What a week though! We were hopping somewhere nearly every day. Kini's entertainment schedule nearly killed us all with how blasted hot and humid it's been. We don't know if you've heard the national news lately, but Ohio has been hit with a heat wave along with the northeastern coastline. The temperature was over 90 degrees all week and with the lake, we've had 90-100% humidity as well. The heat has been as relentless as the fun.
I suppose it's best to start where we left off last week.
The weekend is all a blur so we'll start on Monday, although I do remember us doing something fun on Saturday after last week's blog was posted....Oh yes, I remember now, we weeded more in the yard.
So beginning with Monday. We took Kini to the Cleveland Zoo! Oh how fun...we wished it would have been! The temperature was extreme and the humidity made it unbearable for all members of the animal kingdom-even those humans who have skin and not fur. It really was no wonder that the animals just laid in there caves all day. I believe the highlight of our day was Mesia, my 30 year old wife, not really a child anymore, but a professional working woman and mother of 2, get so excited to get a butterfly painted on her face. But not just any butterfly, a magic one with magic pixy sprinkles.
Oh, and the fun didn't stop there. Oh no. Alex, an exact replica of her mother was envious of the new pixy power her mother obtained and petitioned the lady with the magic painting wand to paint one on her face as well. However, Alex was smart, you see she knew that in order to complete the circle of butterfly power the butterfly needed to be complete. Therefore, she had the magic sorcerer face painter lady paint the other half of the bug on the right side of her face, thus creating a complete bond of magical loving pixy power and multiplying the magic of happiness and love when the two halves are pressed together.
The highlight of my day was when after a few hours of walking in the scorching humid heat, the pixy butterflies were smeared off. The smearing was then multiplied when tears of sadness came flowing that their pixy power was leaving in a smudgy river of blacks, reds, greens, and yellows. They were so sad. Kinda funny. But don't worry they cheered up right away when I offered to buy them a snow cone. He he.
After the zoo we got cleaned up and got ready for our 4th of July picnic and firework show. Every year Bay Village launches fireworks over the lake and all the residents come and layout on the park lawn to watch. It was really an amazing show, one of the better firework shows I've ever seen. Sam didn't make it all the way through, the zoo wore her out and she fell asleep in the middle.
The next day left some lasting memories for all of us. Perhaps the highlight of Kini's stay. We drove over to Sandusky, Ohio to play at Cedar Point amusement park. What is Cedar Point amusement park you ask? Is it like Lagoon in Utah? Well, it's only the 5th most exciting park in the world with the world's tallest roller coaster according to Amusement Park Magazine, the world's leading authority in amusement parks. It was also featured on ESPN 8, The Ochoa.
Now, it's been a while since I've been on a roller coaster. So needless to say I was a bit apprehensive. But Alex and Mesia both gently prodded and encouraged me. Craftily appealing to my alpha-male ego, saying things like "You are such a strong Daddy, you can go on this SMALLER roller coaster. Look at that skinny guy in line, you are much tougher than he!" So, naturally after being buttered up a little, my heart took courage and I did get get on the roller coaster. All was fine until the lap bar locked down and the car started moving, then sheer panic and terror ran through my veins. No matter how hard I screamed to "LET ME OFF" the operator just smiled and waved while telling us over the loud speaker, "Please keep your arms and legs in and enjoy your ride on the 46 year old Blue Streak!"
46 YEARS OLD?!?!
After riding Blue Streak Alex took Kini for a nice little 2 mph ride on The Speedway.
They had the A/C on because it was so hot.
Oh no! Alex and Kini got pulled over by the state trooper in Speedway land. Looks like Kini is totally busted for letting Alex drive when she can't even see over the dashboard. I thought it was funny to see Kini trying to talk her way out of this one.
After we shook off the disappointment of Alex's first ticket, we swung over to some weird ride that swings you in circles. Basically, you climb in a little ball and the floor travels in a circle while the ball you are sitting in swings in a circle. So basically, it's one big circular ride of fear and more terror.
After that Mesia and Alex went off to explore the big-boy rides while Sam and Kini stayed with me and we explored some of the rides in Snoopy Land, the part of the park dedicated to persons under 24 inches tall. Good thing too, after Blue Streak I was as excited for the kiddie cars and trains as mesia was to get a butterfly painted on her face. Our first stop was a little car ride, which Sam chose immediately to ride in the green monster truck.
After the ride, we took a short little figure 8 on the Snoopy train. The car we rode in was quite luxurious and cozy. AND we were allowed to take 2 laps on he figure 8. So much fun! "Oh waiter, could I please have a refill and Sam would like more dinner rolls please."
Next up, Kini took Sam on the Snoopy Submarine thing that goes up in the air in a slow circle.
Awww, Snoopy Land was so much fun! I can't wait to go back!
When we met up with Mesia and Alex, Alex pulled Grandma onto the kiddie roller coaster, figuring that grandma wouldn't be up for something like Raptor. Ol' Grandma Kini hung in there, but it was a test.
Some states legislate gun bans. Not Ohio. Here, the only law governing bearing arms in a public gathering requires that you pay $1.00, then you can fire away without any provocation from mechanical dummies whose pants drop when you hit the target on their shoulder.On a calmer note, we found a small petting area for Sam.
And of course the highlight of everyone's fun time at Cedar Point was when 2 strong, hulk looking guys, who I overheard talking about their professional wrestling career, tried to ring the bell by hitting the base with the sledgehammer and failed. Alex so desperately wanted the small stuffed animal that was awarded to those who could hit the bell. I believe her exact words were something like, "Oh Father. I understand and respect your financial frugalness. But the stuffed dog which I could sleep with at night would protect me from the demons in my dreams. Would you just try once to succeed where other stronger men have failed and win me the prize?" Now, whose heart could not take courage after seeing a child get down on one knee and recite that kind of plea? I grabbed $2.00 and the game worker gave me the sledgehammer. I looked back at Alex for inner-strength and like Arthur stepping up to the stone to pull the sword, I a feeble, meek and lowly student of law, a family man if nothing else, loaded back, said a silent prayer, and heaved the hammer as hard as I could.
And of course, the ball hit the bell at the top and Alex got her prize. Really, no big surprise there. :0) There was a new crack in the cement under the plate when I walked away.
We ended the day with an old fashioned drive. Even after the ticket earlier we let Alex drive. We figured that cars in the 1930's, while sturdy, could go no faster than the 50's model she drove with Kini. So we buckled the family up went over a bridge. Then under the same bridge. Then back to our starting point.
For the record, I must make mention that while Mesia and Alex were off riding the big-boy roller coasters, they claim to have ridden the tallest coaster in the park (and therefore the world). However, there will always be an asterisk next to this accomplishment because while Mesia DID have her camera with her, there are no pictures of this terrific feat. Therefore it is the opinion of the author that while this MAY have really happened, the evidence is scanty at best and therefore unlikely. :0)
Later in the week, we took Kini to Crocker Park, which is an outdoor mall like The Gateway in Salt Lake. There, Sam played Chess and we screwed around with cut-out pictures.
We also made sure Kini got some pool time in with us.
And bike rides with the girls.
Thanks for coming out and staying with us Grandma! We had a wonderful time! Thank you for shaping up our yard, cooking our dinners, and cleaning our house! We will be ready for another cleaning in about 3 months before winter begins, so budget and plan for that. We'll make sure we have the lysol scent you prefer. :0)
Really though, we had so much fun with you and will miss you tremendously. Are you sure you don't want to move out here?
Have a safe trip back and show everyone all the pictures, I can't fit 196 pictures on the blog.
We love you.
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