A Wonderful Birthday

You may have heard about my birthday curse. It started on my 30th birthday when my sweet hubby moved me across the nation and basically had to ask some friends of his (strangers to me) to take me to dinner while he had to work late. For 31, I was sick in my first trimester with Suzy. It started to look up last year in London. This year, the curse is officially OFF! Thank you, my sweet, dear friends Krista, Tara, and Debbie as well as my wonderful Rob and babies for helping to make this a wonderful day!

Krista emailed me a few weeks ago about Morgan's Wonderland. It's a special amusement park designed for people with Special Needs. Given that we are both school OTs, we just had to make the trip to "support it". Actually, it's pretty well funded and only costs $15 per person. If you have a special need, it's free. If you accompany a person with a special need, it's only $5. I, however, will always gladly pay the small $15 fee regardless. It was WELL worth it. Plus, I want it to stay open and not go under. ;) So... be prepared for lots of photos that will make you want to join me on a return adventure. I'm so excited, I am currently even trying to get a group together for next week. :) It was THAT fun! Even at a sweltering 94 Texas Summer degrees.

Krista is so wonderful. She brought me a balloon (an Andy favorite), a special Birthday Chalise selected by her sweet little Joey, and these super fun cakes for us all to celebrate.
She even had a little Tigger theme for me. It was a college thing.....
Notice the little jet out for the wheelchairs. So All kids can play in the sand. They also had seperate raised boxes.
A super fun raised water play area.
Make your own paths to control the water.
Of course, I had to have a photo of Joey playing with the PVC... Ha!
Notice the extended back on the Merry Go Round. It had straps like a five point harness.
Andy and I rode in a charriot for wheelchairs. It, too, went up and down.
The girls LOVED this ride. Since we had the park basically to ourselves, we rode it four times in a row.
They have jeeps that will also accomodate wheelchairs. Specially designed just for this park. It was like the old fashion cars at some of the bigger parks.
My "Queen of the Hill".

There is a sensory village with lots of interactive stuff. If you stood really still, these butterflies would land on your shadow.

This garden was really cool. As you stepped on the floor, it changed and lit up.

You could "catch" pebbles falling on this wall.
Design your own car on a touch screen interactive thingy. Eventually, they will scan your wristband and email them to you.
A green screen where you can be a weatherman.

Truly the most accessible playground equipment I have ever seen.

A special store.
The cash register really worked and you could really scan your items. A huge favorite for Andy.
Have I mentioned lately how I feel so blessed that my kids adore one another?
A ramp you could actually slide a wheelchair down. Or a butt train.. whatever. ;)

Do you see Suzy's wristband? Each family / group gets one. You can scan any of them at several points in the park and it will tell you where each individual in that group is currently located. Way cool. Plus, it ensures that someone with cognitive issues isn't trusting enough to leave the park without their group. I REALLY was impressed with this.

We were all amazed at how fast Andy figured out how to hit the water targets.

Remote controlled boat races.
A music area.

The Wonderland Express
This was about 2:00. Poor Andy was so tired.
He didn't even make it out of the parking lot when we left at 3:3o. Sweet little guy. He was such a trooper.
I had another balloon ("nuder mamoon!") when I got home. My sweet Rob. Plus daisies. Daisies are my favorite. :)
Then, after I had showered (and already changed into my jammies) from my super hot day out, my sweet neighbors serenaded me with a birthday cookie, flowers, and even MORE balloons! I love my neighbors. I love my family. And once again, I love my birthday. It was very happy, indeed. Thank you, all my sweet friends and family who called, emailed, and facebooked to wish me a Happy Birthday. My wish was granted. The curse is officially lifted.