Play-Learn-Grow-Repeat

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
I grew up close to Hershey, Pennsylvania, the home of both Hershey’s Chocolate and Hersheypark amusement park.  I remember riding my first roller coaster there and experiencing my first adrenaline rush.  Like any kid, I wanted to ride them over and over again.  I distinctly remember begging to go to Hersheypark every summer.  I loved the rides, fun atmosphere and the smell of chocolate in the air.  After a long and tiring day at the park, a nice cold chocolate milk shake from the famous Chocolate World was a refreshing treat.

Yesterday, my husband, mother-in-law and I treated Jack to a day at Hersheypark.  It was extremely hot, but we all had fun.  Jack has experienced the park several times in the past, but this year he was eager to try bigger roller coasters.  He rode one of their classic coasters, The Comet.  It’s an old wooden coaster with lots of hills and turns.  After the initial fear, Jack loved feeling the breeze through his hair and throwing his hands up in the air.  We were all proud of him for finding the courage to ride his first “real” roller coaster.  He also enjoyed many other rides throughout the park and, of course, the cotton candy ice cream.

Jack’s favorite part of the day was riding through Chocolate World  – where there was plenty of air conditioning. We hit this spot last and all four of us were thankful for the cold air blast.  Jack enjoyed watching how chocolate was made at the factory as well as how wrappers were placed on the candy bars.  I don’t think he’s ever seen so much candy in one place.

I’m glad we got to show Jack a good time yesterday.  Every time I go back to Hersheypark, I can’t help but remember the simple thrills of being a kid.