A Beloved Beagle

Thanksgiving is less than one week away, which means a well-deserved mini vacation for students and teachers. Thanksgiving is a time for traditions and one of my faves is tuning into the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I rarely see the parade in its entirety, however this year I’m hoping to see the newest Snoopy balloon. The beloved beagle is making his eighth parade appearance. He’ll be decked out in astronaut gear, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. Gotta love a pup who stays up on current events!

Snoopy is one of five brand new jumbo balloons. There’s also a green ham, a yellow sponge, a respected bear, and a balloon masterpiece by the “Princess of Polka Dots,” artist Yayoi Kusama. The entire balloon lineup with individual stats of size and handlers can be found here. The website is packed with pre-holiday math opportunities. The younger crowd can vote on their favorite parade balloons or draw pictures of the balloons they’d like to see in next year’s parade. Or, kiddos can draw themselves as balloons and write or dictate what it might feel like to soar high above the parade crowd!

Have you ever wanted to be a parade balloon handler? I may have to put this on my bucket list! Ninety balloon handlers will be guiding Snoopy through the parade route. I’m still trying to imagine what that might be like.

Wishing you your favorite kind of Thanksgiving. Know that those of us here at The Mailbox are truly thankful for your dedication to and enthusiasm for the education of children.

With a bounty of thanks,

Diane