Hershey Park in the Dark

Today after a marathon clean out of the garage, we picked up Steph, Robin, and Gavin and headed to Hershey Park.  Apparently Lori's work gives out tickets Hershey Park in the Dark.  I did not know that until Steph asked me if we were going.  We made plans for today, the last day of the Halloween set up at the park.  It was 42 degrees when we got there at 2 and 42 degrees when we left at 7.  It was much colder when we left! 

 

 

We went to Chocolate World first and picked up our trick or treat bags and ride the Chocolate World ride.  To me Chocolate World will always be the version of my childhood and Steph remembers that one also.  The kids will know the cow version. 

 

The boys wanted ice cream, chocolate today.  Robin picked out a cupcake and hot chocolate.  Steph and I had mocha coffees. 

 

And then we headed into the park. 

 

We measured the kids so we would know what Baylor could go on.  He is a Kiss and can go on anything with a Kiss or lower. 

 

Gavin was a Hershey bar.

 

And Robin was a Twizzler. 

 

Baylor of course wanted to do a penny.  My goal was to find the Hershey Park in the Dark one and he just wanted the cool looking one on this machine.  I did find the one I was looking for and unfortunately he lost the one he picked out.  I think he took it out of his pocket on a ride and left it there. 

 

The kids could ride more rides than Baylor could and Robin is quite adventurous.  She was on a mission to ride all the coasters she loves.  Baylor was his usual patient self.  He really wanted to ride the little pirate ship which we did before we left.   

 

They have trick or treat section and only my son did not want to trick or treat.  He kept saying he went yesterday and he did not want to go again.  I held the bag from him and he would catch me getting a treat, pull the bag away, and tell them no.   They had Reeses peanut butter cups, Mommy was getting them no matter what he said. 

 

He was more interested in scaring the crows away and touching all the pumpkins. 

 

Gavin loves to pose for photos! 

 

I love the light projections on the ground. 

 

Finally while the big kids rode the Mousetrap, Baylor got to ride some rides.  He rode the beetles first and you can see by his smile that he loved it. 

 

And this little train.

 

And the carriage. 

 

We went on the Paris (Ferris) Wheel like we did in June.  But this season it is called the Witches Wheel.  Most of the rides were renamed with a Halloween theme.

 

We played one game, shooting water to fill up a balloon, and I won!  Baylor picked the blue penguin and he loves him already. 

 

 

I convinced Baylor to do a big slide and I ended up having to do it with him.  The ride was not made for my size rear but thankfully Baylor enjoyed it just as much.  Then we headed to some of the coasters and we went to the Trail Blazer.  It was Baylor's first big coaster ride.  He LOVED it.  It is pretty tame by coaster standards but it was just right for him.  We did it again with Steph and the kids rode the Great Bear.  The second time he did it with his hands in the air the whole time.   

 

On the way to catch up with them Baylor rode the airplanes.  As usual, he was more interested in watching the center to look out at me.  He likes watching the lights and how everything is working. 

 

Being there after dark was a different experience.  And a beautiful one too.  The lights made it a magical place.  I am thinking we need to go to Christmas Candy Lane this year.

 

Baylor playing his first real arcade games.  He and I played hockey against Gavin and while we did not score a point, Gavin only got one past us.  And then Baylor tried this game but he certainly did not get the concept.  He just liked moving the big blue joy stick back and forth.

 

He has seen a version of Whack a Mole on Team Umizoomi and wanted to play this one.  He tried and was so cute to watch. He did a race car game and we crashed and spun out all over the place!  We did Skee ball and Baylor made one in the next lane! 

 

We found the little pirate ship for him to ride and then we went to the Merry Go Round.  He rode an outside horse that did not move and Gavin rode behind us on one that did.  Steph and Robin were on another part of the ride and I am not sure what they chose.

 

 

The kids took Baylor on some of the rides around the Merry Go Round.  One that he loved and did twice was the Scrambler.  He had a smile on his face the whole time he was squashed between the two kids.  He did the Tilt a Whirl twice with Robin.  He had no fear and enjoyed all the rides he could go on and looked with love in his eyes at the rides he cannot go on yet.  I think he will be like Robin and love the thrill rides!  Give him a few years and they will be on everything together. 

 

It was cold and us Moms were wearing out so we headed out.  I bought a large bag of kettle corn on the way out. Steph picked up a bucket of mixed flavors, caramel, butter and cheese.  I never did get around to having a s'more but we have wood for the fire pit and can make them at home sometime soon. 

 

I don't think it took very long for this to happen but we were out of the park and up the road a few miles before we noticed it.  He was pooped, crashed out, and done with the day.  At 7.  But he loved it and I am so glad we went! 

 

 

 

Reynolds Farm

The leaves have changed a lot since Wednesday.  Once they start, it goes so fast.  I cannot figure out how to get the left side not all washed out and capture the blue sky instead. 

 

 

I hear the Circle of Life in my head when I post because I think we do the same thing every year, Baylor just gets bigger.  But as long as he enjoys our adventures we will continue to do them.  We meet Julie and Amy at 

 

 

Just like last year, we had a gorgeous day for a trip to the pumpkin farm. Baylor was excited to see he friend Cullen and I always look forward to our time with Julie and Amy.  We did pretty much the same things as last year.  I feel like I am repeating myself so I am just posting the photos for the most part. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baylor was much braver this year and went on the slide over and over again.  Last year he was run over on his first time down and would not do it again.  This year it was hard to get him off of it to try something else. 

 

 

 

He only did this slide once. I guess the long dark tube was more appealing. 

 

We steered their interest to the bouncy hay.  There were mattresses underneath the hay and they could jump off the bales and bounce.  Baylor found two corn cobs and would throw them in first and then go after them.

 

Then we showed them the climbing tower.  For two boys just barely four they both made it up without help. 

 

And then we feed the goats.  I had a lot of quarters so they got to steer several times.  The goats were just as piggy this year as last year. 

 

 

He wanted to go to the wood pirate ship and the boys had a lot of fun being pirates.

 

Especially when Baylor found the pole.  He needed help sliding down it but he loved it.  He was a also interacting with children he did not know.  That a quite a change from the shy little boy I had the beginning of the year.  He has come a long way this year in his willingness to play with children and I am so proud of him! 

 

He ran through a long tunnel and then off to the sand box for a few minutes of sand play. 

 

Us Mommies were pretty hungry by then and steered the kids towards leaving.  Our strong boys both wanted a turn at pulling the wagon.  Amy was pushing from the back and Baylor did not notice.  Cullen did and wanted her to stop.  When he was not looking she was helping.  There were three good sized pumpkins, a large mum and a child in the wagon and it was pretty heavy.

 

I had the booster seat in our car and asked Cullen if he wanted to ride with Baylor so I had a full back seat.  We went to the same lunch spot as last year

 

I got the same thing as last year also, my favorite sandwich on the planet, Greek gyro.  I could eat them every day!  Baylor wanted a grilled cheese but they cut it in half so he would not eat it.  I made that mistake once at home, cutting his sandwich.  He ate french fries and a chocolate shake and one tiny bit of the sandwich.  All he wanted to do was play with Cullen anyway.  Amy had to leave for work and Julie and I enjoyed talking while the boys had fun. 

 

We did have to reign them in a few times and when they just got too out of control, we packed up and headed out. The boys were sad to part. Cully first wanted me to take him home and then wanted to come live with us.  Baylor was sad to see Cully get in his own car.  Hopefully we will see them again on Saturday at the Halloween party! 

 

On the way out of town I came across this street with the trees on fire with bright leaves lit by the sun!  The photo does not do it justice. At all. 

 

 

Little man was worn out and it did not take long for the eyes to close and h

 

Here are the trees in the afternoon.  Still gorgeous.

 

I brought something out of the garage and this beauty was hitching a ride.  Baylor and I coaxed her onto the potato cage. 

 

And then Baylor found a little friend for her.  That is three mantis in a week. 

 

Baylor painted one side of the wood pumpkin.  He did a great job on the face and told me I really did not know how to paint.  He needed to show me how. 

 

I love the look of him with his hands on his hips holding his brush, concentrating on his work.  The hand on hip thing kills me! 

 

The moon is out but in the early evening now.  Baylor finds it every night.  It is nearly a half moon now. 

 

And the starlings are on the move.  We yell at them to stay away from our feeders.  I am sure the neighbors think is mad yelling at birds in flight.  But we have fun together and they stay away from the feeders.  It must be working. 

 

I tested out the photo thing I painted for the party.  Baylor took the picture of me. 

 

He did pretty good! 

 

 

So I started this Saturday night and just now getting it done.  I am so behind!