Ponies, ponies, ponies!

Though we were both tired, Michael's dad and I decided to take Amelia to the local park this afternoon. This park is more than a park in the summer with rides and events for children. Len (Mike's dad) was really looking forward to letting Amelia ride the train in the park and I was just eager to let her get out of the house and have some fun.

We first brought Amelia to the petting zoo but quickly found out that tickets for all attractions were only available at the train station. It was difficult to get Amelia back up the hill, but she became very excited when she reached the top and saw both the train and the nearby carousel.

We bought tickets for all of us and tried to get Amelia to walk to the train, but she insisted on riding the carousel saying, "This train!" and "Ponies!" So, I brought her through the gate and put her on a pretty mechanical pony. She was a bit nervous when the ride started, but quickly started cooing with happiness. When the ride stopped I could not get her off her horse. I told her the ride was over, but she complained, "No, no, one more!" The ride had only cost one ticket, so we went around again on a different pony. After the second ride, she still wanted to try it again on yet another horse, but we managed to leave the merry-go-round and headed for the train.

Amelia enjoyed riding the train with grandpa. Again, she was a little tenuous at first but had fun once the ride began. She even applauded when the train returned to the station. After the train, came the petting zoo. Amelia's favorite animals were the goats who would lick her hands and attempt to eat my clothing.

It was almost impossible to get Amelia away from the goats, but we eventually got her to the pony rides. I walked along beside Amelia and her pony "midnight" as we took a lap around the small corral. It was difficult keeping up with the pony (being so pregnant), holding onto Amelia and avoiding the manure on the path but it was great to see Amelia so happy.

Then she became fascinated with the kids' fountain. Luckily, she did not insist on playing in the water as neither she nor I were dressed to get wet. After a while, Len and I decided we were just too tired to do anything else and tried to get Amelia back to the car. On the way there, Amelia ran off in the direction of the carousel. She could not let herself leave the ponies. It was difficult getting her back to the car and she cried and sniffled all the way home.

I guess the park has special attractions all summer long. I look forward to bringing Amelia there again when I'm not so pregnant, or better yet when Michael is available to chase after Amelia (he was moving all day again today).

Lisa