Up Way High (by Katie)

My church had a big carnival on Sunday. I've been before but I don't really remember it. So it must not have been as fun last year because I can't imagine not being able to remember this! Mommy was working the helicopter ride so me and Daddy got to walk around together for a while, but not before Mommy slathered me with sunscreen giving me a nice pasty look for the afternoon. Daddy took me to the bean bag toss, train ride, and petting zoo. They were all lots of fun.

After Mommy finished her shift at the helicopters, I thought it was time to go. But the best was yet to come! We walked over to this great big pirate ship ride. It had parrots on it and the boat rocked back and forth and went up way high! Mommy asked if I wanted to ride and I said, "YESH!" Mommy told me she was too big to ride it with me and it was just for little kids. I still wanted to ride it. I found my friend, Mary Wallace, and we got in line together.

We watched a group of kids climb up on the ship and get buckled in (to be safe). They all looked really brave and sort of scared too.

We watched as the big pirate ship began to rock back and forth and swing up way high. The kids on the boat screamed! Were they having fun or freaking out? I wasn't sure so I squeezed Mary Wallace's hand tighter.

The boat finally stopped and the kids got off. It was my turn now! I climbed up the big silver stairs still gripping tightly to my friend's hand! When we reached the top step, we let go of each other and went to find a seat on the boat. We didn't even end up sitting next to each other. I found my own seat and buckled myself in all by myself (to be safe). I was feeling like such a big girl until I looked up and saw my mom shoving people aside to catch a picture of me. She can be so lame sometimes. What's the big deal mom? It's just a pirate ship!

It was almost time for the boat to start so I held on tight to the bar and prepared myself for the ride! I knew there was no turning back now.

Um, did I mention this thing went up way high? It. Was. Awesome. I couldn't believe I had lived two whole years without experiencing the wind in my hair and the view from up high. The boat rocked back and forth and got higher and higher and then finally came to a stop. The ride was over, but the memory will last forever.

I unbuckled myself and climbed out of the boat and made my way back toward the silver stairs. I needed to find my Mommy and Daddy so I could tell them about the boat and the wind and the view and the screams and the parrots. They weren't hard to spot. My daddy was grinning ear to ear and my mommy was still plastered behind her camera snapping pictures in rapid fire. When she stopped long enough to give he a hug, I saw a few tear drops coming down her face.

Sheesh. I hate to see her when I go on my first date next year.