May 15th -
Two of my closest friends from college planned a trip up to the Mall of America and we were able to spend an incredible day with them. We hadn't seen Jenn and Helen in almost two years - the last time we got down to Chicago was the summer of 2010. Amaya didn't quite remember them, but she warmed up to them pretty quick. First on Amaya's agenda... RIDES!
Amaya on Blue's Skiddoo
Then we raced over to Swiper's Sweeper. She LOVES this ride!
We volunteered Helen to take Amaya on the Barnyard Hayride Roller Coaster. I wish we could have captured Helen's expression on camera - I've never laughed so hard!
On to the Diego Bus Ride...
The kiddie rides were a little too tame for Miss Amaya... so I thought we'd see if she was tall enough to go on the Pepsi Streak roller-coaster (the green and orange one that goes all over the park). She was tall enough... and brave enough... Jenn and I both went on too! During the entire ride, Amaya kept saying, "This is SO AWESOME!" It was a lot of fun - for all three of us. She didn't have any interest to go on the log ride because she wasn't wanting to get wet (even though I brought extra clothes... go figure.)
I decided to take Jenn on the Sponge Bob ride... yeah, you know the one... straight up, then straight down, then around and around and upside down.... I've been on it a couple of times with my nieces and nephews, but Jenn had never been on it.... brave soul...
Here we are before going on the ride....EEEK!
We were the only two on the ride... right in the front row... and I screamed so much that I lost my voice for the next couple of days. Thanks Jenn for braving the ride with me!
We ate lunch at the food court and then shopped for a little bit. Amaya is a pretty good shopper considering she's only 4, but after awhile... she wants to do something else. So... we stopped and picked up a snack... and took some random pictures.
Amaya and Jenn
Helen and Amaya
All three!
After our snack, we decided to go miniature golfing. Of all the times we've been to Mall of America, we've never gone miniature golfing. We had a great time and it's a pretty fun course.
Helen setting up her shot.
Amaya gets it in!
Jenn attempting to get ahead of Steve.
Awesome views of the entire theme park!
Three buddies....
After celebating Steve's win at mini-golfing, we ate at Rainforest Cafe. Amaya was a little nervous about the snakes and the gorillas and the thunder storms, but eventually relaxed when our waitress told her it was all pretend.
Helen and Amaya checking out the gators.
Throughout the day, Amaya picked up some souveniers with her own money... she bought a bunch of stickers, a Hello Kitty doll, a headband, some taffy for her and Grandma Gustafson... but by the time we got to the American Girl store, she didn't have enough money left over to buy anything. My heart melted for her and I desperately wanted to buy her something for her Bitty Baby, but with Dave Ramsey's voice in my head, we left the store empty handed....
...until Jenn and Helen gave Amaya a little bag ... with some Bitty Baby accessories in it! Amaya was so excited! Thank you Jenn and Helen so much - not only for the gift for Amaya, but for loving and spoiling her so much! The two of you are definitely honorary aunties!
Our day was winding down and we still had the drive back to Rochester... One last picture of everyone...
Thanks again Jenn and Helen for a great day! We won't forget it in a long time! Come see us again!!!
