Rocket Balloon

Rocket Balloons became the main Christmas activity for us. My sister's ward had their Christmas party while Erin and I were still the only ones there. Each kid, including Adona got a little present from the bishopric. In it was squirt guns, candy, and rocket balloons. The kids of course loved everything. However there was a wonderful Christmas story behind the rocket balloons. Semisi, my sister's husband is the bishop of his ward and he and his clerk were the ones that bought the things for the kid's gifts. On Sunday after the party Semisi told a very wonderful story about how he saw the rocket balloons and why he wanted rocket balloons in the gift.
Growing up Semisi said Christmas never treated him well. They were very poor, so while other kids got squirt guns for Christmas, he did not. (Most of the country is poor, so that is pretty much the big gift there.) Semisi being like other kids looked and felt sad that he never got those things for Christmas, however what they did get were rocket balloons. He would look forward to Christmas morning and getting his rocket balloon, he really wanted them. When he saw them at the store he wanted to get them, so that he could share something he enjoyed as a child with his children.

This story reminds me that we do not need the biggest gifts at Christmas to make Christmas memorable. I hope that I can teach my children that the real important part of Christmas is Christ and his gifts to us, not the gifts that they get. The simple gift Semisi was given for all his Christmases growing up was enough and holds a special memory in him. It was wonderful to be able to hear this story and to participate in the fun of the Rocket Balloons.

Hika releasing the balloon.
How to play with rocket balloons:
1. Blow up balloon, until it is full.
2. Hold at the open end of the balloon with the close end facing upward.
3. Release balloon and enjoy.
(The balloon will make a noise and spin around in the sky. Very fun!)