Six Flags Over Texas

On Friday we went to Six Flags with other members of the cast and crew. A great day was had by all. We were so lucky because almost all the rides had no lines. I discovered that both my kids are fearless when it comes to rides. After being greeted by Bugsbunny and friends we began to explore the park. The teacup rides were fun for all and everybody (including Missy) was able to ride without turning green. The Pirate ship almost did in Colin but he was a trooper. His face was priceless and it was touch and go for a moment with those below him watching closely (John, Melissa and Dave) hoping he did not lose his cookies! Maria totally amazed us by going on some scary rides like the "Pirate Ship, a rRollercoster that turns sideways and is supposed to be like a scateboard, a flume rollercoaster, etc.... She giggled like mad and loved all of them. She got very upset and insulted when we hit the first ride that she was not tall enough to go on. It was a bucking flying cow ride that whipped around. At the end of the day I asked her which was her favorite ride and she told me it was the "Cow Ride." When I said, "But you weren't allowed on it," she said, "Yes, but it was my favorite." Mikey went on every rollercoaster he could find. I was very surprised that Dad was keeping up with him on the rides and then at 4pm
Dad pushed his luck to far. They both went on the batman ride and then decided to go on a second time and invited me. Let's just say you need a good lung capacity to ride because you scream the whole way and when you get off you think "What the heck just happen!" The ride is a rollercoaster where your feet hang. (No floor) You go upside down and sideways and every other way. When your on it you can't tell if your upside down or not. I survived it thanks to the tips from John and Mikey. Well, this ride finally did Dad (Mike) in. We had to leave him in Johnny Rockets to recover. When we check on him he was slouched down sleeping in the booth and all you could see from the outside window was the cowboy hat on his head. (LOL) He looked line a drunk cowboy. We ended the day with Mikey going on the "Titan" rollercoaster with Michelle five times in a row. He had to get a new partner after Batman knocked off Dad and Mom. Maria really enjoyed meeting the different characters along the way and took pictures with: Scooby, Superheroes and Taz. Maria ended the day with going on the Carousel and "El Sombrero with Dad. She also met "Tweety Bird" and was a little upset because Dad did not have the camera. She was also upset with Tweety because he did not say "Tweet, Tweet." Mikey bought red Superman Cape for him and a Pink Super Girl Cape for Maria. I was glad to go back on the bus and relieve the stress on the feet. This was just a great day!

Sixth Floor Museum

On Thursday we went to the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas. The museum is located on the floor of the building where Lee Harvey Oswald shot JFK from. The boys teacher gave them papers with questions on them that they had to get the anwsers to during the visit. When we entered the museum they gave us all headphones with a recorder. As you went through the exhibit you listened to the narrator and could stop the audio on your recorder to read the displays and watch the various interesting videos along the way. The boys seemed as facinated as the rest of the country with the possibility of a conspiracy. Mikey who is nine, was totally facinated trying to understand what conspiracy meant. I tried to explain that he should review the facts and evidence and then form his own opinion instead of being swayed in either direction. There were plenty of peddlers in the street selling papers about the "Conspiracy View." He asked me if "Nana is conspiracy?" (LOL) I told him to ask her. The boys got a discount on some newspapers from one of the peddler who believed in the conspiracy because they noticed his money blowing away and picked the dollar bills up for him. It was really interesting being there on the eve of the 45th anniversary of JFK's death. You could look at the window where Lee Harvey Oswald look while shooting the President. They also had the FBI's model of the scene (buildings and all.) It was very sad especially when you reflected on the tragedies that were still to befall this family. Watching the videos that contained parts of JFK's famous speeches really gave you a sense of how he inspired a nation. We also visited the grassy knoll and stood on the spot where the President was killed. They have an "X" spray painted in the street on the exact spot. We also saw the jail building where "Jack Ruby," the man who killed Oswald was incarcerated until his death of cancer three and half years later. This trip was a school field trip for the boys and because of that we all really read everything and went slowly through the museum at times helping them find anwsers to their assignment. We all agreed this was the first time we really read everything in a museum. It really took time to get the anwsers but in the end we all enjoyed learning so much. Then we visited the shop on site and Maria bought a stuffed doll of Jackie and Mikey picked out little JFK and Jackie figures. Of course when we got back to the room they both created an "Opera" led by Mikey with their toys. It was a little disconcerting hearing four year old Maria singing with her Jackie doll "My husband's been shot." I guess they will retain what they learned for a long time.