Naming Your Toys, the Quick and Easy Way

These are Emma's Littlest Pet Shop toys. 

Meet (from left to right) Matricia, Matricia, Matricia, Matricia, Matricia, and Alex.

Who I Work With

This is who I work with. 
On your left and right:  Ashley and Danavee

Yes.  These are real people.

Tall, slender, just stepped-off-the-catwalk people.  

Like...  coulda been models kinds of people.

Yes, they do look like this. Every. Single. Day. 

You want to look again... closer... I know. 

Okay.  I'm ready to field your questions now.  Who's first?

Answer 1:  speaking into the microphone... 

"No.  I don't hyperventilate every time I go into work."

Answer 2:  slightly agitated now...

"No, I don't curl up into the fetal position at the end of each work day."

Answer 3:  losing patience...

"Yes.  It IS sort of a daily exercise in humility.  Thanks for that.  ... No more questions, please." 

(Thanks to Ashley and Danavee this morning for posing for my creative bloggy whims.  You are good, and freakin' beautiful, sports.) 

Wii Bowl

It's another snowday off of school! At least a foot of snow is keeping us all indoors today, and so we decided to have a Hoodenpyle Family bowling tournament. I was bent on winning, but quickly fell behind when I got distracted with moviemaking. These were worth the sacrifice, in my opinion.

Sweet, funny, and proud bowling.

Aaaand the more obnoxious approach. (Yeah, you only thought you knew Jack.)

Emma's Babies

These are Emma's babydolls. Each of them came with a cute set of clothes and accessories. They came with diapers, baby beds, strollers, pretend baby monitors, pacifiers, bonnets, little plastic bottles with fake milk in them, onesies, you name it... the babydoll regulars.

But then Emma became their mommy. And now they look like this. They've been stripped of their clothing. Their accessories have been discarded. They look freshly sprung from the babydoll institution, one step away from a baby straightjacket. This is how she wants them. Don't mess with the babies. She's serious.

I'm a little creeped out.

Snow Day 2011

Every significant snowfall deserves a good play in it. Wait? What, Emma? You don't want to play in it? Well, let's get our snow gear on, and just see if you like it. We can come right back in if you don't. I promise.

Remember how she HATES sand on the beach. Remember last year when she rejected the snow. Even mounds of bubblebath bubbles around her in the bathtub creep her out. Well, this is a new year... Just at the garage line, nervous laughter. Tentative steps.

Getting braver. In too deep to turn back now.


Having mom's reassuring legs close by (to hide from wayward snowballs) helps.


And watching a brave (and seemingly unharmed by the snow) bigger brother boosts confidence.

Oh my goodness! You can lay down in it and NOT die? Wow!

(We may be partially over the fear! Yeah for snow days!)

Cookie Gets a Snow Day!

We all got a snow day today!

See? 3-4 inches maybe?

Cats like snow days too.

Good things happen. Like fireplaces. And laps.

And snow day treats.

Snow days-- PURRfection!

Tomorrow's post will be about how cats not only love snow days, but also disgusting smelling food/cheesy wordplay.

Mr. January!

As promised, here is a scan of Jack's winning safety calendar contest entry. Congrats, Mr. January! I've never met safer potatoes than these.