Adventures at the Carnival

So the carnival came to town. One thing about Valencia is that there is ALWAYS a lot going on! So one night this week we took the kids and allowed them 3 rides each. When we first got there we walked around the whole thing and looked at all the rides. Then we let them choose.

Now there is a time when, as parents, we debate in our minds whether to advise our children and let them make a choice, or to flat out not allow something. So this was one of those times when I pretty much allowed the kids to choose which ride they would go on. What was I thinking???? Let's just say that the original deal was that each kid would get two rides, but in the end I wanted to leave on a positive note and we allowed three (since they'd make a better choice on the third one, in theory, besides the fact that I would ultimately make them choose a non-threatening ride if needed).

We make it around the carnival and then notice down the way that one of the rides that was closed on our first round was now open. It was a v-shaped roller coaster that dragged the cars up backwards to the top of one side of the V and then dropped it so you go forward and back on the V, slowly decelerating until you stop. It is a similar motion to that rocking viking ship ride, though not as steep and it gradually slows down on its own.

Kerline, said NO. Jolie and Eva, YES! I really debated and actually thought Eva might find it fun, and Jolie would be scared. I told them both that it would probably be scary because it is faster and higher than it looks. Oh, I'm sorry, did MAMA say something???? No, they wanted to go...period. Hmmm...well, OK. So I went with them and we squeezed Eva into the middle of the seat. The towing 'dragon' came down and latched onto the back of the coaster and started pulling us up. The girls were excited! Then that hydraulic "ch" sound and we dropped down the track. Immediately, they were both screaming, but I looked over and Eva had sheer terror on her face and was crying. Jolie was just screaming. Back and forth, slowing down, kids still screaming. Then Jolie looks over at Eva and sees her crying. I can just imagine the train of thought..."Wow, Eva doesn't cry over anything and I do. I'm not crying, but she is! I better start crying!" So then I had both crying and screaming....great. The ride stopped and since we get two rides with our ticket the guy especially came over to us and asked us if we wanted to get off...Si, bajamos!

The trauma only lasted until we walked to the next ride where they BOTH wanted to go in the haunted house. Fabulous. I succeeded in talking Jolie out of it, but Kerline wanted to go, and Eva wanted to go with her. OooooK! Off they went in the little car. We heard all the fake noises, screams, growls, roars from the haunted house and then, all of a sudden, I heard a REAL scream from Eva and then crying! The operator ran inside and since they were almost out he just walked out with their car. More trauma. I'm feeling reeeeeally great about my mothering right about now. Maybe this was not the best place to allow the freedom of choice thing.

Next, Jolie wanted the octopus, so did Bronson and ONE adult had to go on with them. I volunteered as the least likely to vomit. Jolie actually ended up liking it as I was doing the heavy breathing/watching the horizon (skyline) so as not to get nauseous. ONE success - for the kid anyway!

We ended with bumper cars after Kerline, Maria and Elena decided to get themselves spun and jostled up and down for 10 minutes on the Sapito Loco (Crazy Little Toad) - they loved it! Everyone but Kerline liked the bumper cars.

So, the lesson of the day...hmm, there were so many...

There are new photos on Ann's new photo page on Flickr (Yahoo photos is closing - did you know?). Check 'em out at http://www.flickr.com/photos/abrownell/