A Six Flags Kind of Birthday

We started the celebration for Ashley's birthday early this year.  In fact, you are about to see a few posts acknowledging Ashley's birthday milestone.  Isn't nice to be able to s p r e a d out the celebration?

Instead of a friends party, Ashley invited a friend to spend the day at Six Flags with her.  We went a couple of weeks before her actual birthday and had a great time.  She sure is growing up fast!

It was an all girl's day.  Paige and I were riding partners, while Ashley and her friend rode together.  We spent 12 hours in the park and rode as many rides as possible.  Some of the lines were pretty long but overall  I think everyone had a good time.

Ashley and Kirstyn waited over 2 hours to ride Superman, but it really is a must at Six Flags Great America.  These two girls were pretty cute together.  Ashley had been on the ride before but Kirstyn hadn't.  One of the things about the Superman ride is that as you wait in line you have a direct view of the ride so you have plenty of time to psych yourself out.  Also, the moment of truth comes once you are strapped in and then the floor drops away and your tilted forward into "flying" position.  At this point, you are pretty scared because you realize there is no turning back. 

As the girls got to the front of the line, Ashley told Kirstyn, in an encouraging sort of way, "don't back out now, we have waited too long!"   

Then as the girls were strapped in and tilted forward, Kirstyn said to Ashley, "Okay, I'm freaking out now!" 

As they started the ride, climbing the first hill, Ashley says, "Kirstyn open your eyes, this is the best part!"

"I can't Ashley, I'm too scared!

This whole exchange makes me laugh, because I know exactly how Kirstyn feels.  The anticipation is pretty scary but just like everyone else, she came off the ride having loved it!

Fortunately, we didn't have to wait too long for most of the other rides.  Another highlight was riding the the American Eagle roller coaster.  It is one of the largest wooden roller coasters in the country.  I confess, I love wooden roller coasters.  I love the clickety-clack sound and the shakey/bumpy ride.  I don't need all the loops and twists, I just like to put my hands up and go fast!  I'm so glad that I can still ride the roller coasters with my girls.  I hope many years from now we treasure our memories of celebrating birthdays by screaming our heads off on wooden roller coasters!