Turns out Alaska has a few benefits, us being so high up and all. On June 5, Venus passed between the sun and earth. It was the last time for another 105 years. Alaska and Hawaii were the only two places on earth that were able to view the entire transition, because they were the only two with sunlight when it happened!
The main library in town held a big shin-dig to celebrate, as well as play host to several NASA teams and scientists that came up. I thought Amelia would get a kick out of seeing it. While it was pretty neat, it was also rather anti-climatic for the little pixie. She had no interest in the little moving freckle. It was also cloudy for a good portion of the day, so the whole telescope thing was lost on her.
The library, being the smarty pants that they were, had several activities for kids. As you know by now, Amelia is always up for an activity. Therefore, the day began with assembling a parachute.
I don't think that the idea was to launch it in front of the fan, but it worked out really well!
We then headed outside. There was an assembly line manufacturing rockets. Mila was able to observe, then choose the color of her fins.
Then, being Amelia, she decorated.
The final masterpiece. It did not look like this at the end of the day. Lemme show you why.
The idea was to stick it on this PVC contraption, close the valve, and pump it up to achieve maximum distance. Amelia is quite a pro at using a bicycle pump, as she's had an obsession with her Dad's for quite some time. Her rocket obtained some serious milage. The nose got rather squashed, as well.
Her favorite, though, was this similar contraption. One filled up this bottle with water (which may be why it was the favorite), pumped, then pulled the string. 'Dem little rockets achieved some serious heights! Then all the kids raced to retrieve it, and start again. Mila was getting quite nimble with all the practice.
Then she was off to make her own little button.
Finally, the clouds thinned a wee bit. So, all the telescopes finally came out. She viewed, and then went back to her water rockets.
I kind of don't blame her, as it is hard to explain the excitement over the little moving dot.
But, here it is. Won't be around again for a while, so enjoy!
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