Another Summer Day at Storybookland

Panic.... the summer is almost over!  We've been so busy, but there have still been a number of things we haven't done yet!

Since we hadn't been to Storybookland yet this year, Sunday was the day.  It had stopped raining (Lord knows we needed the rain desperately!) and the temp was going to be around 70.  What a truly perfectly day to go.   There was one downfall, however; Connor had to WORK, so he couldn't go with us for the afternoon outing.  Grr.

There's always so much to see there and it's not possible to see everything if you actually want to stop and enjoy some of the play areas, rides, and exhibits.

We visited the castle first, climbing the stairs all the way to the top, looking out for "bad guys" that we could attack with our bows and arrows!

Down below, in the castle, was the stage (no plays today!) and Ramsey was enamored with the background.  "Look at all those colors!", he'd say.

Captain Hook's pirate ship was just outside (with a fancy slide too, so Ramsey was extra excited).

With so much to look at and see, it seems like Ramsey's favorite phrase that day was "Hey, I want to go THERE!".

Every other place we went had a slide.  Momma did a lot of sliding that day with Doodlebug (only the "big slides").

Daddy attempted to do this one, but the height of this was a little too much!  :-)  

 We were both quite hesitant for Ramsey to even go on this slide, but he's stubborn and there was no telling him "No!".      This may have been his favorite big slide of the day; we went up and down it about 8 times before I'd had enough!!  (I guess I'm getting wimpy and queasy in my old age.)

Luckily, Old McDonald's barns were close (as to offer a distraction!), so we were off to see the critters.   There were baby calves (a beef calf and a buffalo), chickens, miniature ponies, pigs, and goats.  The goats usually seem to be the place we spend the most time!

Eric gave Ramsey some corn and helped him feed them.

They were such friendly little guys, so Ramsey got to pet them too.

And of course, he had to ride the little horse!

Next big stop: the carousel!

 The Wizard's Balloon Ride was not too far from this and, once Ramsey spotted it, he was bound and determined that he was going on it.   Eric and I were perplexed and a bit confounded.  This thing goes up in the air 40' and the balloon cars spin.   We thought it might be a recipe for disaster.

 Reluctantly, I entered the ride with him, strapped us both in, and up up UP we went!  In my head, I was contemplating an uh... "escape" plan in case he freaked out.

That wasn't necessary though; Ramsey LOVED...IT!   We were shocked.  He wanted to go again, but Momma's stomach was getting queasy (again, the "age thing" - bleh) and that was enough spinning for a day.

Now, if only the roller coaster would have been going that day...!

To burn off what Ramsey had left for energy (Eric and I had depleted supplies by this time), we went to one of the playgrounds for littler kids.   

Ramsey did a lot of swinging,

digging,

and more slides.  This ice cream cone slide was his favorite "little slide", no doubt because it was A) ice cream and B) had an Oreo on the side.

Then, in the middle of his running through the sand from one thing to another, he spotted a little boy who was about his age.  His was hiding underneath the elephant slide.  So, he decided to join him.

 And, just like that, they became instant buddies!  His name was Corbin.  They played hide & seek, chase, went down the slides together, rode the dinosaur, etc.  While they were running wildly, we heard Ramsey exclaim, "We are boys!!!".     Later, when they had calmed down a bit, I heard Corbin ask Ramsey, "so, what do you want to do when you grow up?"    Such diverse conversations and notations with these little ones!

 Corbin had a little baby brother named Ashton.   Ramsey helped himself to the shared swing here with Corbin and little bro.  He's definitely not shy!  :-)

 The boys had to say goodbye and parted ways.   On our way back to the truck, we stopped and took a few more pictures, then called it a day.

Connor was just getting off of work, so we'd all be getting home at about the same time.  Ramsey was all ramped up to go "firecamping" again.