SeaWorld and Booster Rockets

So, I saw the launch on Wednesday as mentioned in the previous post. Friday, we spent the day at SeaWorld. My nephew, Kaleb, thinks Shamu is the coolest thing, and I have to agree with him! Check it out:

Then yesterday morning, my brother and I went out to see the booster rockets as they were brought back in from the ocean. When the shuttle goes up, the two white booster rockets fall back and get reused. The people who work for NASA and the shuttle program go out to the ocean and haul them back in. Can you see how huge they are? A man could easily stand up inside one of them!

I will be heading home later this week, but I have enjoyed my time down here in Florida. I sure do wish they lived closer, but Cocoa Beach, Florida is a nice place to visit family!

3...2...1...Liftoff!

I don't know what the status of the blog will be with everything changing. I guess that will be up to you. But until that is decided, I wanted to share with you something really exciting that I got to do today. For the third time this week, I went out to watch the space shuttle attempt to launch. The first two times I went, the launch was cancelled due to bad weather, but today it was all systems go! Here is a video of it!

Here is a picture of the smoke trail it left as it flew into space!
And here is a picture of who I was with while watching the launch!
It was pretty exciting to be there and see the launch. The shuttle was already up into the clouds before the loud roar of the engines made it to where I was watching. Very cool!

Anyhow, I hope everyone continues to have a good summer. I know not everyone can be in Florida with the cutest nephew in the world, but do your best to have a good time wherever you may be! Be good to each other, and I hope to see you for the "Bring Your Own Picnic" get-together on the 26th.

Now You Know

So, if you have checked your e-mail, you know the big news. I have been through all of the emotions you can imagine, so I won't begrudge anyone what they are feeling. Please know that you will all always have a very special place in my heart, and my poster will be the first thing anyone sees when they walk into my office!

As I was telling someone today: No one is irreplaceable. Once the shock wears off, life (and school) will go on as usual. I can only hope that you all will remember last year with as much joy and laughter as I will.

I hope to see everyone July 26. (I have some things to return/give to you!)

And the good news. . .you do not have to complete the book report for Ralph S. Mouse, and there will probably not be a timed multiplication test on the first day of school!

Enjoy the rest of your summer!