The Obsession

I remember it well-- those days on the playground spent playing four-square for a few weeks, after which time we switched to kickball, and then, after getting tired of kickball, we found great joy in capture the flag.

I remember loving my Cabbage Patch doll for a bit, but moving on to paper dolls for a while, and then spending time recording my voice on a small tape player while Amy Grant sang on my boombox.

Every kid goes through stages.

But this stage of Jonah's has lasted quite a long time. He's obsessed-- really, he's OBSESSED with roller coasters. I think he asks me 4 times every hour, "Mom, what's your favorite roller coaster?" I used to say that I didn't have a favorite. I used to say that they made me dizzy. I used to say that I don't like roller coasters. Now I just pick one, although it's rarely the answer he wants. Let me give you an example:

"Mom, what's your favorite roller coaster?"

"The Millinium Force."

"You can't say that one."

"Well, how about the Wicked Twister?"

"No, that makes you dizzy."

"Hmmm, what about the Top Thrill Dragster?"

"No, that's scary."

"Woodstock Express?"

"That doesn't have a video (he enjoys watching the videos on www.cedarpoint.com)."

"Magnum. I really like the Magnum, Jonah."

"Okay, let's watch it."

So he proceeds to turn on the video of the Magnum while he literally holds my head so I can't look anywhere but the screen.

This conversation takes place a few times every hour. If I state that the Magnum is my favorite coaster next time, then undoubtedly he'll say, "You can't say that one." And the cycle continues :)