Space Camp Graduation

Friday, June 7, 2024

The week went by way too fast for Emily.  She was definitely sad that the week had come to an end already, but graduation is also an exciting time and she had plans to have lunch with her favorite teammate, Om, after camp so it wasn't all sad.  Her team really thought they had a chance at winning Commander's Cup this year because their missions all went so well.  So now we had to wait to see. First up, though, were the individual diplomas.

   

Then we were on to awards and what do you know?  They DID win Commander's Cup!  They had the highest scores on the missions for the week!  Emily was extra proud since she had been the flight director in the extended duration mission (EDM).

   

They were very excited about their win!

Sadly, this also meant the week was over and it was time to say goodbye.  We had a little time before our flight home so we went to Cheesecake Factory with Om and his mom.  This was a nice way to cap off the week, but watching Emily say goodbye to her friend was sad.  They're hoping to stay in touch over the course of the year and maybe reunited again next year for Elite Academy.  Until then, it was time to head home and into our next summer adventure!

Space Camp 2024

Sunday, June 2, 2024

Emily has been waiting for this day for 365 days - Space Camp!  She loved her team so much last year and 3 of her teammates from last year were coming back this year.  They all requested to be on the same team again this year and from the moment they were all reunited you could see just how much fun they were going to have together this week.

   

Emily was back in habitat 3 (with Aviation Challenge) again this year, but she wasn't as bummed about it this time around.  Apparently the bathrooms are better than in hab 2.  Before we even got her checked in, she found some of her teammates and joy ensued.

    

I can't tell you too much about the week of course since I was not there, but I can tell some of the goings on from the pictures we were lucky enough to get from Bunk1.  Starting immediately on Sunday night they began training for missions.  They also participated in some team building activities and classroom sessions along with some time in the multi access trainer.

   

   

   

Mid-week they had a chance to do the scuba diving again (Emily liked it way better this year) and also a rocket launch.  I understand their rocket had some issues, but they definitely had fun.

   

   

They had a chance to try out the 1/6th gravity chair again this year too.  Another favorite activity for the week.

   

But of course the things that always brings Emily back, year after year, are the missions.  She loves them...especially when she gets a role in Mission Control - which she did this year (two of the three missions).  She worked on an Extra Vehicular Activity on one mission - hanging from a harness to assemble some things with teammates for their ship (no pictures unfortunately).  Then the other two missions she was in mission control - and the best part was that for the extended mission she was the flight director - a very exciting and coveted role.  Seen below, on one mission, some of her teammates ended up unconscious and they had to go on without them!

   

   

  

They definitely had quite a full week!  Next year she is eligible for Elite Space Academy, but getting a seat will be a challenge so here's to hoping!

Annual Kings Island Trip

Saturday, May 25, 2024

   

This year we did our annual Kings Island trip family style - Daniel, Emily, Grandma and I all hit the park for a day of family fun!  It had been quite a few years since Daniel came with us and I think he was really excited to go.  The weather was gorgeous and it wasn't super crowded...but having the Fast Lane was still the way to go.  We started the morning in Action Zone.  Daniel and I took turns riding coasters with Emily and we even rode a few together.

After Action Zone, we headed into Coney Mall.  No games this year.  Just rides.  We did an all-play at the bumper cars.  That was fun!

   

We also took a ride on the swings before Daniel and Emily hit up Orion - the biggest coaster in the park!  Then, while Daniel and Emily rode Wind Seeker, Grandma and I took a spin on the antique autos!

   

We had lunch at the Kings Island brew house...which used to be Cincinnati Red's themed.  Potato barrels and sandwiches for everyone!  We also had an order of onion rings that was really good.  Then it was back to rides.  Daniel and Emily headed off to Mystic Timbers and Diamondback.

   

And of course no trip to Kings Island is complete without a trip through Camp Snoopy!  One can't ever be too old for the Peanuts...or Surf Dog.  No log ride this year.  Grandma did not have a Fast Lane pass and the line was pretty long. 

   

While Daniel and Emily hit up a few more of their favorite rides of the day, Grandma and I enjoyed the beauty of the park and took a spin on the carousel.  It was a great day! And we weren't even done with the fun.  Next up was dinner at Marion's Piazza and then Graeter's for dessert!  No pictures from those outings, but I promise they happened!

   

   

CFSC Spring Show 2024

Sunday,  May 19, 2024

Tonight was the CFSC annual spring show.  This year's theme was "A Night at the Grammy's."  Emily skated to a Bruno Mars medley.  It was a different look for her, but it was kinda fun and I liked it.  She skated great which was awesome too!  Heidi's skaters also skated a tribute number to a Kiss medley.  I was NOT excited about that one, but it came out ok and I think the skaters had fun.  Emily's old coach, Amanda came to watch and so did one of the boys she had been seeing a little, Atley.  It was a fun night.