There Is No Air In Space

D is continually engaged, creatively integrating his imagination with observation. His keen awareness operates on many levels simultaneously, poised to observe the ant making its way across the floor while he perceives a slight shift in you breathing and asks you why you are upset. I doubt his intellectual mind ever rests. I often feel like I can't keep up with his probing inquisitions and ravenous appetite for learning. It is as if his mind is set to "Yes!" and "More!"; relentlessly wondering and seeking connection.

We were reading a story about Buzz Lightyear preparing for space flight. The story talked about how he was standing in front of the air conditioner because he knew how cold the air would be in space. D was playing around with his Buzz Light year doll. I was wondering if he was actually paying attention to the story I was reading. My doubt was promptly put to rest.

D, without even glancing up from his play, said, "There is no air in space. "
I stopped reading, looked up at him and smiled. "You are absolutely right, there is no air in space."
D added, "How can it be cold if there is no air?" Good question!
"We will have to look that one up." I replied.

The question had never occurred to me.

The theme of the last two days has been science. Yesterday we went to the "Budding Scientist" program at the EcoTarium and stayed for a planetarium show, "The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket." Then today we spent the afternoon setting up D's Toy Story 3 bedtent, reading some Toy Story books, and then thanks to Netflix Wii streaming, watched 2 episodes of The Universe, per D's request. We watched Season 1, episodes 1 and 2  - the Sun and Mars. He sat attentive for nearly two hours, asking some really great questions and we spent time discussing solar flares, robotics, and why Mars lacks an atmosphere but Earth has one. (Hint: It has something to do with planetary magnetic fields.)