Cool pic.
I actually started on a Flash Animation awhile back that I got too busy to finish. Unfinished, unoptimized, and doesn't even make sense (only worked on it two days, and just made it up as I went) You can view it here if you like:
http://www.munk3yboy.com/temp/DippyMovie.html
Also since you are tossing around the learning Flash thing, you can feel free to look at the full source FLA if you want. Dunno if it'll help you or not, animation is pretty easy to learn, actionscript isn't but I barely use any in this case:
http://www.munk3yboy.com/temp/dippymovie.fla
It's saved for Flash 8, although I'm sure you can "find" a copy if that isn't what you are using already.
Edit :
I drew all the stuff featured in it with a Tablet, I got the cheapest kind you can get ($99 5x4 Wacom) and it's just fine. Although some perfer larger sizes, I just zoom to compensate and have more deskspace. Size is the only real difference till you get up to ones with buttons for AutoCAD or the ones with the LCD screen built-in. The latter would be nice, but their price is alittle much for Flash cartoons. As for this animation, the little blades of grass and various other details would have been a nightmare without it. Flash itself though, does a pretty good job of smoothing out while drawing I have to admit.