Breakfast from The Fuzzy Five for Archer

Stopping by the MoCCA (Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art) Festival on Sunday, we unwittingly reinvigorated the kids' love for all things cute, plush and round.  Who knew they were still actively coveting The Fuzzy Five (fuzzyfive.com) from a brief exposure 2 years ago? (Well, to be honest, I was not completely unaware.)  There was a brief moment of confusion when Archer realized that the character he wanted, "Spirit" the fox, was female, but he quickly shifted allegiance to "Breakfast" the rooster.  The poster (by Melissa Zayas I think) was so wonderful that he requested that it be copied as best as possible....given the limitations of a napkin and my short supply of patience.  But I was happy to have the excuse to define the word "belligerent" as it applies to so much kid behavior at our house.  

Young Justice Nightwing and Nightshade for Ansel

Ansel's selection from The Fuzzy Five (fuzzyfive.com) was Nightshade- a fitting companion at least in terms of name to the updated and suspiciously muscular new Nightwing on "Young Justice."

Origami General Grievous for Archer

What would be an appropriate follow-up to Origami Yoda?  (after Darth Paper and the Fortune Wookie of course)  Origami General Grievous from author Tom Angelberger's blog.   (origamiyoda.wordpress.com)  I don't think I would be capable of folding this one either.

Beagle Puppy for Ansel

Another dog napkin for Ansel.  He just wanted it to be as cute as possible

Origami Yoda for Archer

Origami Yoda ("The Strange Case of..." by Tom Angleberger) was resurrected with great intensity yesterday.  (See October 2011 for a previous appearance)  Star Wars may be down for long periods of time at our house, but it is never completely out.  This particular piece of origami (not included in the book)  requires 30 something minutes of fast, hard to follow, video instructions on YouTube.  I made it to about minute 12 before admitting defeat.  At that point the paper had about 70 folds in it, but was still flat. Archer looked at the napkin this morning, and, remembering my abject failure, asked, "And why couldn't you manage to fold one of these?!"  

Ansel and Wolf for Ansel

As they are a more scary and powerful version of the dogs that he loves so much, wolves are pretty compelling for Ansel.  Unsurprisingly, her was dissatisfied with the napkin when he got up this morning: he had changed his mind and did not want to be in the picture.... or perhaps he did not appreciate my drawing of him, which I can understand. 

Water Skiing Furno for Ansel

Ansel inexplicably requested Furno from Hero Factory water skiing.  The character certainly does some underwater heroing in the latest adventures, but as far as I know, skiing is not in his repertoire. 

General Ogun and Quest for Archer

Characters from "The World of Quest" by Jason T. Kruse  (jasontkruse.com)  Quest's surly, sarcastic, and casually violent demeanor appeals deeply to both kids.  Ansel tells me that I drew him too short. 

Bulk on Furno's Bike for Ansel

Bulk from Hero Factory riding Furno's bike.  This is the latest, most coveted, excruciatingly expensive LEGO item about which I am being nagged incessantly.  It appears that we might be able to acquire the disassembled used parts on ebay for a not totally ridiculous price....but the threat of missing pieces is daunting.  

Quest for Archer

Archer pointed out this morning that he had wanted the Quest from the book, not from the short-lived television show.  The book character is much more squat and almost not recognizable as human.  I should have known.

Rocka 6.0 for Archer

The weekend brought more painful drawing of Hero Factory characters, although perhaps not as painful as the continuous requests for purchasing them.

Young Justice Nightwing for Ansel

The Bat family continually resurfaces in the mind of our younger son, with Nightwing/Robin at the top of the list.  Ansel was very taken with the "Young Justice" version of Nightwing by robert023:

(robert023 at deviantart.com spun from the original character design of Robin by Phillybee at deviantart.com) and was quite concerned that I had messed him up in my more stocky rendering.

Infinity Blade Knight for Archer

Archer upgraded to Infinity Blade II, still coveting the $600,000 something ultimate blade. 

Only $575,000 left to earn.

Meap for Ansel

Meap from Phineas And Ferb- always a reliable choice to fill the need for cuteness and fighting. Although Ansel pointed out that I had made his legs too skinny and therefore diminished his cuteness.

Danny Dragonbreath and Jackalope for Ansel

A major aesthetic misfire:  I did not make the rabbit cute enough in this image based on "Revenge of the Horned Bunnies" from the Dragonbreath series by Ursula Vernon  The jackalope is much fluffier in the book, and I was selfishly enjoying drawing the skinny hare instead.  Or maybe I was just sleep deprived and not paying attention last night.  Ansel was quite displeased with me this morning.

Poptropica Characters for Archer

Elkhound and Beagle for Ansel

More dogs for Ansel: The ever popular beagle and an elkhound (?). I think the resemblance to a German Shepherd was the reason for that choice. Ace the Bat Hound first appeared in Batman comics in the 50's as a German Shepherd, though there have been other incarnations since.

Poptropica Chameleon Suit for Archer

I got a late start on the napkins last night, thus the minimal image here.
It was in fact, exactly what Archer requested.

Flying, Fire Breathing Hedgehog for Archer

Archer's recess character: the flying, fire breathing, hedgehog.

Apparently, he has retractable claws and can shoot his quills as well.

Archer instructed that he should be rounding the corner of a building while breathing flames.

To be fearsome, yet insipidly cute at the same time, is the goal.

Robin and Batgirl from "Robin/Batgirl: Fresh Blood" for Ansel

Ansel picked an image from the book in which Tim is supposedly removing a bullet that he has shot into Cassandra's shoulder.  Luckily, we have avoided a depiction of the wound, as well as the need to draw Robin's hands, so it is pretty unclear what is really going on.  I wonder if Ansel will provide the gory details at lunch today?

Kid Nightwing for Ansel

Ansel told me this is one of his two favorite napkins of all time. (The other one is a drawing of a beagle)  This despite the fact that he says his mouth should be "more angry" and not so "wavy." It started out as a drawing of him in a Nightwing costume, but he insisted that I revise the body and hair to resemble the action figure rather than the actual 5 year old. The result was gratifying for him, but disturbing for me.

Captain Archer for Archer

Archer takes a break from being a fire-breathing hedgehog with wings to go back to the superhero mythos, appearing as Captain Archer.... (not to be confused with the Star Trek character of the same name.)

Winged Hedgehog for Archer

An image from a violent age-inappropriate video game was upstaged by the need for a hedgehog with small wings for a recess game. I suspect that it is a violent flying hedgehog, but my son is not telling.

Dog for Ansel

Ansel requested another non trademarked canine.  But the dog does belong to someone else.

Green Ninja for Ansel

Ansel requested the Green Ninja, despite all the psychological warfare over who was going to get to be Kai. We finally had to imagine a time travel scenario so there could be two Kais in the same place at the same time.  Then they fought over who was going to be which one.  

Sneaky Rock for Archer

Archer's avatar of the moment in Poptropica.

Beagle for Ansel

Amazingly, Ansel requested another non trademarked image.

Chop Chop Caveman for Archer

Not one of my better efforts, and the camera in my phone insists on rendering the napkin as pink.

But, Archer was really pleased.

Kai ZX with Fire Sword and Berry for Ansel

Bitter conflict here over who gets to be Kai ZX from Ninjago.  One kid did not even want him to appear on the other kid's napkin.  He tried to confuse me by telling me that Kai wears blue.

Chop Chop Hockey Players for Archer

Sadly, I did not have time to draw my favorite aspect of Archer's latest video game obsession- THe lovely reflections of real and imaginary places in the ice under the players' feet

Four Headed Dragon for Archer

The four headed dragon from the season finale of Ninjago,

airing inconveniently just before bedtime.

Rover the Imaginary Dog for Ansel

Rover, one of a handful of characters that my kids have requested who does not belong to a corporation.

Great Little War Guy for Archer

Archer rediscovered the "Great Little War" game yesterday.  No one at his quaker school is likely to be fooled by the strawberry.  

Bulk With Cubed Carrot and Weapons for Ansel

Ansel wailed for much of the ride to school, "MOM! Why did you have to draw a CUBED CARROT?? I want a STRAWBERRY!!"  Here I was thinking that there were too many strawberries and pieces of broccoli impaled on various weapons on these napkins.

Poptropica Character for Archer

Archer has rediscovered Poptropica.  Not an inspiring subject to draw, but it was a late night anyway, so I was grateful for the lack of nose and neck.

Sidekicks for Ansel

Sidekicks by Dan Santat has been the favorite read for the last two nights.  What could be better than pets with super powers?  Even my older son who adamantly claims not to like super heroes much, and has little genuine enthusiasm for real animals (unlike pokemon) reread it again.

Bulk for Ansel

Ansel was devastated to discover that I had not included Bulk's "plasma shield."
I asked him what that would look like and he replied, exasperated, "You have to imagine it!"

Iron Dragon for Archer

There was some sort of conflict at school yesterday because two iron dragons have the same name.
I am hoping that the napkin will not rekindle the antagonism.