Flat Stanley and the Museum of Flight

Our sweet cousin Lily sent us Flat Stanley in the mail.  We had to show Flat Stanley around the area we live and take him fun places.  He just happened to show up when we had a field trip, gymnastics and volunteer time at the school.  So we took him with us.  I think he had a lot of fun and I know the kiddos had a blast with him.  There were lots of other things he did with us too because he hitched a ride in the pocket of my purse.  Of course we didn't get pictures everywhere, but here are a few we did get.  

Here is Sydney in her Kindergarten class.  Flat Stanley and I helped out at their centers.  This one they were stamping parts of words with pictures and filling in the blanks.  

After our visit to the museum Abby and I stopped by Dave's office and had a picture with the giant AFLAC duck.  Flat Stanley also got to sit in Dave's chair behind the big desk.  

Here is Jacob and Sydney at the start of gymnastics.  They both take and so does Abby on a different day.  Flat Stanley had great balance when he was laying down.

At the beginning of the museum.  It looks promising.  

A little blurry.  This is Abby in front of a giant parachute.  I really liked how bright it is.  My guess is so you could see it.  But it's just a guess.

In the cockpit of a blackbird.  I think that's what it was called.  Anyway a little too cozy for my comfort.  

Abby even went into space.  Just for a short while.   

In front of a space capsule.  Way to tiny for floating around outer space.  I would definitely need more room to float around.  Who am I kidding?  I can't even fly on airplanes with out stressing out.  

Moon buggy or rover or car.  Whatever it's called.  It was pretty cool.

This is an old Air Force One.  I think it was from the '70's or early '80's.  It was cool to go in and see.  They had tables and chairs, TV's, bunks that folded down.  Kitchen areas.  There was a bathroom complete with shower.  Oddly though the area with the toilets, still really small.  I guess you really don't need too much leg room but still.  You can't fit too many people on it but it would be a more relaxing way to fly.  

Here is Abby and her friend Megan (also Flat Stanley) about to board the Concorde.  I was really surprised at how skinny it was inside.  Really long.  Seats were 2 and 2.  I'm guessing the whole plane was pretty much 1st class since tickets cost $6000 - $12,000 one way.  I think the seats at the back of the plane were the cheap ones even though they all looked the same.  There were some plaques in there that also said the plane flew so fast that it actually stretched in the air.  Crazy. Sounds like my kind of flight.  Instead of 6 hours to England it was 3.  They also were only allowed to fly over seas because they caused the sonic bomb.  Or breaking the sound barrier.  I'm never sure if I use the right words.  I'm sort of the goonies mom. (you know what I mean if you've seen the movie.  If not...I recommend seeing it.)

One of the Blue Angels planes.  There were all sorts of other kinds of planes, helicopters,  jets, biplanes, gliders, you name it.  If you are ever up in Seattle I'd suggest going and taking a peek.  It was pretty cool.
I thought a lot about my Grandpa Rich while I was at the museum and how much he would have loved to be there.  He loves planes and everything flying.  I wish my kids could have known him.  Jacob is writing a report on Orville Wright, and I bet my grandpa would have had fun talking to Jacob about the planes.  

We had a fabulous time hanging with our friends and Flat Stanley.  I can't wait to take the rest of my kids to the museum.  I also hope Lily and her class enjoy our adventures.