Worlds of Fun

Each year, the company I work for sponsors a family day at Worlds of Fun, a local amusement park.  The park is available only to employees and their guests.  We've enjoyed it for the past several years; however, it was a lot more fun this year now that Karsten was tall enough to ride some of the rides.  Last year he was pretty disappointed when he wasn't tall enough for some of the rides.

All loaded into the stroller and ready for a fun day!


After waiting in loooong, slooooow lunch lines we headed to the train.  Karsten was so excited!


Since he has new found bravery after seeing the Tbones cow up close, he really wanted to have his picture taken with the 'puppy'.  We waited for our turn, then got to see Snoopy up close.


Karsten and I rode this 'rollercoaster'.  It was basically just a raised train ride because the track was flat and there weren't any hills, but he thought it was cool to be up high and wave to Daddy.


Then he and Scott rode these cars - since Karsten wasn't tall enough, Scott 'got' to ride with him.  Liam was getting antsy in the stroller so we found a shady spot and watched.




The cars would whip around the turns really fast - Scott said it made Karsten laugh and laugh each time.


They rode the monster trucks last year, so this was a must for today.


A quick ride on the bus that goes around and around.


When they were on the bus, Karsten spotted this mini detonator ride and decided he wanted to do it.  He was going to do it by himself so I was a bit worried about how he would do, but he was great.  Had so much fun, listened to the guy giving directions, then asked to do it again when it was over.  The lady in the middle screamed every time the ride made a sudden move (which was kinda the purpose of the ride) and Karsten thought she was pretty funny.




Serious about riding that motorcycle!




Next in a series of rides for little ones that go around and around.


And now the boats.


He also decided he wanted to do the swings that swung you out further and further as it went faster and faster.  This one made me nervous because I was worried he was too little to be secure in the seat, but he was determined to do it.  We ran into Liz, Kyle and Kellen in line and Kellen ended up riding at the same time as Karsten.


After the swing, we went to the bounce house for little kids.  Karsten was having so much fun...then it was time to get out.  The lady gave them a two minute warning, a one minute warning and a 30 second warning.  I echoed each of these warnings to make sure he heard each of them, but then when she said it was time to get out, he said no and sat down in the middle of the circular bounce house.

SIGH.

I tried to reason with him through the netting then went to the door to try to coax him out.  Liz wisely suggested letting Kellen try to get Karsten out, but that didn't work.  So...into the bounce house I went to carry the screaming child out. By now he was saying NOOOO, I WANT TO BOUNCE.  Sigh...did I mention the park was full of my coworkers?  Oh well, they were all at Planet Snoopy with their little ones - they understand the tantrums of an almost three year old.  Right? :)

After a snack (I think Karsten and I may have been a BIT crabby and hungry), we rode on the carousel before we left.  That was a good way to end the day!


Liam even got to ride!