own stretch pants to last me through the end of the week. Awww hell, if I could be gauranteed more days like that...I'd buy a whole new wardrobe in a larger size.
What a great day. Thanks Amelia. Your the best kid ever....
And if anyone wants a copy of the best places to hit in Cedar Point during their visit...e-mail me. I'll send you a free copy. Signed, of course. I'm positive it's sure to become a collectors item.
:-)
Footnote:
Oh. And my friend Chrissy? Check out this post she put up yesterday...she's the best. Thank you Chrissy!
I've always loved amusement parks. There's a nostalgic quality to strolling around with cotton candy, immersed in the glow of flashing lights, while listening to the clank of gears or the pop of balloons. That said, I almost never visit them. Not sure why. And I live about 20 minutes from the only government-run park in the country.
ReplyDeleteI'm partial to Six Flags, myself. Though the side-to-side type coasters make me wanna hurl.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
Thank you Chris for the birthday wishes!
ReplyDeleteI've never had anyone to ride the uber-spinny rides with me. Everyone else hurls as well. But now, although it might be viewed as selfish, I've groomed and produced the ultimate fellow rider in my daughter...
How cool is that?
Thanks again!
Nancy
Happy Belated Birthday! It sounds like you had a very meaningful one.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carlos! It was...and IS!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has deemed this a 'birth week' not just a birth-DAY. I think she is starting a trend to make sure when hers comes around that the celebration will be extended.
She's a smart one, that kid.
:-)