Delia hopped from one soft crater-stone to the next. Her boots made quiet *poof* sounds on the Comet Porch outside her family’s round space house.

Above her, stars twinkled like tiny night-lights. A silver planet drifted by slowly, as if it was yawning.

Delia held a notebook with a puffy cover. She liked to pretend it was a real explorer journal.

“Ready, steady, explore!” Delia whispered. It was her favorite saying.

Four friends slid out from behind a warm meteor mailbox. They were aliens, and they were very friendly. Each had a big green head, two bendy antennas, and a skinny green body that looked like a noodle in a sweater.

Zib was the tallest and stood very straight. Momo liked to count everything. Pex always carried pretend tools. And little Pip still bounced when he walked.

Their antennas wiggled hello.

Delia’s tummy felt cozy-happy. Playtime in space felt like a warm blanket.

“Today we are researchers!” Zib announced in his important voice.

Momo nodded. “We will make observations. That means we look carefully.”

Pex tapped Delia’s notebook gently. “And we write, so we remember.”

Pip pointed at the sky with both hands. “And we go *zoom!*”

Delia giggled. “Ready, steady, explore!” she said again.

They set out three space cones in a row. They were old stardust buckets turned upside down.

Cone One was the Rocket Ship.

Cone Two was the Moon.

Cone Three was Mars.

Zib and Pex climbed into Cone One. It became a rocket the moment they sat inside. Delia circled them like a gentle moon-moth.

“I am Mission Captain Delia,” she said, because it felt brave and fun.

Momo held a shiny spoon like a control stick. “Countdown!” he called.

Pip whispered, “I can do the last number.”

Momo counted, “Five… four… three… two…”

Pip squeaked, “One!”