Sunday, August 31, 2008
Wild Adventures
(NOTE - this trip was the first two weeks of August - but I am a slow blogger - so just trying to catch up.)
I had promised Bryce that on the way home, we would stop at Wild Adventures in Valdosta, GA. The eighth graders at his school had gone there on the way home from their 8th grade trip. We had fun - but it wasn't as exciting as we had hoped. (this is about 1/3 of the park - it was pretty big) We loved the water park - but many of the rides were a lot rougher than we are used to (at 
Busch Gardens) and actually hurt. There needs to be more theming and music and less concrete. But it was a nice day. 
I went down these tall slides - once. Can you say "Wedgie!"
I had promised Bryce that on the way home, we would stop at Wild Adventures in Valdosta, GA. The eighth graders at his school had gone there on the way home from their 8th grade trip. We had fun - but it wasn't as exciting as we had hoped. (this is about 1/3 of the park - it was pretty big) We loved the water park - but many of the rides were a lot rougher than we are used to (at 
Busch Gardens) and actually hurt. There needs to be more theming and music and less concrete. But it was a nice day. 
I went down these tall slides - once. Can you say "Wedgie!"Bryce wend down every slide - many times. He met a boy and they ran around for a couple of hours. Gave me a chance to get pictures - then chill in a chair and read!
Heading back to Georgia
We left Huntsville, Alabama - heading for Valdosta, Georgia. It was a long drive - through lots of small towns. Before we left - Bryce ate his first Krystal burgers. When we got into Georgia there was a fun country store where we bought some little pies and other snacks - and got gas. We finally made it to our hotel where we snuggled into our comfy bed and slept. I was exhausted from graduation and driving - it was a long day.
Graduation Day
Our last day of Space camp - I was up early and got a picture of the 
Habitat before it was full of people. We stayed on the top floor. After breakfast - we had a few last activities with our group before heading over for graduation.
Bryce and Hannah waiting for graduation.
Finally it was time for our team - team Apollo - to go up on stage and graduate. We each got a team photo and a certificate - and our wings. Later we got called back up to get a Shuttle pin since we had won the mission challenges.
At the end of graduation they called up a boy to give him a special award. He was Jim Lovell's grandson. Jim Lovell was the commander of Apollo 13 - the person that Tom Hanks played in the movie. His son was also there - the man in the Apollo 13 hat.
Habitat before it was full of people. We stayed on the top floor. After breakfast - we had a few last activities with our group before heading over for graduation.
Bryce and Hannah waiting for graduation.
Finally it was time for our team - team Apollo - to go up on stage and graduate. We each got a team photo and a certificate - and our wings. Later we got called back up to get a Shuttle pin since we had won the mission challenges.
At the end of graduation they called up a boy to give him a special award. He was Jim Lovell's grandson. Jim Lovell was the commander of Apollo 13 - the person that Tom Hanks played in the movie. His son was also there - the man in the Apollo 13 hat.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Mission training
Our days were busy preparing for our missions. 
Practicing on the simulators, learning about the history of Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions, performing dry runs of our missions and working on team building.
In addition to all the "work" we got to explore the museum, go to a 3D movie and an IMAX movie, ride the space shot and G-Force rides, climb the rock wall and have fun with the group.
During our actual missions we got to wear fashionable jumpsuits - that without the patches - makes us look a bit like prisoners. For our second mission we were in Mission Control. We had more to do and had to keep up with the mission. It was fun - and we did great!
Commander Bryce and Pilot Hannah in the Shuttle. Isn't Hannah cute? ....nuf said
Practicing on the simulators, learning about the history of Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions, performing dry runs of our missions and working on team building.In addition to all the "work" we got to explore the museum, go to a 3D movie and an IMAX movie, ride the space shot and G-Force rides, climb the rock wall and have fun with the group.
During our actual missions we got to wear fashionable jumpsuits - that without the patches - makes us look a bit like prisoners. For our second mission we were in Mission Control. We had more to do and had to keep up with the mission. It was fun - and we did great!
Commander Bryce and Pilot Hannah in the Shuttle. Isn't Hannah cute? ....nuf said
Team Apollo
We got to meet our team - learn all about Space camp and get our first history lesson - about the Mercury Missions. 
We also made Rockets - that we get to shoot off another day. The kids all got along great - we had 5 boys and 3 girls - and 1 grandpa, 3 dads and 3 moms - one mom was with twin boys so only 7 parents. Bryce quickly made friends and really enjoyed the other kids in the group.
One of the favorite activities for the kids are the simulators. Our first was the 1/6 simulator. It makes you feel like you are walking in space so that you can practice your space walks - we learned three: the bunny hop, the side to side, and the slow motion jog. I liked the side to side best - Bryce, well.... maybe he is just too light! He was all over the place.
Another favorite activity - meals! It was buffet style - which Bryce liked. Especially the night they had Fettucini Alfredo.
The adults went off to make a mission patch - while the kids made a Space Station with Legos and Knex. These would later be judged against the other 6 teams for graduation. The missions are also being times/monitored - and one team will win even though each team does their missions on their own.
Our first mission - Atlantis - We were assigned Space Station Commander for Bryce and Space Station Scientist for me. I had to perform multiple experiments during the mission - which was fun and low pressure. Bryce had to monitor the mission to make sure it was on track - but during his slow periods he would help me with my experiments.
We also made Rockets - that we get to shoot off another day. The kids all got along great - we had 5 boys and 3 girls - and 1 grandpa, 3 dads and 3 moms - one mom was with twin boys so only 7 parents. Bryce quickly made friends and really enjoyed the other kids in the group.
One of the favorite activities for the kids are the simulators. Our first was the 1/6 simulator. It makes you feel like you are walking in space so that you can practice your space walks - we learned three: the bunny hop, the side to side, and the slow motion jog. I liked the side to side best - Bryce, well.... maybe he is just too light! He was all over the place.
The adults went off to make a mission patch - while the kids made a Space Station with Legos and Knex. These would later be judged against the other 6 teams for graduation. The missions are also being times/monitored - and one team will win even though each team does their missions on their own.
Our first mission - Atlantis - We were assigned Space Station Commander for Bryce and Space Station Scientist for me. I had to perform multiple experiments during the mission - which was fun and low pressure. Bryce had to monitor the mission to make sure it was on track - but during his slow periods he would help me with my experiments.
Space Camp - Huntsville, Alabama
We got registered and assigned our dorm - and we had it all to ourselves - 8 bunks and 2 desks!
We took two top bunks and then Bryce reviewed his Camp Book. Then we headed out to explore before we met up with our group. 
There was an artist painting space scenes - all with spray paint. He was very fun to watch - this is the one he made for Bryce.
We discovered that they had rides! Well, two of them. The Space Shot - which shoots you up in the air. Bryce rode this 15 times while we were at Space Camp. I rode it once to say I did it.The other ride was a spinning gravity ride called the G Force Accelerator. You get strapped to the wall and then spin - lifting you up off the ground. I rode that once - go mom! - Bryce rode it about 6 times.
After our fun time exploring the Space Center - we were off to meet our team.
To the moon... and beyond!
Today was a traveling day. We made a few stops - a Scrapbook Outlet (not so great) and the Unclaimed Baggage Center - not worth the stop. But the drive was pretty and we were happy to arrive in time to go explore the U.S. Space and Rocket Center 
- well... from the parking lot. 
They had just closed. But the IMAX was open and after getting pictures we went to see "The Dark Knight" on IMAX - pretty cool. Then back to the hotel - to swim of course - and play with our Oribitor models. We loved our view form our window - we looked right out at the Rocket Center where we would be starting Space Camp in the morning.
Bryce outside the entrance to Space camp - and here - looking at the Rocket Center from our hotel. The building with the six round tubes will be our dorm for the next few days - we stayed in the top one on the right. It is called "Habitat 1" - cool! Finally - time to play at the hotel!
- well... from the parking lot. 
They had just closed. But the IMAX was open and after getting pictures we went to see "The Dark Knight" on IMAX - pretty cool. Then back to the hotel - to swim of course - and play with our Oribitor models. We loved our view form our window - we looked right out at the Rocket Center where we would be starting Space Camp in the morning.Bryce outside the entrance to Space camp - and here - looking at the Rocket Center from our hotel. The building with the six round tubes will be our dorm for the next few days - we stayed in the top one on the right. It is called "Habitat 1" - cool! Finally - time to play at the hotel!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Magic Beyond Belief
The Smokey Mountain area has a lot of shows to keep the crowds entertained. We decided to go see Magic Beyond Belief starring Terry Evanswood. 
Bryce loves magic and really enjoyed it. I am always amazed at shows like this. Bryce also enjoyed the magic shop in the lobby - the guy who worked there was great with the kids. They had him do almost every trick they sold - and when they bought one - he would teach it to them. Bryce bought a trick rope that he just loves - and another trick - that changes colors.... 
Always the 
clown!
clown! Dollywood
We LOVED Dollywood. There was a lot to do - and the rides were all so unique. 
The park was fun to see and the restaurants were good. 
We went one day from 3-7PM and got to return the second day for free. We got there at opening the next day and stayed until 6PM - because we had to get back to the hotel and get ready for a magic show we were going to that night. But we got to ride everything we wanted to - and saw some
really cute shows.
The park was fun to see and the restaurants were good. 
We went one day from 3-7PM and got to return the second day for free. We got there at opening the next day and stayed until 6PM - because we had to get back to the hotel and get ready for a magic show we were going to that night. But we got to ride everything we wanted to - and saw somereally cute shows.
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