My little nephew Skyler loves balloons. This has inspired my dad to learn how to make balloon animals for him, thus earning the title of “Best Grandpa Ever.”

Making balloon animals had come up in the past and I’d guessed that YouTube had some tutorials. But Dad found a local clown (literally; I’m not being mean) who teaches classes and got instruction first-hand. (He also got a red nose to wear while making the balloon animals.) Then Dad had to go to a place called House Of Chuckles (!) to get a supply of animal-making balloons. And now he’s practicing every day so he can surprise Skyler with new animals every week.


I’m really resisting italics here because every part of this story delights me. You know what else is delightful? This monkey. And my dad.