Paper Airplanes

Last week we attended a paper airplane contest held at the Pima Air and Space Museum.  It was the coolest event.  Held in one of their huge plan hangers, there was lunch, tons of candy (the event was sponsored by Mars), photo booths, exhibits, amazing raffle prizes, jumping castles, free t-shirts etc. 

Taylor and Aiden driving a simulated race car

Sydney getting jiggy with some of her friends.

But, here's the best part......Aiden won 1st place in his age group!

Each kid folded a paper airplane by themselves and threw it. Our kids had brought their own that they'd tried out with dad the day before. During four rounds, each airplane was measured by a judge and the top distances advanced.  We had no expectations, so each time Aiden advanced, we were amazed and thrilled.  Here is a sample of what he looked like all afternoon.

Each time you advance, you get a prize.  This was him after the third round.  The airplane is a large M&M dispenser.

Finally, the last round came.  The six boys left (out of several hundred) threw their planes individually.  I think his winnings can be credited to luck and his consistent throwing.  One bad throw and you get eliminated.  I think Aiden's distances grew with each throw.


We were told that each winner would win a one hour flight over Tucson (pretty cool).  But, before they announced the winners, they read off the prize package.  Yes, the free flight was included.  But, so was a brand new mini ipad!  Plus, annual memberships to museums, signed paper airplane books, a bomber jacket, plus more. 

I wish I would've taken a video of Aiden when they announced him as the winner.  He was jumping up and down and yelling like crazy.  I finally had to go tell him to stop and get on stage.  Here he is accepting his prizes and posing with the winners from the other age groups.

It was really the coolest thing ever!  The only downside was that Brent was referring a tournament and didn't get to come and Emma was on a temple trip.  Who knew it was going to be so memorable?  This kid has not stopped telling everyone about it (especially his own brand new iPad which is better than mom or dad's).  Here he is will all his loot and his winning airplane (really it wasn't anything special).