The Guys

Typically when Anna wakes up in the morning our conversation goes like this:

Me: Good morning, sleepy girl.

Anna: Hi. Out. Milk. Guys?? Guys?? Guys??

The "guys" in question are a motley crew of infant toys Anna inisists on toting around with her while at home. Their names are Neigh, Monkey, Moo, Octopus, Bug, Hayla's Bug and Jake (yes, after Anna's buddy Jake J.).

Given the creativity of their names you can probably guess what animal each guy is...except Jake (he's a "Whoozit" and you can see him nestled between Octopus and Moo in the picture below).

Membership in The Guys is determined only by Anna and tends to be permanent. New members have rarely been inducted (the two bugs are the only instances). However, Guys can be ousted for reasons abundantly clear to Anna but indecipherable to us. Take the sad story of Rooster.

Rooster was an original founding member of The Guys. You can see him in the photo below next to Moo. One morning, though, when we were picking up the guys, I handed Rooster to Anna and she shouted, "No!", and literally threw him across the room. Curious, I picked Rooster up and brought him back to Anna and she yelled, "No!" again and refused to touch him. I wish I could figure out what misdemeanor he's been accused of, but clearly he's been judged guilty and his sentence is exile from The Guys.


Jason and I will sometimes add Rooster to the mix when The Guys are huddled in a pile on the floor. Whenever Anna finds him, though, the reaction is the same. Although over time it's become less severe - she still says no but now instead of throwing him, she takes him to her toy cabinet and closes him inside. So, actually, maybe it's worse for Rooster - it's as if he's being put in solitary confinement.

Yesterday we were a little worried because Anna started to say no to Moo while gathering The Guys. There was no throwing or yelling involved, though, and eventually she started bringing Moo to Jason saying, "Here, Daddy." Several times during the day she gave him Moo and he eventually asked if Moo should go to work on the airplane with him. Anna enthusiastically responded, "Yes!". So, it seems he is not exiled, just being sent on a secret mission. Alas, while packing Jason forgot to include Moo, but we'll make sure he makes the trip next week.

If she had her way, The Guys would be with Anna 24/7. We've worked hard to curb this desire because keeping track of seven Guys (plus Bunny, her #1 lovey) while out and about is a nightmare. So, The Guys stay at home. When we travel she gets to bring 2-3 Guys depending on the duration of the trip and it is entertaining to watch her decide who gets to come. Neigh and Monkey, the ring leaders, are always givens, but the third Guy is always different. It's one of those times when I wish I could see what her little mind was thinking.