Operation: Space Exploration

Andrews "rocket" and "spaceship" he made 

My little Astronaut 

So tonight we went to Thanksgiving Point for Operation: Space Exploration. Andrew first got to build a "rocket" which i actually did, because it was cutting and taping around a tube, it just seemed a little complicated for him. he was happy either way- it had HIS name on it and he got to go put it on the rocket shooter, watch it fly and then go find it. that was his favorite part, he shot it off twice- once right after we made it and once on our way out. we would have done it more had there not been a lot of other kids waiting... then we went to "can you dodge an asteroid?" which had a pretty sad ending. it was a dodgeball game. i thought he might like it, so i tried to explain to him how to play, but they started before i really got much out, and so i tried coaching him as they went  like "stay on your side!" and "throw the ball at the other side" but he ended up walking out on the game with is head down and nearly in tears. he was so sad he didnt understand this ball game, i dont think he has ever experienced that with sports come to think of it...he has always been familiar with games we've played with him. i felt so sad for him, he had the saddest face and was just so sad. i think a little embarrassed too. anyways, i assured him we would teach him how to play at home. then we moved quickly on to "can you find a moon rock?" where they had two kiddie pools. one was filled with rocks and "moon rocks" that were rough and dark, and so andrew got to look for the ones like "moon rocks", he liked that. then they had a pool with nuts and bolts and were told to put (Adult size) gloves on and put the nut and bolt together. i saw that one unraveling so we didnt spent more than like a minute before i said "lets go!", and he didnt argue. because honestly, i dont know if he could do it very easily underwater WITHOUT the gloves... anyways, the next station was " build a spaceship" where they took two paper places and stapled them together with a few little stringy things and colored them as spaceships that could "fly". andrew and abby both did one of those, and seemed to enjoy that. Next was "get your picture with an astronaut" which should have been more accurately named "get your picture AS an astronaut". i had to grab somebody to hold up andrew because he was too short to reach the head, but he thought it was cool. then we headed home. i almost went in without the stroller. what was i thinking? i was thinking, there are only 3 of us, and we should be ok. but no. no we would not have been ok. luckily at the first station right outside the entrance abigail made it clear she would not stay by us...so we were able to just run out side and grab it. she remained in there most of the time... she is too much of a runner to be let out in wide open spaces! she pretty much needs a fence at all times. and it better be tall because she is also a great climber. anyways, we had a good time. earlier today andrew had his swimming lesson, he loves those so much. then we got some groceries and ended running into a friend of his from preschool, so we went to draper park with them afterwards. and then came home and tonight went to the space activity. anyways, goodnight!