We earned free tickets to Great America through their reading program. We arrived right when they opened, and the big boys and I made a beeline to the newest ride: X-Flight.

See how big their smiles are? The line was short and the day was young!

Jake wore the GPS watch so he could track statistics such as speed and elevation changes.

These guys are definitely roller coaster junkies.

Derek on the Superman ride. In a harness facing the ground. Scary fun!

Jeremy rode some of the biggies like the American Eagle with no problem. I told him about my very first roller coaster experience, which also happened to be on the Eagle. I was sitting next to my Aunt Jan who told me to just turn and focus on her throughout the ride. I did, and she said I turned green.

Jeremy was much braver than his mommy and didn’t want to stop.

Ruthie was much much more limited than she cared to be due to her height-challenged stature. I can’t wait until she sprouts a few more inches and is raring to go on the big coasters.

In the meantime, she rode the teacups…

the airplane…

and her first roller coaster, The Little Dipper. She screamed with glee the entire ride. And I taught her to raise her arms when you go downhill. It was downright hilarious.