Best damn book report ever

When it came time for Tristan to do his first book report, there was little question it would take the form of a stop-motion movie. Of course, he wanted to cast his Zhu Zhu pets in the lead roles. His classmates loved it.

New Film: Nigel Takes a Fall

From the stop-motion goodness of TR Studios:

Tristan's Latest

Hatch plus Zhu Zhu Pets= Tristan's Dream Feature

And yet another director gets into the act

This one is from Audrey. It's like living in a house full of Harryhousens.

The title is Shellos meet Angry Birds.

The Pilgrims were Fankful

If there's a better turkey in a thanksgiving pageant, I would like to see it.

The Hatch Movie

Has a Webkinz critter ever shown so much soul? I would like to nominate Hatch for an Academy Award.

The kids and I made this two years ago on a rainy March morning. The youtube file seems to be corrupted, so I thought I would post it here.

Glorious Fourth

Once again, we celebrated the Fourth at the Water Tower Rec center in Chestnut Hill. Pony rides, bounce houses, and a playground. What's not to like?







We went to see fireworks in Conshohocken. It took forever for the sun to go down, but the kids loved their first real fireworks show!

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.

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.

The Bunny Trail

The Triumph of the Egg

From Mad Doctorly Ruminations

Almost there...

From Mad Doctorly Ruminations

Alice looks like the Cat that ate the Easter Bunny

From Mad Doctorly Ruminations

They're cute, but not for long (hence the blur)

From Mad Doctorly Ruminations

Audrey inspects the bunny swag

From Mad Doctorly Ruminations

Audrey's Dia de los Muertos poster was featured in a show...

From Mad Doctorly Ruminations

The hunt goes on.

From Mad Doctorly Ruminations

Spit Take

Things few fathers want to hear their sons say, #1:

"Daddy, I want to be like Elton John when I grow up. he has really nice clothes."