For Groundhog Day, Have Some Family Fun With Phil

Update: Punxsutawney Phil woke up this morning and saw his shadow at 7:25 a.m. — signaling another six weeks of winter. If he had not seen his shadow, we would have had an early spring, according to tradition. The series score is now 99-16 in favor of winter.

It's Groundhog's Day! And this year, celebrate Punxsutawney Phil's sagely annual weather forecast in style.

• Watch the Movie: Groundhog Day, the 1993 classic starring Bill Murray, stands the test of time when it comes to hilarity. Murray plays a self-centered, down-and-out weatherman who’s doomed to repeat the same day over and over in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania—until he learns how to be a better person. It’s one of co-star Andie McDowell’s best roles, and Bill Murray provides non-stop comedy. Your family movie night will help ring in Groundhog Day 2012 with plenty of belly laughs.
• Read the Book: While many children’s books have been published about Groundhog Day, a lesser-known page-turner exists. The Magic of Groundhog Day: Transform Your Life Day by Day, a self-help book for adults written by Paul Hannam, is actually based on Bill Murray's path of self-discovery in the movie Groundhog Day. According to Amazon.com, the book “reveals how you can transfer the magic of the movie into your own life, at home and work. You too can break free from repetitive thoughts and behaviors that keep you stuck in a rut, and transform a mundane day into a magical day by simply changing your attitudes. You too can wake up to the ever-present magic, and discover the extraordinary in the ordinary. You too can create the life you want to live, not the one you were conditioned to live.” If a trip to your local bookstore doesn't yield results, get your copy online, by clicking here.
• Cook a German-Style Feast: Early German settlers in Pennsylvania were reportedly responsible for bringing the annual Groundhog Day tradition to America, and some current celebrations still involve speaking German and cooking authentic German fare. Break out the sausages, pretzels and beer, or delve even further into German cuisine by trying your hand at spatzle, a delicious noodle based in egg yolk heaven. Feeling adventurous? View a traditional spatzle recipe here.
• Bake Cupcakes: It’s fun to get the kids involved with baking, and Groundhog Day is the perfect opportunity to get really crafty with cupcakes. Numerous online recipes abound, so huddle around the computer with your family and find your favorite recipe for Groundhog Day cupcakes. Some favorite recipes feature a groundhog popping up out of the earth, and we thought this one was the cutest and simplest.
• Decorate a Groundhog Day Diorama: Get creative this Groundhog Day! Gather your family and create a diorama of the annual scene that plays out in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Or, focus on the specifics and create a setting that features a groundhogs’ natural habitat, or a cute furry groundhog popping its head from beneath the earth and peeking around. Your local craft store has plenty of usable materials, like clay, paint and other sculpting items. And your backyard has free props, too! Gather outdoor materials, such as pine cones, sticks and leaves to build your scene. Need a little creative assistance? Google images of Groundhog Day, the annual event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, or photos of that furry little creature who decides whether or not we remove our shorts and sandals from storage.