Wonderland Round 2!!

The school district issued a summer challenge to all students over social media, with free tickets to Wonderland as the prize. It wasn't well advertised so everyone who entered ended up winning, including us! The kids were thrilled to get a chance to go back for more thrills and one last taste of summer before it closed for the season. 

We had a free pass for the Texas Tornado, the one bigger roller coaster that normally costs an extra fee to ride. Since we only had the one ticket, Sophie had to ride all by herself, but she's brave and didn't mind!

With Gnarly the Gnome

I was even a fun mom and sprung for a cup of dip and dots to end the day on a sweet note

The Howes Adventures in Wonderland

Wonderland is a small theme park near our house. We bought tickets in advance through Sophie's school as part of a fundraiser, but then never got around using them during the summer because it was either too hot, or too late, or we were traveling. Labor Day was the last before closing for the season though, so we finally made an effort to get there and the kids had so much fun! 

Wonderland has a mix of little kid rides, small roller coasters and thrill rides, and water rides. I spent the first half with the two boys while Dave took Sophie on the bigger rides that had height restrictions, then later we met up and did a few rides together, and then I took the big kids while Dave hung out with Charlie. In hindsight, we should have gotten a babysitter and left Charlie behind because there was so little he could do, but it all worked out with a little bit of shuffling. 

The favorite ride of the day was the swinging pirate ship. We rode it at least 5 or 6 times. It was big enough to give them a thrill and make your stomach drop, but not so big or rough that the kids were scared. I am glad to see they all have an appetite for rides since I love roller coasters!

The boys and I riding the train around little kid land

The carousel is always fun and Davey was so excited to get the only dragon among the horses

We were worried it would be crowded since it was a holiday and the last day of their season, but lines were short and sometimes there was no wait at all.

One happy boy and one stunned boy on the firetruck ride

Sophie riding Avalanche by herself because Davey was too short and I had to stay back with him, and Dave was off with Charlie. She is so brave!

I took the bigger kids on a log flume ride that turned out to be more intense than expected. The wave at the bottom of the drop was HUGE and completely soaked us from head to toe. Sophie handled it ok, but Davey was not very excited and told me to never take him on that ride again.

This jet stream racer ride was a favorite of both kids. You just sit in a raft and then jets of water blast you through a tunnel. Quick and simple, but it made them smile every time!

 Headed home after a hot, fun day