Tadpole huntin'

We have the good fortune to live near Pastorius Park, a branch of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park system. Last Sunday, the kids used buckets to catch dozens of tadpoles, which did not, despite protests, become household pets. They were released back into the wild.

From Mad Doctorly Ruminations

From Mad Doctorly Ruminations

From Mad Doctorly Ruminations

An Adventure

The kids had been bugging me for an adventure, without grownups. They packed a bag with supplies, including snacks, stuffed animals, and games. Then, while mom shopped at King of Prussia Mall, I took them to Valley Forge National Park. Armed with a map, they followed a trail while Dad followed at a discrete distance. We met up at the artillery park.

Zoozapalooza

Tristan's class had a field trip to the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown yesterday. Daddy's favorite part was the zep from Lou's he had for lunch. Tristan was partial to the playground...

From Mad Doctorly Ruminations

He learned how far he could jump relative to other animals.

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And a goat told him several juicy secrets.

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Here's a little bit of the controlled chaos that is a kindergarten field trip. The Ancillae teachers all deserve medals IMO.

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This peacock tried to make Tristan his girlfriend by doing its sexy dance for him.

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Tristan preferred the colorful display of the butterfly.

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EP Zoo is home to a flock of about 10,000 turkey vultures. Look alive, kids!

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Best Anything Anywhere

Charles Barkley once said "I am not a role model." And in response, about a million journalists, teachers, and parents smacked their heads. Of course, you're a role model, Sir Charles. Once you're in the public eye, you're expected to set a good example.

So when a sports figure actually goes out of their way to help others, they deserve praise for living up to their obligations.

I'm speaking, of course, of the Phillie Phanatic.Yesterday, my wife ran the Broad Street Ten-Miler, which was pretty darn impressive on its own. My kids and I participated in the One Mile Fun Run. Tristan bounced along gleefully, looking kind of like Tigger on uppers. Audrey's asthma got the better of her, and after a half a mile she slowed to a walk. She asked to quit, but I tried to keep her walking to the finish line. Finally, about a hundred yards from the finish line, I asked if she could try running, so at least she could finish on a positive not. She would have none of it.

Then a big fuzzy green hand reached out to her. Taking Audrey by the hand, the Phanatic ran with Audrey, who suddenly found it in her to accelerate to a sprint. Grinning broadly and flanked by her two big doofuses, she raced across the finish line and I swore she could have run another mile. Both kids received a medal for their efforts, and they were extremely proud. So was I.

Thanks, big guy! I don't need a magazine to tell me that you're the best mascot in sports. You're more like the best anything anywhere.