Space Center

 14 teenagers are a lot of loudness and craziness.  I am so glad we decided to go somewhere this year.  I don't think we could have picked a better place.  The Christa McCauliffe Space Center was an amazing experience for them all.  First we did the traditional opening of presents and eating cake.  My boys were nice enough to be okay with my wanting to make the cake a little more than plain cupcakes.  Just a simple moon and rocket, nothing too cheesy. Nathan is totally okay with the fact that this is his last birthday party.  In the future I told him we can do late nights and pizza, but no friend gifts or expensive parties.  Thirteen seems like a good age to end all of that.

 We got there a bit early since you never know with traffic and so the boys had a hard time waiting.  They were all so excited.  The older boys had been there before but only Ryan had of the younger set and while some of them had older siblings who had gone, they really didn't know what to expect.

 

 Greg and I stayed with the boys until their flight commanders took them back and then we headed home.  We came back 20 minutes before their mission was completed so we could watch from behind the scenes.  It was so fun to watch these teenagers and young adults working there--what a fun job!  Both groups were near the end so lots of problems were coming up that needed to be solved.  The teams were working together and running around a little crazy trying to shoot down other ships and get zombie brains or get the right code to stop the bomb from exploding.  It was SO fun to watch, I wonder how I would have enjoyed something like this as a child.

 Team Odyssey

 Team Galileo

 It was really fun to listen to the boys talk about their missions afterwards.  Ryan's group's mission was a lot more intense and scary-it affected one of the boys a little too much.  Both groups animatedly talked about how awesome and cool and stressful their missions were and all can't wait to come again.  The boys piano teacher told me that when she asked about the party they couldn't contain their excitement and enthusiasm.  While it was pricey for a party, it was totally worth it and we will definitely send the boys back there on their own again.