That’s not a waiter telling you the specials at a new restaurant in New York City.

When I was first interested in balloon animals at 11 years old, like Earl Hickey, those were the only animals I could offer.

I was fascinated and terrified of the practice of bending air inside that rubber casing. There’s something that seems to be defying physics as you twist and bend and squeeze the straight tube into a 3D representation of animals, objects, hats, even cartoon characters.

I think I may still have the red plastic pump from my first balloon animal kit somewhere in the attic at my parents’ house. I was able to work my way up to making basic animals like fish and the somewhat familiar dog.

Over the years, I’ve had a few opportunities to show off my twisting skills, but even with my limited memory (and more than a few popped balloons) it’s been kind of fun to try.

And if I decide to renew my pursuit of balloon twisting I’d like to be able to create more complex creatures.

It may be time for an upgrade to one of cool new Balloon Modeling Kits we now carry at the Lemonade Stand. With a variety of colorful balloons, balloon pump, and instruction booklet I just might be able to learn to create these guys:

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