When I mention that we’re going to Hershey Park, the response is usually “Again? You must really like that place.” I do, but unfortunately the past four times we have attempted to go, we have been thwarted at the last minute. Call it the O’Malley Curse. When we went back in October with The Neighbors, we didn’t actually make it to the amusement park because of the lousy weather. We went back in December, but only planned to do the outside light festival, so I’m not counting that visit. Then we planned to go in April, and I thought ahead and checked the weather forecast. With a 90% chance of rain (and it did rain torrents that weekend), we aborted the mission and rescheduled for June. In June, the family we were supposed to go with had a medical emergency and the trip got canceled at the last minute. This time, I didn’t believe we were actually going to make it until we checked into the hotel. For the kids’ sake, thank goodness this was finally a successful mission!
By the numbers:
5 adults
7 kids
4 boys, three of whom were named Nick
Meals for 12 at every stop
My first visit to Waffle House and Bob Evans
Madeline’s 4th visit to Hershey, PA (her first was when she was just 10 months old)
Times we had to stop on the way there? 0
Times we had to stop on the way home? 2
Hours in the park Friday night: 4
Torrential downpour while in the park Friday night: 1
Hours in the park Saturday: 12
Times Madeline rode on the “cow ride”: 2 (it’s a ride in Chocolate World that she loves, complete with happy singing cows that make delicious chocolate)
Times Madeline rode the Carousel: 4
Depth of water Nick swam in: 6 feet (so proud!)
Days my calves might need to recover from all the walking: unknown
This used to be my favorite section of Chocolate World – all the peanut butter items they sell. Now, unfortunately, in a cruel twist of fate, it’s not. All this clean eating I’ve been doing this year has really done a number on the little sweet tooth I had. Pity.
Madeline spied these monkeys in a game booth, and her monkey obsession is still apparently in full force and she was desperate for one. I played the game once with a free voucher and won a small dolphin. Nick went back and played for her, winning something else, and convinced them to trade the two smaller prizes for the equally small monkey. He came tearing across the park with the monkey, so proud to give it to her. And I was bursting with pride on what he did for her. Love him to pieces!
No fear this one!
Clearly not my hand since it is absent of chipped black nail polish!
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