Saturday, August 28, 2010

Trip to Six Flags Great Adventure

Liam playing with his Lego car.


Kay and Liam in  the  Rolling Thunder train.

Fort Independence

El Toro
El Toro
Mr. Six

The kid and I went to Six Flags Great Adventure yesterday. It was a sunny, breezy day, and we were hoping that it wouldn't be too crowded like the last few times we've been there. 

It WAS crowded, but we managed to go on Congo Rapids 2 consecutive times without much wait.  By the second trip we were all drenched!  There's nothing worse than walking around with wet clothing and wet socks/shoes. 


We then walked to the other side of the park so the kids could ride The Runaway Train. On the way there, we stopped so I could have a photo taken with the kids.  (I know, wonders never cease!) Afterward, we took the skyline which took us back to the park where they kids rode the Jolly Roger and the Buccaneer.

We got in line at 3:00 p.m. to watch the dolphins and  sea lion show in Fort Independence at 3:30 p.m. Our diligence paid off as the kids were able to score front seat rows. They wanted to be splashed by the dolphins - me, not so much, so I sat on the 5th row.  The show was pretty much a bust.  They had "technical difficulties" so we couldn't hear a thing! Last year's show, "Shiver Me Timbers," was really good so I have no idea why they would change it.

Another thing I've noticed is that there are less characters in the park posing for photos with the guests. We managed to find Mr. Six and had a picture taken with him. Of course, Liam didn't want his photo taken...


We spend about 6 hours at the park and dined at our favorite pizza shop in town. This is probably our last trip to Six Flags until October, when Fright Fest begins.  The kids go back to school full time on September 7th.  I am ready, but they aren't! :)10009
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Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Toot! I've Been Published!

Sept. 2010 Issue of Somerset Digital Studio  

Home on the Range    

The Sweet Life of Kaylie and Liam



Up close detail of layout
Nature Gives to Every Season 




Somerset Digital Studio is published by Stampington & Co. You can buy a copy of the magazine at your local Barnes & Nobles or directly from Stampington

You've probably seen the first 2 layouts, but the last one titled Nature Gives To Every Season is my ode to autumn that I created a few months ago but never posted on line.

I also want to congratulate my friend ANN MORTON, who also had 3 beautiful pages published in the same magazine! A well-deserved honor, my dear Ann. 9972
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Friday, August 20, 2010

My Blog Has a New Look / A Word About the Music

Have you seen the new color scheme that my blog has? Love, love, love the colors!


I also wanted to point out that my music playlist, which you can find (and turn off, if you want) at the blog's footer contains one song - I WANT TO BE A BILLIONAIRE - that contains an expletive.  When you listen to it on the radio, Travis uses the word "freaking," but he uses the "F" word on the original version. I usually don't include this type of music in my blog repertoire, but it has a catchy beat arrangement that I like. One song out of 46 is not too bad, I don't think! You have been warned. :)
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Safari Photos

As you already know, my kids and I have a season pass to Six Flags Great Adventure/Hurricane Harbor/Safari.  It is a good thing, too, because it has been a great disappointment this year as far as being able to ride most of the attractions. I'd be even madder if I had paid good money to go to the park one day and not be able to board any of the rides or have to wait in line for wait times of  45 minutes to 1.5 hours in the middle of summer.  

Six Flags Great Adventure:  The few times that we have gone to the theme park, it has been packed and just a total waste of time as we can't board any of the rides that we want.  The kids don't even want to go there anymore. I am hoping that I can take them when the temperatures are cooler.  We always look forward to Fright Fest.

Hurricane Harbor: With the heatwave we have been having here in New Jersey, I take the kids at least once a week to the water park.  Again, I have been extremely disappointed with the extremely long wait times to board the rides and the lack of equipment.  For example,  the kids love going on the Taak et esy Creek but they end up having to walk 2 or 3 times around the track before they can get a tube that someone will graciously give them.

I've noticed that there aren't enough tubes or floating devices to accommodate the amount of people entering the park.  I suppose that this is where their other lucrative business kicks in: tube rental. Due to the lack of tubes at the stations, one is "forced" to rent a tube to be able to ride the attractions for which we paid the entrance for.

So, what does one do when one lacks a tube? One has to go to the wave pool or walk the creek.

Safari: I like the safari a lot. My only observation is that the elephants need to be in a bigger enclosure. Yes, I know, that the safari only has so much space, but it seems that they always cluster around the umbrella by the small pond.
I often wonder why the bears walk around slowly and seem to lack energy.   I know that is not the most ideal habitat for the animals, but to be honest, this is the only way that most of us will ever get to see them live, at least, this is the only way that my kids and I will ever seem them.

Anyway, enough griping! Here are some of the photos I took while there.
Female Cardinal that visits my backyard.
Female Cardinal preening herself. Must look good for Mr. Cardinal, you know?!

 
 
White Tail Gnu.

White Tail Gnu and baby.
White Tail Gnu: Up Close and Personal

Male Ostrich
Black Bear in Algae pond.
Brown Bear
Sacred Ibis
Crested Crane
  9898
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Creating Scatters Tutorial: The Obsessive Compulsive’s Guide to Random Scatters

The Obsessive Compulsive’s Guide to Random Scatters
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Sunday, August 15, 2010

Papa's Visit

I Love Papa.
Papa and I look good together.
There's no one like Papa.
I'd rather kiss Papa than to be kissed by Papa.
Papa's mustache tickles when he kisses me thus the reason I'd much rather kiss HIM.
Group hug.

Papa (Kait's dad) came over for a visit. He brought Kaylie Mom's collection of Tweety birds and movies.  He stayed for dinner and just before he left, I asked him to pose for a couple of picts.  You know, I don't have many pictures of the kids with Papa so I better work on fixing that mistake.
In fact, I vow to appear in more pictures with the kids. I will set aside my reservations and my "fat"complex and just enjoy the moment. :)
Have a great day wherever you are! 9845
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