Bobby and I don’t have children — unless you count the four-legged kind—but we do have nieces and nephews. Some of those nieces and nephews have children. That makes us great aunt and uncle to a few really great kids. This summer we have been able to enjoy time with two of our great-nephews, De’Aveon and Noah.
Earlier this summer, the boys stayed with their great-grandparents in Lodi. That meant we got to see them pretty often during their 17 day visit. On one of those days, Uncle Bobby and I took a day off from work to go and play at Acres of Fun in Wooster, Ohio. We had a great time.
We started by getting a card filled with points to use for the video games. The boys seemed to be able to get the cards to work when I couldn’t. I guess it is all in how you swipe the card! There were lots of games that they got tickets for, which meant that a trip to the Acres of Fun store would be in order. After a full day, they each had enough points to get a wiffle ball and bat set. I heard later that it might not have been the best choice, but hey, we are just the aunt and uncle!
After playing for a while, we ate pepperoni pizza, fries and nachos for lunch. I’m always amazed at how much boys can eat. Then it was off to the bumper boats! Noah and De’Aveon had a great time driving around the pool. But truth be told, they probably had more fun trying to get Uncle Bobby wet with the squirt guns. The boys were a little disappointed that they couldn’t drive the Go Karts because they weren’t tall enough. However, Uncle Bobby said that by next summer D’ should be able to drive one by himself.
We ended the day at Acres of Fun with tons of fun in the indoor playground. I’m glad it was indoor, because that was one hot day. D’ and Noah enjoyed the ball pit the most. They even tricked Grandma and Grandpa when they came to pick them up, by hiding in the balls.
Since the boys live in Columbus with their mom, Ashley, we don’t get to see them a lot. However, this past weekend we went to Magic Mountain Fun Center on the outskirts of Columbus, to celebrate D’s birthday. I swear, it doesn’t matter if it is Acres of Fun or Magic Mountain, the good times just go on and on!
Magic Mountain is bigger than Acres of Fun, but that makes sense since it is in the city. I’ve only been in it three times in my life and two of those times were this summer! Every time I go, though, the place reminds me of a casino for kids. There’s all this noise and machines that light up and reward you just enough that you want to keep trying your luck.
The boys again took a turn at the bumper boats. They were soaked at the end of their ride. Uncle Bobby didn’t come out unscathed either. The boys would squirt him (and Ashley and me) from the pool. Check out the video. If you listen close, you’ll hear Noah say, “Uncle Bobby, you peed yourself!” Bathroom humor…boys love it.
Probably the highlight of the day was the fact that D’ was tall enough to drive the Rookie Go Karts. He got the chance to take two turns. I think both times he ended up passing some of the other drivers. When I was watching him, it looked like he was being nice and not passing the leader. But then all of a sudden he made his move! He came in first both times he drove. Noah was not tall enough to drive, but he did get to ride with his mom in the bigger Go Karts.
Uncle Bobby, who is great at all things photographic, was able to take videos and pictures of the whole day. You can check some of them out on my YouTube channel.
One of the best things about being an aunt and uncle is that after you load the kids up on sugar, caffeine and adrenaline, you get to say good-bye and go home to a quiet house. Sorry, Ashley! In twenty years you’ll understand.
For those of you who have ever gone to Acres of Fun in Wooster or Magic Mountain in Columbus, I’d love to hear about your time. Share your story in the comments section below.
