After weeks of other things getting in the way, Potato Boy and I finally had the chance to assemble one of the model rockets he got as a Christmas gift. With all of the fields around us bare, now’s a great time to launch a rocket and not have to worry about it drifting into a corn field or knee-high hay field.

Waiting For The Glue To Dry

To his credit, Potato Boy did fairly well with his first rocket considering how much glue was involved. I had him follow the instructions carefully, telling him I didn’t want his rocket to crash and break like one I had when I was his age. (Actually, mine didn’t crash and break. The parachute melted when the larger-than-recommended engine got too hot and it crashed in a fiery heap. I was afraid that sounded a little too exciting to be proper motivation for following the instructions.)

All Clear and Ready For The Count Down

So, we followed the instructions right down to the proper rocket engine size for the first flight. You know, I really need to do a better job of teaching him that instructions really are more like suggestions. The rocket engine listed for the first flight was way too small. Instead of screaming off into the sky, the rocket floated up about 75 feet and flopped back down (luckily) into a snow drift like a shot duck.

The Rocketeer With His Work

Don’t worry, the rocket was undamaged and Potato Boy was still impressed. When the weather cooperates he’s determined to take another go at it – but this time, with a much larger engine.