So, it's Saturday afternoon ... my two young apprentices (plus one learner - a friend of my daughter's) and I hop into the non-air conditioned Interceptor for what should be a short ride to the beach.

Well, 4 exits up the highway, we all but come to a complete stop. Now, I am not one to drive slow - especially on the highway - and so, my patience wears thin very quickly. After going 20 miles per hour (in a 65 - when I usually drive 75) I start to wonder if this is really worth the trip. It's hot and sticky outside and the cars surrounding me on our journey are not helping.

And so, after traveling for nearly 2 hours and getting no-where near the exit I need for the beach (I hadn't even made it to the highway I needed to exit from), I make a split second decision.... my inner Sith said "you made a promise, the opportunity is at hand and perfect! Get off this highway and continue on a northerly course until you reach your destination". Then of course my realist side kicked in and said "but you don't have the money".

Well, I listened to my inner Sith. As I am driving, I can see my eldest apprentice looking at the scenery, the highways signs, etc. Suddenly I hear "Mom - Where are we going!??!?!". I tell her to let me drive and a few minutes later, she is doing the same thing. I look at her in the mirror and say "stop it! I am trying to surprise you!".

And what a surprise it was.

Listening to her Mom's advice, the eldest apprentice had stopped looking at signs and scenary. She was chatting away with her learner (her best friend for the last 6 years) when her brother, my youngest apprentice said "MOM! What are we doing HERE!??!!?!"

My first thought was "This is where the fun begins!"!!!

You see, about a month and a half ago, I had told the kids I would take them to a fairly local amusement and water park before the end of summer and the start of school.

We had arrived at the Park and squeals of joy were being voiced from the back of the Interceptor once the girls figured out what my son was inquiring about.



We arrived at 2 or so and closed the park down. We went on the ferris wheel first, then the water park, then the girls went on the cork screw as my youngest apprentice and I watched. We went on ride after ride (they even made me exit one before it started because they had made me so dizzy)! We had onion rings and fries and watched the fireworks.

This was the first time my apprentices had been to a place like this and they were in heaven.

When I knew it was about time to go, we all went onto the Carousel. It's a carousel that was built in 1903... and it's the carousel that was always my last ride when my Dad and me would go to this particular park when I was but an apprentice.

And I drove all the way home that night smiling like I haven't smiled in a long, long time. In bringing happiness and joy to my kids (yeah, the learner is one I consider adopted - LOL), I brought a feeling of happiness and joy - and satisfaction to ME!

At one point, my daughter said (ok, perhaps it was a squeal) "Mom, this is better than any old beach, any day!

Not only was I happier than I've been, I slept better than I have in a while as well. Going to an amusement park didn't seem nearly as exhausting the last time I went.... oh, wait. I am not nearly as young as I used to be either.

It was a great day had by all and not a day that will soon be forgotten!