We got to Kennywood around 2 pm. It was supposed to rain, so that was keeping the crowds away. We started off riding the Sky Rocket coaster, the newest steel coaster. Bob doesn't like coasters, so he waited with the moms and I. SJ loves coasters and had a great time with his friends.
We moved on to bumper cars and Cosmic Chaos. Bob again sat out. He was being very stubborn. I decided he would just have to sit while everyone else had fun.
The group then rode the Jack Rabbit, a classic wooden coaster. Bob was being very disrespectful to me while we waited for our friends. I had to take his phone away as a consequence.
Most of the kids (and I!) wanted to ride an upside down ride, Aero 360. Bob and SJ waited with the moms while we rode. SJ doesn't like upside down rides. Not me. I love that ride!
The boys wanted to ride paddle boats when we were done. Finally, a break in Bob's ride stand off. He rode with Willie and SJ rode with Topher. The girls paired up and rode them as well. The boys were all smiles on the lake. Yeah!
The kids decided to ride a water ride next. I almost fell over when both boys got in line. I was surprised that Bob was in line, but I was even more shocked that SJ was in line. He hates getting wet when he is in his regular clothes.
They could only fit 6 riders in each boat, so they couldn't ride together. The girls were in the first boat and the boys were right behind. You can get totally soaked on this ride depending on how the boat navigates the path. I was crossing my fingers that SJ wouldn't go under the waterfall. Fortunately, Bob and Willie got the waterfall. They were all laughing hysterically. Thank goodness!
The boys liked it so much that they jumped back in the line. The girls wanted to ride the Thunderbolt, another classic wooden coaster. I waited with Willie's mom while the other moms rode with the girls.
SJ got the waterfall the second time and happily he was laughing about it. He was a little concerned about how wet he was. He wanted to use the giant people dryer, but I said no. I told him it was so hot out and he would dry quickly. He wasn't convinced and became very whiny.
The dads arrived a few minutes later. SJ convinced my husband to let him use the dryer. It cost $5, so I wasn't going to spend that. My husband told him he wouldn't be completely dry, but he was willing to let him spend $5 once. SJ wanted to go in it again, but he was firm with him only going once.
We ate dinner with the dads at the Pavillion. The food was good and the kids were very well behaved.
We went back to Cosmic Chaos right after we finished dinner. Surprisingly, Bob and SJ got on with all the other kids and dads. They loved it!
We rode a few more small rides like Bayern Kurve (fast bobsled ride) and the Pirate (giant swinging ship). They are great simple rides.
Next, the kids took a chance on a lazer maze. They all tripped up the lasers, but SJ actually made the leader board. He was so proud of himself and the kids were all congratulating him. What a great moment!
The group wanted to ride the Phantom's Revenge, a super fast steel coaster. Bob wasn't up for it, so I waited with him. I tried to get pictures, but the coaster moves very fast.
We moved over to the Black Widow, a high upside down ride. Bob, SJ, Meryl and her dad opted not to ride. While we waited in line (longest line of the day), Meryl's dad took them to play games. Bob won two prizes, but SJ went home empty handed. That is usually what happens. SJ does not excel at the games. This year he handled it much better. He only complained about it for a few minutes. That is a big improvement.
We had time to ride two more rides. We all went back to the Thunderbolt. Everyone but Bob rode it. Our last ride of the night was The Racers, a double train wooden coaster. Bob sat out again. SJ and I were in the green train. He was convinced that the red train was going to win before we even left the station. He was wrong. We won, but he wasn't convinced for a while. We had to explain it many times until it sunk in.
We rode back home with Willie's family. My boys were aggravating each other in the backseat while Willie behaved nicely. I gave them a threat of electronics loss and they settled down.
Despite Bob's stubborn, defiant behavior, it was a great day! I always enjoy being around our friends.
The next day, we were at the pool and Meryl's mom told me something that made me smile. She noted that SJ did so well in the lines. She said he waited very patiently and was socializing nicely with the other kids. That is something that all parents of kids on the spectrum love to hear.
No comments:
Post a Comment