The Willimers in America

Dorney Park

It was the last 'Summer Hours' day at Factiva (the last Friday before Labor Day) and we hadn't had any vacation yet this summer. So this was the last chance to take Thomas to a theme park and let him ride on some roller coasters. Thomas had done his research. Still almost half an inch short of the minimum height for the big rides at Six Flags Great Adventure, we had to choose between Hershey Park and Dorney Park. Hershey Park is much more than rides - it's a cross between Disneyland and Cadbury World - with rides. But with its size and at least a two hour drive, it wasn't hard to choose the drive to Allentown, PA and Dorney Park.

I know it was a weekday, but Dorney Park was really quiet and civilised - the word we used when we visited Legoland California. There were few long lines, lots of rides for younger kids as well as older ones, everything was clean and tidy. All in all, a much more civilised experience than Six Flags. This is how our friend John summed it up - "you get a different clientele at Dorney Park" - certainly a lot fewer woman with tattoos...

Anyway, the best part of the whole day was that thanks to his detailed preparation (adding at least three pairs of socks inside his thickest trainers) Thomas was able to skip through the height restrictions on every ride in park - which meant we were able to ride both Hydra and Talon, as well as Steel Force.

After changing into dry clothes after the log flume, we headed back home via Doylestown, PA, stopping for an excellent Mexican meal to round off the day.

Four years, 4 months and 12 days later...

The date is September 1st 2005, and after leaving the U.K. on April 20th 2001, we've been in the U.S.A. exactly 4 years, 4 months and 12 days - which happens to be how old Thomas was when we left, and meaning that he has now spent more than half his life here in America.

Is this a good thing ? Well, he seems to be thriving at school. The school system here seems to be much better resourced, and we are lucky to live in one of the best school districts in New Jersey. And we know that he would never have got the same help in England as we have received in dealing with his ADHD - you know, doctors who have actually heard about some of these less obvious conditions, and are prepared to discuss and agree on his treatment together.

We did baseball, because - well - you have to. But that petered out because Tom really wasn't getting coached - probably because real American kids either don't need coaching, or more likely there's a natural baseball coach in every family. He wasn't enjoying baseball, so we stopped. However he has taken to soccer in a big way like any normal English kid. He wants the latest, trendiest boots and sits with me to watch Fox Soccer Channel, especially when Spurs are on (we've seen 5 of their 7 games so far this season).

One of the most significant development is his accent. Now, even we have to admit that his voice his changing. Very difficult to explain in a blog, but he calls his friend Robert 'Rah-bert' and talks about the 'baahl' when he plays soccer. We've always been surprised when English friends on the phone tell us how American he sounds, but if we're noticing it now, then it must be true. After all, after 4 years, 4 months and 13 days, he's more American than he is English.