Launching the New Year

     After the paper and presents have been put away for another year and the ball has dropped while we all looked on in disbelief at the plastic face of Dick Clark, it seems that all the fun has come and gone and another holiday season is at an end. . . But wait!. . .it’s New Year’s Day. . .we stumble out of bed, stuff something in our pie-holes, grab coffee, and head out to a local school soccer field where our friends are already setting up the launch pads.  Our friends, the Walsh family, began a New Year’s Day tradition in 2003 that has quickly becoming one of our favorite annual events.  

     The New Year’s Day Rocket Launch is quite a blast (pun intended). Many of our homeschool friends and other Walsh family friends turn up with rockets in hand.  The dads are at the ready with the kids nearby and the countdowns begin. 10, 9, 8. . . Blastoff! The rockets shoot skyward and the children take off, eyes focused on the moving target, as they race across the field to catch the falling remains (some of which are never found –like ours).

 

Dan Walsh getting ready to launch the newest family- created rocket

 

Success!

    After a few hours of launching and running, launching and running, launching and . . . . we all head over to the Walsh home to refuel with Pizza, soups, desserts and friendly conversation . We've been launched into 2011.