Flat Stanley: Rest in Peace

Do you know the cute little story and project called Flat Stanley? Children read the book and then create a Flat Stanley and send him all over the country to friends and relatives who take pictures of him in their city.

Well, Flat Stanley arrived from my little nephew recently. We've been photographing him on the subways, in front of the Statue of Liberty, taking a train ride, and enjoying an outdoor lunch (as pictured). It's been fun. It's so exciting for the children to receive him back with a description and photos of the cities he has visited, and me and my partner have been willing participants in such a great little adventure.

That was until last evening when we got home. I went to retrieve Mr. Stanley from the camera carrying case he was protected in when, to my utter shock, he was gone! Yup, that's right. Gone. Nowhere to be found. I checked the carrying case again and again, but to no avail. Can you believe it?

I am just beside myself with disappointed and frustration. Now I have to be that uncle who makes the call, "You know that cute project that your child's whole summer is built around? Well, I've completely ruined it. I couldn't handle the simple responsibility of carrying around a paper doll for two days and then putting him back in the mail."

Ugh. I just feel horrible. I've made calls to the one place I actually opened the camera case, but they say they don't see anything in the store. I'm going to try one last time later this afternoon before informing my sister-in-law that Flat Stanley is on the loose.

There goes the "uncle of the year" award. Sigh.