amusement park fun

We went to Kennywood today.  This trip can always be a little stressful for me.  SJ has a lot of trouble waiting in lines.  Basically, he can't stand still.  He begins to play on the rails (like most kids do), but he also continually bumps into the people ahead of him.  If he was 4, this behavior would be ignored.  He, however, is 9.  This behavior tends to receive bad looks and comments from the other guests.  He can also be very loud and whiny when he has to wait too long.  Another stressor for him is the loud noises that can sometimes accompany the rides.  The bobsled ride has a very loud horn that goes off about halfway through the ride.  I am happy to report that today my anticipated stress was unnecessary.  He did great today.  He waited in roller coaster lines for up to 45 minutes with minimal complaints.  He tried several new rides.  We did have to sweeten the deal by offering up some game playing, but what parent hasn't done that.  He even rode the bobsled ride and adjusted to the deafeningly loud noise by plugging his ears.  He and Bob rode many rides together.  Just like any other brothers.  Was the day perfect?  Of course not.  He still got into some arguments with Bob, which made some of the guests look at us with disapproving looks.  Besides the one fight with Bob, SJ was happy and content most of the day.  This was probably the most typical family day that we have had at an amusement park.  For our family, this was a great day.  We left tired from having fun and not from dealing with drama.  I would say it was great progress.