rocketsOne of the many Christmas presents that the kids got from Santa was a model rocket. Each kid got one, plus there was also a launch pad included. The launch pad was an upgrade from when I used to launch model rockets straight off the ground (with no guide rod) by holding a sparkler under the engine until a spark flew up and ignited the propellant. (I finally began using a welding rod to guide the rocket.)

Anyway, the kids helped put together their rockets and we went over to a park and set them off. They went really high, and, as someone not accustomed to the high-tech launch pad, I was surprised at how straight up the went and how much better it is to launch them from 15 feet away rather than 15 inches.

The parachutes even worked reasonably well, so both rockets survived to be launched another day.