Dad photographs kid as an ‘astronaut’ going on ordinary, amazing adventures

This dad truly believes we should encourage our kids to reach for the stars!

They say parents should give their kids both roots and wings. But what if our kids have something else in mind?

When photographer Aaron Sheldon’s son expressed his fear about going to the doctor, they came up with a simple idea to make him brave: to become an astronaut.

Playing dress-up to the check-up, they realized they stumbled upon something fun. Soon, dressing up as a tough rocketeer going to ordinary places like the barber shop, and a fast food chain became their thing.

Hinged upon the realization that a kid’s life is a lot like a “mini-mission to Mars”, they began the project which they eventually called “Small Steps Are Giant Leaps”.

A kid’s universe is totally alien, and everything they encounter—even the ordinary— takes on an awe-inspiring quality when experienced through their eyes.

Their travels, documented in Aaron’s striking photography, will continue on; they plan to visit New York, Washington D.C. and Cape Canaveral soon, with the help of donations from Kickstarter, a site which NASA also uses to fund their projects.

Check out their journey (so far) below!

“Even astronauts like sprinkles on their donuts…”

Even astronauts like sprinkles on their donuts…Harrison loves stopping at @honeydipdonuts & Diner on our way to pre-school. Great old school donuts and friendly people. #aroundcolumbus #614forall #614 #smallstepsaregiantleaps #ssagl #ssagl16 #honeydipdonuts
A photo posted by Aaron Sheldon (@eff8nbthere) on Apr 27, 2016 at 6:59am PDT

Sometimes, they need a ride…

We are currently working on a slightly more high-tech way of getting there… #spaceman #614forall #614 #ssagl16 #ssagl #astronaut #floridasspacecoast #roadtrip #igerscbus #cbus #Fujifilmxpro2 #fujixpro2 #fujifilmxf10-24 #kids #childhood #columbuskids #akidslife #jjohio_bnw #nasa #spacex #newcma #aroundcolumbus #asseenincolumbus #columbusmuseumofart #themarsgeneration #getyourasstomars #floridasspacecoast #florida #spacecoast #wearegofl
A photo posted by Aaron Sheldon (@eff8nbthere) on Apr 18, 2016 at 7:01am PDT

More on this tiny rocketeer and his awesome dad on the next page!

When they’re not commandeering space shuttle, astronauts are fueled by coffee and intense research

Researching/rocket fuel…taken at the local @starbucks with the @fujifilmx_us x-pro2 at iso 12,800! #nofilter #fujifilmx_us #xpro2 #aroundcolumbus #614forall #ssagl16 #ssagl #starbucks #astonaut #wearegofl smallstepsaregiantleaps
A photo posted by Aaron Sheldon (@eff8nbthere) on Apr 11, 2016 at 7:33am PDT

A love for astronomy can also be explored through a love for reading

“There are perhaps no days of our childhood we lived so fully as those we spent with a favorite book.” Proust #614 #614forall #aroundcolumbus #smallstepsaregiantleaps #ssagl16 #theohiostateuniversity #thompsonlibrary #cbus #igers #igerscbus #cbusgram #cbusigers #fujifilm_Xseries #fujifilmx_us #experienceohio #experiencecolumbus #ohioexplored #jj_ohio
A photo posted by Aaron Sheldon (@eff8nbthere) on Apr 5, 2016 at 4:32am PDT

“Cool kids sit at the back of the bus.”

Cool kids sit in the back of the bus…#ridethecbus #igerscbus #cbusigers #cbus #exploreohio #expcols #aroundcolumbus #astronaut #smallstepsaregiantleaps #ssagl16 #ssagl #cota #columbuskids #columbus
A photo posted by Aaron Sheldon (@eff8nbthere) on Mar 31, 2016 at 7:33am PDT

This future astronaut is starting small but he has big dreams!

Future astronaut or speculative investor? This way he’s covered either way…#lego #legostagram #smallstepsaregiantleaps #myfujifilm #mytargetstyle #target #aroundcolumbus #614forall #fujifilmx_us
A photo posted by Aaron Sheldon (@eff8nbthere) on Feb 4, 2016 at 6:59am PST

For now, he will have to make do with living vicariously through sci-fi flicks…

A photo posted by Aaron Sheldon (@eff8nbthere) on Jan 22, 2016 at 9:43am PST

Follow more of their adventures here!

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