Happy New Year 2023!

We're ringing in the new year with Snoopy!

This isn't an educational blog post. But I do talk a little about Snoopy-related resources.

Snoopy just got back from his mission to the Moon and back with Artemis 1. He was the zero-g indicator. Here's a photo of Snoopy flying in his jump suit.

Want to see some Snoopy resources about Artemis 1? Here's a link: https://ymiclassroom.com/lesson-plans/snoopy-zgi/

And a bunch more resources are available on the official Peanuts website here: https://www.peanuts.com/activities/peanuts-lesson-plans

We enjoy learning about space with Snoopy. But Snoopy has done a lot more than go to space over the decades - in comics, shorts, and films.

We especially love the comics when Snoopy flew a Sopwith Camel as a World War I flying Ace.  Here's our daughter with an Aviator Snoopy toy.

Here's Snoopy wishing you a Happy New Year!

Our family's New Year's Eve tradition is watching "Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown" together.

Have you heard of this film? It came out in 1977.  Here's the poster:

This movie is an outdoor adventure where Charlie Brown and his friends go on a river rafting race! There are mean kids and nice kids. There are girls and there are boys. And in the end, a very unexpected individual wins! (No spoilers)

This tradition started a few years ago when Tom put the film on and I... I was seriously confused!! I thought I had seen every Charlie Brown feature! I have several of them memorized, songs and all. But ... I had never, ever encountered this one. Not one bit of it was remotely familiar. I was somehow watching a classic Charlie Brown flick for the first time - as an adult! And I loved it!!

For my husband, this was his favorite Snoopy flick. He watched it all the time as a kid. So, we decided then and there that it's going on our calendar, and we're going to watch it every New Year's Eve. And we have. It's always a hit.

Here's a photo of our girls watching "Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown" together.

Lessons learned (according to these kids):

Be kind. Don't be a bully. If you're trying to make other people lose, you will lose.

Winning isn't everything. Friendship is more important than winning.

Woodstock is the best. Everyone loves Woodstock.

Do you have any family traditions?

Does Snoopy show up in any of your traditions, too?

Happy New Year!