"The popularity of my performance as Count Drosselmeyer in Tschiakovski's The Nutcracker has necessitated the addition of dates through the holiday weekend, so I am still in New York," said Stegosaurus.

"I got Christmas cards from my cousins. Lexovissaurus' card just said Joyeux Noel!, but Kentrosaurus had a lot of news to relate.

He told me that he'd applied to march in the Innaugural Parade for US President Barack Obama, and he thought certaintly that he'd be accepted.

He's from Kenya, and the President - elect has family in Kenya. He also thought that his status as a World War II veteran ( he served in the little known Battle of Humboldt Museum ) would elevate his chances.

But unfortunately apparently the President - elect's transition staff did not take his application seriously and declined it.

He's always felt the world did not appreciate his service in the second World War, since he was so severely injured in the Battle of Humboldt Museum, and never recieved a Purple Heart. Now this happened so he was very sad about the rejection. I told him I was very proud of his time spent in the military; I spent most of my time during the War Years on the Homefront trying not to eat my victory garden. Kentrosaurus always has been braver than I am.

Kentrosaurus is planning to invite our sister Quagga over for Christmas dinner --- She is also a veteran of the Battle of Humboldt Museum -- and he said he's felt inspired by the generosity of the season to invite our friend Spinosaurus, if he promises to be a good dinosaur and not eat them all. Kentrosaurus would like to have a nice veteran's reunion.

I have to run now I'm on the stage in 15 minutes! There's a lot of work to do before Stegosaurus Claus comes tonight!"

Dinosaur Dads Cared For Young, Researchers Say

"Late Sunday afternoon, after my final successful performance as Count Drosselmeyer in Tschiakovski's The Nutcracker at New York's Radio City Music Hall, I stomped over to Macy's Department Store to visit with Stegosaurus Claus," said Stegosaurus. "I couldn't wait to tell him what I'd like for Christmas!"

"You've been a good dinosaur so far," Stegosaurus Claus told me; "You've eaten lots and lots of trees, and haven't intentionally killed anyone with your cool, spiky tail yet this year!" I was so proud. After the meeting I wanted to invite him for a nice meal of Pointsettia Bushes, but I was too shy.

"After I lost my bid for the Colorado Senate I consoled myself by eating a couple forests," said Stegosaurus. "Then I walked to Cuba to practice ballet at the Stegosaurus School of Dance, which was the dance of the month in November. I'm practicing for my gig as Count Drosselmeyer in Tschiakovski's The Nutcracker at New York's Radio City Music Hall in December.

I've also been helping the Cubans rebuild after Hurricane Paloma. The damage to the Stegosaurus School of Dance was minimal; I've done more damage to the School inadvertently while dancing the lindy hop, so we were lucky there. The Cubans are resilient and brave people.




Please be sure to come to New York in December and see me ballet! There are two performances:

December 13th 7:30pm; and December 14th 2:00pm.

As always, being practical I accept payment in trees.