#95 Badass Wacky Golf, 5-Min Taco Bell, and Roller Coaster Achievements

I found the trick to mastering roller coasters in my old age.

Mic drop.

But before we get to that, let's catch you up on the FIRST ANNUAL BADASS CHALLENGE.

WACKY GOLF GAME

Emily, Oliver and I met Mom and Dad at PopStroke, Tiger Woods' new minigolf extravaganza.

• Need an ice cold towel while you are playing? They got you covered.

• Icy cold beverages delivered to you along the course? Check!

• Pristinely, formal, perfectly manicured greens? But of course?

Seems like the perfect place to play Wacky golf.

Here were the rules:

• Group divided up into two teams by drawing a card. Mom matched with Emily. Oliver matched with Dad.

• The winning team of each hole got one point.

• Each team was given a "Judge's Favor" card that could be used at any time to help the judge (aka ME) give them an unfair advantage.

• Be sure that the grandparents don't fall over and break a hip.

Other than that, there were no rules.

On each hole, the teams picked a card which outlined the challenge. Sometimes one person from the team played. Other times both did.

Here were the wacky challenges:

One teammate had to putt while wrapping their arms around the other teammate.

One teammate was the putter while the other became an obstacle for the other team. That person placed themselves in a position on the course that would prevent the other putter from being able to get the ball in the hole. Oliver's strategy was good, but let's say that Mom sealed the deal when she literally covered the hole with her feet. That gal's got a smart noodle!

Everybody plays at once. First into the hole wins.

Stand on one leg like a flamingo.

Putt between your legs facing backwards.

Other challenges included:

• Bet how many total points the other team will have -- Price is Right rules.

• Hit with the narrow side of the club.

• Kick the ball soccer style.

• Use only your hands.

• One teammate became part of the course and placed their body in a position that would help their team putter get the ball in the hole more easily.

• The losing team has to sing the "Grigg Family Anthem" -- Challenge sponsored by Traci. Girls lost so Emily had to sing the song "I want to be a banana when I grow up". Not familiar? Of course not. We made it up years ago. Here's how it goes: "I want to be a bananana when I grow up Tra La. I want to be a banana when i grow up Tra La. If I work really hard and study really had I just might be a banana when i group up. Tra La. Tra La. Tra La."

First hole in one:

At the end of the challenge, the boys were up by a few points. But along the way, we had a few ties so we got into tie breakers at the lunch table. Many tie breakers were sponsored by our judges:

Sponsored by Steve: What rock band did he do tech support for when he was in college? Answer: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Winner -- the Boys

Sponsored by Sophie: What did she make 100 of in one week?

Answer: Paper Cranes. Winner -- the Girls

Sponsored by Pam: What was the best piece of advice your mama has given you?

Answers: Oliver -- "Never ever ever forget how awesome you are". Dad -- "Keep your fingernails clean". Mom - "There is nothing you can get into that you cannot get out of". Emily -- "Even if you go to [insert bum-f*ck school nearby, you still have to stay in the dorms" -- whcih was a genius answer because that's the advice that mom gave ME back in the day. Winner: Oliver.

Sponsored by Kristin, Kendall, and Kirsten: Each team could choose a "Would you Rather -- Sing a Christmas Carol all the way through or Tell the team a secret about yourself that you are glad nobody else knows. The boys told a secret -- Oliver forgot to put on deodorant today. The girls sang a two-part harmony rendition of The Carol of the Bells. The girls won.

Trivia about the players:

What item did Emily recently put in her belly button, forgot about and fell asleep with it in? Answer: Peanut M&M. Winner: Mom

What item was placed inside the hockey stick I bought for him without him knowing it? Answer: the shopkeeper's spit -- ewwww. WInner: Mom

In what way did Mom almost stupidly die?

Answer: by falling off a waterfall. Winner: Emily

How did Dad save someone's life?

Answer: By rescuing them while they were drowning. Winner: Oliver

When all was said and done, we ended up with a tie so it went into Sudden Death Fusball.

Welp, that game lasted a good five seconds.

Ultimate winners were THE BOYS!!

Then, Emily, Oliver and Dad went out and played the course for real while Mom and I chilled in the airconditioned lobby.

Oliver earned a point for the badass challenge for the golf game, but I think we an all agree that everyone was a winner. (Did I sound like a cheesy sports-related movie from the 80s by saying that?).

Taco Bell Challenge

This challenge wa sponsored by Eliott who encouraged a contest to see which kid could eat the most tacos in a specific period of time.

Both kids were fierely up for this challenge, so game on.

Rules:

• Five minutes were on the clock.

• The entire taco had to be eaten.

• Consistency of taco selection had to be mutually agreed upon (ie: soft tacos, non-supreme, beef for Oliver and black beans for Emily".

• They each had to secretly decide and tell me how many tacos they planned to eat.

• They could call a friend for advice.

• If both players finished their number of tacos, the person who had the higher number wins.

• If one person finished their tacos and the other didn't, the finisher wins.

• If neither finishes their tacos, the person who ate the most wins.

Oliver asked his buddies and settled on "9".

Emily consulted with Wiki and settled on "7".

The clock started. Both fought through the beginning, easily tucking back the tacos.

Taco 1:

Taco 2;

Taco 3, 4, and 5:

But after the 5th, Oliver slowed down while Emily kept methodically pushing through.

Final winner -- Emily!

One point for Emily in the Badass Challenge.

MARIOKART MINI-CHALLENGE

Mario-Kart is our jam.

We did all 16 rounds.

Oliver crushed it.

One pont for Oliver for the Badass Challenge.

So the updated score for the BADASS CHALLENGE is:

Me: one point

Oliver: 7 points

Emily: 5 points

Busch Gardens

Emily, Oliver and I took a break from the challenges and went to Busch Gardens.

How stupid does this sound...I didn't even let myself think about the fact that as I have gotten older, I have developed a fear of heights (see Ropes Course) and terrible vertigo. The kids were up for hitting the roller coasters, so I was up for hitting the roller coasters.

I got us the Fast Pass, knowing that I would get super cranky if I had to wait in long lines surrounded by sweaty people who were not related to me.

Turns out, that was the biggest laugh of the day because there were NO lines for most rides and we could just walk right up.

So by the time we walked through the main gate of the park, within 5 minutes, we were ready to board the newest ride, The Iron Gawnza.

I didn't think too hard about what I was getting ready to experience. I was more concerned about getting my glasses tucked into my new LCS fanny pack (thanks LCS Summit Planning Committee) and getting my seatbelt fastened.

When suddenly, I reached the point of no return. I was on the ride and heading up the super big hill.

Usually, this is where my fear sets in when I see how high we go, and my heart races so fast I can feel it in my ears. Usually this is where I start gulping like crazy and visions of all the ways I can die start to flood my brain.

But here's the crazy thing.

In the past, I always wore contacts and that made it so I could see everything in hyper-detail. I could see how high up I was. I could see how far below the ground was. And I could see the tracks to come.

I'm old now. My contacts won't work anymore.

I have to wear glasses.

But I can't wear glasses on roller coasters because they will go flying off my head (as Ang knows).

So I went onto the roller coaster blind. Which turns out to be the best way to ride one!

No fear of heights! I couldn't see the ground.

No fear of what's to come! My imagination did not run away.

So we rode this beast. And it was a great roller coaster. So glad I went on it.

We followed it up with Shakira and some other ones, but nothing beat The Iron Gawnza.

Such a fun day with these two. Love them dearly and having so much fun spending time together.

One last day of the Badass Challenge -- as per sponsorship by no less than five of our judges, Emily and Oliver will be entering into a Food Network Challenge.

Stay tuned. You won't want to miss this one!