46. This is the magic number. This is the golden height that one must be to ride the big rides at Lagoon. Hailey is officially 46" tall. I have been dreaming of taking my children on the white roller coaster since I was 13. I clearly remember the day I begged my dad to go on the white roller coaster with me, "I'm too old" he said. I was crushed. I vowed that I would ALWAYS go on roller coasters with my children, no matter what. A few weeks ago Hailey realized (as did I) that she was tall enough for the grand adventure. We planned a special day when she and I would have a private day and go on all the big kid rides together. That blessed day was today. I couldn't sleep at all last night because I was so excited! It has been years since I have been on these fun rides, because I've always been in Kiddie Land with my kids. But today is a red letter day. Today I go with my posterity!! (trumpets sound in the background)
Hailey and I got to Lagoon before the rides even opened. We were there when the ropes fell to the asphalt signaling ride time! Hailey picked the first ride and we raced to the swings. We were the only people on the entire ride! I was in parental bliss as we sailed through the air on our love seat swing. These are the days.
Next we made our way to the Tidal Wave. We boldly held our hands in the air, proving to the world that we are girls of fearsome courage. I smiled at Hailey as she declared this was "the best day ever!"(however, I was thinking: Whoa, I remember that stomach drop feeling, I don't remember having any bladder problems before on this ride. I just might pee myself)
Then, we made our maiden voyage to the white roller coaster. Hailey insisted that we skip there. What the heck, this day is for her. I clenched my bladder and skipped with my daughter all the way to the roller coaster. In line, Hailey's nerves where kicking in but I promised her that it would be a blast! We strapped in and we were off! . . . it's all a blur . . . rattling noise, trying not to pee and not to throw-up at the same time, head lurch, whip lash and we're back at the loading platform. Dizzy, really dizzy. "Wasn't that fun!" I exclaimed to both Haileys, oh there we go, now there's only one. "I want to go again!" she cheered. Yeah, maybe later. My mood was quickly deteriorating. Here is a run down of my thoughts over the next FIVE hours at Lagoon:
I'm not going to throw-up, I'm not going to throw-up.
Clench your bladder . . . harder.
It's hot.
Where's the closest bathroom?
It's how much for food?
I wonder if they sell Dramamine?
What stinks?
Oh yuck, the girl in front of me needs to wash her hair.
I hate the public.
Where's the closest bathroom?
No, I'm not going to pay you to guess my weight!
Dizzy. So dizzy.
I used to love this ride.
Just because there is an adjacent water park does not mean you can dress like a hooker.
No, I would not like to win a 5 foot stuffed banana.
Huh, the sign was right. You will get drenched on Rattle Snake Rapids.
Chafing. Hot, wet and chafing.
Really? Do you need to make out in line? There are children here!
I need a diet coke.
Did you even look in the mirror this morning?
I'm gonna throw up.
Skip? You want to skip to the next ride again?
Yuck! What loser sticks their gum on the wall?
Oh yeah, I wonder if mine is still at the Terror Ride. Those were my "bad girl" days . . . or day.
Noise. Headache. Dizzy, so dizzy. Vomit, I'm gonna vomit. Car. Where's my car? Home. Tylenol.
Hug. "That was the best day ever, Mom! Thank you!!!"
Worth it.
