New Year's Eve Celebrations

Melvin is getting ready for New Year's Eve celebrations. He's happy to ring in the start of 2011. Now that Winter Solstice has passed and the days are getting longer in the Northern Hemisphere, he is getting a bit more sleep so he's feeling rested.

Melvin likes watching how excited everyone is by the fireworks displays on New Year's Eve and of course he loves the colors, but sometimes it's a little scary for him too.

Instead of fireworks this year, Heather is going to release a balloon for Melvin on New Year's Eve. I wonder what color it will be?

Sincerely,

Melvin Moon

Melvin's Favorite Poem: T'was the Night Before Christmas

The following poem was written by Clement Clarke Moore in 1822. See if you can figure out why it is Melvin's favorite. If you have it figured out- write your answer as a comment.

Twas the Night Before Christmas,

by Clement Clarke Moore

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Merry Christmas!!

Melvin Moon

Winter Solstice and Lunar Eclipse

Tuesday December 21st, is a special night for Melvin Moon. It's a Full Moon, Winter Solstice, and an Lunar Eclipse. These events have not occurred together very often. The last time they did was over 400 years ago!

A Full Moon always feels special to Melvin. He feels more powerful on those nights and gives us more light during the night.

Winter Solstice is special because it is the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This means Melvin has more "air time" than the sun! So to be full during his longest night is extra special.

A Lunar eclipse means that for a little over an hour, if you look up at the sky the shadow of the earth will block out Melvin and instead you'll see kind of a reddish glow. This might feel a wee bit scary to Melvin so he's grateful for all your red balloons!

There might even be a bit of a meteor shower thrown in there as well. And if you've read Melvin's Balloons, you know how he feels about meteor showers!

If you haven't read Melvin's Balloons- you should go to www.brylerpublications.com or pick up a copy at your local bookstore or on Chapters on-line. With all this going on, you better do it before Tuesday!

Sincerely,

Melvin Moon

Despicable Me: A Melvin Moon Movie Review

Melvin likes anything to do with the moon- feels flattering to him, so he liked the movie "Despicable Me'. He saw the movie in the summer but once again had to wait for Heather to get caught up so she would write about it for him! He likes the idea of someone wanting to steal the moon. He isn't worried at all though! Melvin feels pretty secure in his position in the universe. He liked the little yellow guy that was filled with helium- just like a balloon, that little guy in the movie floated up to Melvin. Looked a lot like the yellow balloons in Melvin's Balloons- and full of yellow energy too!

Thanks for thinking of me!

Sincerely,

Melvin Moon

Chester District School

Melvin visited Chester District School this morning. Chester is on the ocean so Melvin has been working on the tides around there! Heather saw some very interesting art work on display at the school and lots of Christmas decorations. It was a really rainy and super windy morning- just the right kind of day to be snuggled down with a good book.

Heather read Melvin's letter to Mrs. Griffith's Grade 4 class. Melvin loves it when people listen to his story! Everyone in the class had excellent questions for Heather.

The class made both Heather and Melvin feel very good this morning! Thanks for the green balloon feeling!!

Sincerely,

Melvin Moon

White Snowflakes!

Melvin has been seeing some white snowflakes for quite awhile now, but sometimes he has to wait for Heather to get caught up with him! Today she has finally seen a bit of snow so is writing this entry for him.

Melvin loves the way snow gently blankets the ground. The fresh clean whiteness of it all makes Melvin feel very peaceful, just like when he gets white balloons. Melvin thinks is the quiet peace of snow that makes people hope they get a white Christmas.

But thanks to your balloons, Melvin knows the feelings of white, peacefulness, and being connected to everything actually come from within and you don't need snow to have that feeling.

Melvin sends the feeling of peace right back down to you whether you have snow or not!

Sincerely,

Melvin Moon

Melvin Discovers Moon Dough!

Melvin is very excited to discover something called "Moon Dough". He thinks this would be a wonderful way to make model "Melvin's" and the refill dough even comes in a Crescent Moon shape. Of course Melvin likes the colors of the dough too.

Melvin happens to know that Moon Dough is on a lot of Christmas lists this year and in some letters to Santa.

If you want to include Melvin's Balloon story with your Moon Dough gift, you can find Melvin in local bookstores, Chapters (in the store or on line) or order directly through Melvin's publisher at www.brylerpublications.com.

You can also go to Heather's website at www.pixiedusthealing.com to find out more about Melvin's Balloons or order a copy.

Melvin feels very popular these days!

Sincerely,


Melvin Moon