Hello Everyone!

It’s Friday, which means only one more day until Saturday, which I love because it rhymes with Hatterspray and Fatterjay.

But while it’s still today, I’m excited to share my favorite submissions from Hot Air Balloon Week! As usual, you guys sent us so much incredible stuff. I hardly know where to begin.

Let’s start with some drawings.

Here is one from Thalia:

I love the colors you chose, Thalia. The pink balloon against the orange sky…just beautiful. I also like the affirming happy faces floating in the sky to either side and above the balloon. If one is going to go ballooning, it is best to have an approving sky nearby.

Here is Phoebe’s drawing:

It appears that Phoebe will not be flying alone. No, indeed. She seems to have made room for Thalia, Mumma, and Homer, and maybe some others. I can’t quite tell. Fortunately, her basket is big and looks rather comfortable. And the large heart on the side of the ballon gives me the sense that this is going to be a friendly flight. I only wish that I could come along.

On Wednesday, we asked a question: If you could take a hot air balloon ride, where would you go and who would you take with you? LOTS of you had ideas about this one:

Kato: I would take every one of my friends, even Baba. I would go to China and California.

I am Kato’s dad, but am I one of his friends? It’s not clear. I truly hope so. I would like to go to China.

Alden: I would go to Ireland. I would take my family and Mary Jane and Madeline and Quinten and Bryn Margaret and Lily and Gabby. I would also bring Isabella (my doll) and her sheep.

I am assuming that I, as Alden’s father, am included in the “family” category. So perhaps I will finally get to have my own hot air balloon ride. I wish, however, that I had been consulted before the sheep was invited.

Harvey: I would like to take my whole family on a hot air balloon ride to Taiwan to visit my Gong-Gong and Poa-Poa (maternal grandparents).

Only three kids in, and we have two trips to China planned. The age of globalization is truly upon us. I wonder if these guys know how long it’s going to take to get there. And how seldom we’ll have the chance to stop for donuts as we cross the Pacific. What kind of snacks are you planning on bringing, Harvey? May I suggest beef jerky?

Harry: I will take my Ralphie (stuffed animal dog), my Research Dinosaur, and Harvey, Mommy, Daddy, and Halvard on a hot air balloon to the jungle because that’s where Ralphie wants to go. We will fly by Texas and fly by Sea World in San Antonio.

A well-considered trip, Harry. I approve of your route and your plan to bring a researcher along. The jungle is full of undiscovered species. If you identify any new species, can you please name at least one of them after me?

Harvey: I will take Harry on my hot air balloon to Sochi. (Harvey REALLY wants to submit another one!)

Not content to merely travel to China, Harvey is now planning a trip to Russia as well. Perhaps to get heavily discounted Olympics tchotchkes?

Anna: I don’t want to go on a hot air balloon, because they go too high, but if I did go on a hot air balloon, I would go to Paris with my daddy.

Anna, I completely identify with your aversion to heights. It’s why I seldom travel to the tops of ladders. Or stand on chairs. Or on my tip toes.

Phoebe: I want to go in a hot air balloon to Greece, and the balloon would go so fast, and I wouldn’t have to sit in an airplane for ten hours. I would take my whole family, and my dog, and my suitcase, and my backpack, and I would pack a telescope, binoculars, lotion, clothes, a bunch of toys, my animals, my lucky coin, and a big rainbow lollipop.

You kids are the most cosmopolitan balloon travelers I’ve ever met. If I got to go in a hot air balloon, I would ride it to the bathroom so I didn’t have to walk all the way. The bathroom is very far away. And my legs are tired.

Also, Phoebe, good thinking on bringing the lotion. Who knows if they have any in Greece. Also, I’m sorry to admit it, but I ate your lollipop.

Thalia: I would take a hot air balloon to Florida because I miss my aunt there and also because it’s warm there even in winter. And I would take ice cream and lemonade and a little pup with toys to go with it, and a penny to buy things, and a tiny tiny tiny tiny marble for good luck.

Thalia, you know what they say, the smaller the marble, the bigger the luck. I’m glad you’ve discovered this at such a young age. Also, if you bring ice cream, be sure to eat it in the first five minutes so that it doesn’t have a chance to melt in Florida. Also, you might want to bring at least two pennies, because of, you know, inflation.

In answer to the weekly question, Ian sent us this note:

And here is Ian’s balloon picture:

Ian, I just love your drawing. Everything about it is just right. The shape of the balloon. The curve of the sides. The sandbags hanging from the basket. The flame as it erupts from the burner. The only thing missing is a passenger. I’m assuming that you’re in there. Peeking over the side? Or perhaps curled up in the bottom of the basket, taking a nap and dreaming?

Here is Harvey’s story and picture for the week:

Once there were some angry birds and pigs. They go all over the world. One pig’s name is Little. He loves to go down the slide. He likes the slide. He did it when he was 20 years old. There is a bird that did the monkey bars. A hot air balloon carried them to their home. They did not see anything but clouds. Finally, little pig fell asleep and had the best dream ever.

Harvey, at first I thought your birds and pigs were bound for a fight, but I was glad to find that it was a peaceful story instead. How much more harmonious would our iPhones be if the pigs and birds spent all day playing on the playground together instead of knocking one another off of pedestals? 

After much consideration, lengthy consultation with my large dog Iggy, and several bowls of cereal, I am ready to announce that…

…the winner of the week is… IAN!

…for his truly excellent drawing of the hot air balloon. And for referring to Robbi as “Miss Robbi.” Actually, I kind of wish he hadn’t done that because now Robbi wants me to call her Miss Robbi, too. (You can download your coloring page HERE, Ian!)

Thanks to all of you kids out there for sending us your stories and pictures about hot air balloons. We sure enjoyed the view.

Check back tomorrow for a new theme. It’s for the birds!