Gilroy Gardens

It was a nice day to venture out to Gilroy Gardens with some friends.
We started out at the car track -- MD drove this time:

 Then MD and MG went for a drive in this car:

 While E drove Sydney and me around a different track:

 After a walk around we hopped onto my favorite ride -- the Rainbow Garden, which just floats slowly down like a lazy river... and it was very relaxing for this momma:

 While our friends went on the ferris wheel, we walked through the monarch garden -- although it's not monarch butterfly time, so we settled for reading all the signs about the various plants:

 We met up with our friends again and went on the tram for the first time -- it was always closed when we were there last:

 We went over the Monarch Garden -- fun!  (would have been better if the butterflies were out flying around!)

 Then they were hungry, so while our friends went on a larger roller coaster (that my 3 are not quite comfortable with yet), we walked up ahead and watched a show while having our lunch:

 I love the new tin boxes we purchased!

 We heard a show going on and ran over... just in time for the ending... and photo time!  You know who that is right?!  My 3 love that book about Max and the Wild Things!

 And the long awaited... water play area!

 This was their favorite

 They were here for awhile...

 And I mean it...

 They spent a long time here!

 After what seemed like ages - they moved on!  How cool is this?!  See the bucket pouring out on those children?!  FUN!!!  (but not for my 3 -- they did the work and watched as the water poured on other children)

 E and Sydney stuck together for awhile:

 Then E and MD went way up there...

 And slid down here:

After that they needed a treat...

 and ICEE does wonders for hot children!

 Simple joys in life!!!!

Off for a few more rides -- hot air balloon:

 E went with our friends -- he's somewhere behind those bushes!

MG agreed to go on another roller coaster:

 While MD went on this Banana Boat ride with my friend's husband.  I got off the roller coaster just in time to see him on it.  It made me nauseous just to watch him!

 While MD was on the ride above, E was on this with Sydney and Audrey.  Today, he was very independent and was more than willing to ride with his friends, rather than cling on to me.  I am hopeful this will be a sign that when he starts preschool he will go from me without any tears!

 A train ride!!!

 Choo-chooooo!!!!

 Then MD saw this:

 And we waited in line...

 It was a short line though...

 And on the Garlic ride we went!!!!

 The artichoke:

  MG and friends:

 And our day ended at the playground... when the announcement was made that they park would close in 15 minutes!  Yes, we were there when the park opened at 11 AM and we left when the park closed at 5 PM.

What another fantastic day!!!  We LOVE summer with friends!!!!!