Category Archives: Milestone

Mar 18

BACKYARD BUG HUNTING

I went out to the backyard to do some bug hunting! We have lots of leaves and stones to uncover, so we knew it would be a promising place.

Almost immediately, I found a centipede!

Then look, it was a pill bug!

It rolled up in my hand when I picked it up.

Rolling over rocks is a good way to find some bugs.

Millipede! You might not want to pick them up if you don’t want to experience pain. They can release a toxin that irritates skin. I learned that the hard way.

Snail finding!

We uncovered paving stones that had tons of worms and snails.

And this green stink bug!

We’ve seen lots of brown ones, but this was our first green one.

Why was I so excited here?

Because I found newts! NEWTS! These were under a rock in the park across the street.

I mean, how cool are these?

I found out later that they release a toxin, as well. It’s not painful, but wash your hands after you hold them! And definitely don’t eat them.

Then I found the baby! Wow, what a super successful bug hunting expedition!

Jan 8

COASTER STUDIOS & OTHER YOUTUBERS

An early birthday present was a Zoom conversation with Taylor Bybee! He’s the person behind Coaster Studios, one of my favorite YouTube channels. I talked to him for about 45 minutes, asked him questions, and told him some of the coasters I’ve been on. He’s really cool!

I also got a video message from Chris at Airtime Thrills!

And from Peter at Theme Park Crazy!

Nov 19

THE SCHOOL BUS!

Now that I live in the Cedaroak boundary, I get to take the school bus! I wasted no time and started the first day we lived there. This is me getting off at my stop for the first time!

And we have a nice little walk home, through the park and over two little bridges.

Nov 18

WE MOVED!

We moved to a new house! Before we left the old house, I got to sit where the TV used to be.

Finley helped pack up the garage.

This is what it looked like before the furniture was about to get loaded onto the truck.

Sunnie didn’t like the moving process at all.

But Finley seemed completely relaxed about it.

He did want to spend one more time in his catio…

…before it was taken apart forever. The next catio will be epic, Finley! (Window art by my friend, Cayah!)

Sep 8

FIRST DAY OF 2nd GRADE

It was my first day of 2nd grade! And I actually went to school IN PERSON. I thought it was kind of strange, but I was also really excited.

I have Miss Janes as my teacher this year and I enter the school through a different gate than I did when I was in kindergarten.

I had lots of fun at school, but I was tired when I got home! (But then I was totally ready to play Planet Coaster when I got inside.)

Aug 15

SILVERWOOD THEME PARK

We went to Silverwood Theme Park in northern Idaho! They have a section called Roller Coaster Alley where most of their extreme coasters live.

My first ride was Corkscrew. Fun fact: this was the first Arrow Corkscrew ever built and the first inverting coaster in the world. It originally operated at Knott’s Berry Farm until it was relocated to Silverwood in 1990.

It was also a rough headbanger.

Later, we rode the wooden coaster, Timber Terror, and this kiddie coaster, Tiny Toot.

I loved this swing ride called Barnstormer.

The next day, it was time for the long drive home…

…and a lunch stop at the Boardman, Oregon-famous C&D Drive-In. Daddy actually had the Bozo Burger! (I had the strawberry smoothie.)

Jul 4

WILD WAVES

Kenji and I went to Wild Waves Theme and Water Park! I was sooooo excited!!! The first ride I went on was The Wild Thing roller coaster. It had a vertical loop and two corkscrews. It was great, and also my first Arrow Corkscrew.

Then I went on Timberhawk: Ride of Prey, an S&S Sansei wooden coaster. It was so fun, I went on it 3 times. It’s my new favorite coaster!

Here’s Mommy and I riding in the front row before our first ride.

Here’s a video of my off-ride reaction!

After riding the 48″ and up rides, I found Kenji in the water park and he came with me to ride some more rides!

His first ride there was Kiddie Coaster, a Zamperla Tornado powered coaster, one of only four still operating in the world.

Then Kenji rode with Daddy on the ferris wheel.

We also went on what I believe is the worst carousel in the world.

But Frog Hopper was so fun!

So was Red Baron! I’m flying in the red bi-plane and Kenji is in the white one behind me.

That’s a wrap on Wild Waves. It’s my new favorite amusement park I’ve ever been to!