A big day for a big girl...

Ever since Matt and Reagan started going to Kings Island several years ago, it became ritual to stop at customer service to have Reagan measured to find out what rides she would be able to ride that day. They would see what the biggest height she qualified for and would give her a wristband for that height. This allowed us to avoid the dreaded "measuring stick" at each ride. Last year she hit the 48" mark which only left 7 rides that she could not ride. One of these being Diamondback. Ever since Matt and I rode Diamondback last year she "just couldn't wait to be able to ride it". She had asked several times this summer if we thought she would hit the 54" mark this year and be able to ride and I honestly didn't think she would. We told her it would probably be next year.

This past Sunday Matt and Reagan headed north to Mason, Ohio for the first Kings Island trip of the year. And guess what happened after walking in the gate and being measured...someone hit 54"!

This almighty band granted her access to every ride at Kings Island - including Diamondback. So off they headed to Diamondback. After waiting in line for 45 minutes and being just a few steps from being on the platform, the ride was closed because of weather. They tried to wait it out but after an hour decided to go eat lunch and let the storm pass. After lunch they got back in line and finally Diamondback was marked off her Bucket List. She rode in the second row for her first ride on the coaster with a 215 foot drop at a 74 degree angle. This ride still makes me nervous when we start the climb up the big hill. Matt said she never blinked an eye. After that they made their way around the park and rode every ride that had been just out of reach for her except Flight of Fear which was closed. To say she was excited would be the understatement of the year.

Here are a couple of good quotes from the day that Matt shared once he got home -

After finding out that she's hit the ever important 54" mark that enables her to finally ride everything at Kings Island. "I'm so excited my stomach hurts. Maybe I need to fart......(grunts). Nope, I'm just excited."

While at Kroger to buy the tickets she sees Matt pick up 2 "adult" tickets and tells him he needs to get a child's ticket for her. He explains that you have to buy an adult ticket for anyone between 3-61 years of age and over 48" tall. Later she responds with, "I love Kings Island! Not only do I get to ride all the rides but they think I am an adult!"

Despite the off and on rain all day, the two of them stuck it out until the park closed at 10 and finished the day in style - riding Diamondback, in the dark, in a slight drizzle, while the fireworks were going off. Not too shabby.

I think it was a bittersweet day for daddy, his little girl has grown up and finally hit that big mark and could ride all the big rides with him but that also meant she is no longer our little girl that has some milestones to reach.

So what were Alex and I doing?
Pretty much just being lazy. We enjoyed a day of sitting on the couch, snuggling and playing. I was sad when I found out Reagan had hit that big mark, I would have loved to have been there with her but I am glad her daddy was the first to take her once she was able to ride the big rides. Kings Island has been their special place for a long time. He rode with her when she rode a roller coaster for the first time and was able to ride with her when she finally was able to ride the biggest one there. It is special. Plus I reminded myself that we will get to go through all those milestones all over again in the upcoming years with Alex.

Another successful trip to Kings Island for Matt and Reagan!