Save time! Get this info sent directly to you by subscribing to my RSS feed for free. You know you want to!
One of my 5-year-old’s dreams for this summer was to go to Storyland, a small amusement park aimed at young kids, located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We had been warned that my 12- and 10-year-olds probably wouldn’t be too interested in the goings-on, because everything was fairytale-themed and fairly tame.
So this week, with her big brother on a mission trip and her big sister and dad in California, we decided it was the perfect time to head north. We had a fabulous time, just the two of us, and NO TEARS! Woohoo! I thought I’d share a few of the lessons I learned during our day trip:
1. 150 miles in California DOES NOT equal 150 miles in New England. To me, 150 miles = 2 hours. Here, 150 miles = 3 hours. Good to know, especially when planning bathroom stops.
2. The twirly-type rides should have age LIMITS as well as age REQUIREMENTS. I’m too darn old for that stuff. I still don’t think I’ve recovered.
3. A five-year-old’s idea of fun is very different from a 41-year-old’s idea of fun. Callie was entranced with this attraction that basically amounted to picking up foam balls, throwing them in a giant vacuum cleaner, watching them spit out, and then repeating the process. She spent about a half an hour there, and she kept running over and saying, “I’m having so much fun!” then running off again. To me, it was housework. For her — fantasmagorical fun!
4. Cotton candy tastes better at the circus. We went to the Hanneford Royal Circus as part of the day, and we HAD to eat cotton candy. It’s mandatory, isn’t it?
5. A true princess is one who makes a little girl’s dream come true. We almost missed Cinderella because she was leaving her castle to take part in a show, but she stopped and gave Cal a big hug and posed for a photo. She was so sweet and gracious, just as I imagine the original Cinderella was. Then I watched her make her way over to a group of kids and adults waiting in line for a ride, just to say hello to them. Magical. 
6. Humpty Dumpty is a little scary. Even more so because his eyes move from side to side. I think I would have pushed him off the wall myself, if I’d had the opportunity.
7. Mom is a little happier if she gets to shop on the way home. We hit the outlet mall before we hit the highway. Banana Republic is my friend.
As you can tell, we had a blast. I didn’t bring my big camera, we didn’t go on every ride, we didn’t see every show. We ate a measly lunch of pizza and hot dogs, and called it great. After all, life doesn’t have to be perfect to be good. In fact, sometimes the imperfection is part of the charm — and the memories.
Related posts:
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Here’s something that is a New England gem – Circus Smirkus. All of the performers are kids, except the ring master. It just left Brattleboro, VT, but has several more weeks on the road. Check them out at http://www.smirkus.org. My girls LOVE it! Even your older kids should like it. These young performers are amazing.
Ahhh…Storyland! We went there about 8 years ago with my girls and had a great time, even with the youngest in a stroller and too young for the rides. It’s so much fun watching their faces light up!
That humpty dumpty picture is so not helping my aversion to eggs.
For a second, I thought that was you dressed up as a princess! My girls would probably love that place. What a great way to spend one-on-one time with your little one. Thanks for sharing!