Aww, noodle. Yes, extra hugs and comfort are in order.

I don't know why! It's kinda weird, actually.

Awesome about the cyclists, Burrell.

Why must all kids in kid's movies deal with separation from family?

I know! Every movie, no matter what the plot. I don't get it. For the longest time my kids wouldn't watch movies because they couldn't take whatever trauma was thrown at them in the first 10 minutes.

The worst is Nemo, but luckily we had been warned so we knew to skip the opener.

I think the real answer is so that the main character kids are in charge of their own lives, but it often seem unnecessarily mean to the kids watching.

They get a Midwinter Break? And then also a spring break?

Yep. Plus two weeks for xmas.

Suh-weet. We start in mid-August, end in early June, get a week off in April, and last year only got a bit over a week for year-end. Then again, we get snow days (I admit, I missed those in SF).

mac school goes until June 27 or somesuch. I must admit. My mindset is that I should have this week off also. I would very much like a paid vacation to stay at home and have mac at afterschool. I know I say that every few months, but it never stops being my fantasy - I have so much I'd like to do around the house. I did do some good stuff this weekend though. 2 bags and a window fan went to the thrift store. I listed some stuff on freecycle and have an interested party. I may yet get things up on ebay, and I mailed two boxes today.

I'm surprised so many people had to work today! It's been a holiday for so long around here -- and Boskone is always held this weekend because so many people have off.

I have to go to school in another 30 minutes or so, but that's Special.

I think the real answer is so that the main character kids are in charge of their own lives, but it often seem unnecessarily mean to the kids watching.

Yeah, and yet there's got to be other ways of initiating the action, at least in some stories.

Yep. Plus two weeks for xmas. But I think they start earlier (usually last week of August) so it's the same amount of schooldays. Since it's not superhot in the Bay Area there's not the big cost savings you get in the South by keeping the air conditioning off for an extra week.

It's the same number, more or less, of instructional minutes at any public school in California. I love ski week in February, but I almost always wished it were in March instead because March is a long slow month of every-day attendance.

You could have Dumbo, where the mother gets locked up in the psycho bin...?

Our public school in NoCal is in session -- just not today.