From Coast to Coast

Jim was in LA for two and a half weeks doing a commercial shoot for Capital One. I decided I would go visit my folks with the kids while he was away. That meant me on the plane with four kids. Let me assure you that screaming was a major factor on both flights. "Really! She's usually such an easy going baby. Must be cabin pressure?" It was all great once we got there, though. We had a wonderful time with my parents and many great days at the beach. Here's a picture of all of us in Woods Hole. Woods Hole is such a cool place. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is there, which gives you the sense that there are all these really interesting, smart people walking around, probably studying cool stuff. We are at our favorite restaurant in town, Captain Kidd. I don't know why the photo looks all misty like that, but I like it.

The day after we got home Jim called to tell me part of one of the commercials was going to be in a toy store and they needed toys that were not "branded". He asked if I wanted to send out some of my dolls or stuffed animals. Yeah! But when I looked over my things, I realized I haven't made much that would look like a "toy" if it were shown real fast on TV. Hmmmm. Patrick had been asking for a monster doll, so I thought this would be a good reason to get that project done. Patrick drew this design.
So I got to work and knocked out the monster doll pretty fast out of some old felted sweaters. As I was working on it, I started to (guiltily) remember that the director of the commercial had a baby not too recently and I neglected to send a gift, even though they have always sent the most beautiful gifts every time we have had a baby. So I thought Ha Ha! I will make another toy! Robot! As fast as I could and with every spare second I made this robot in an afternoon and shipped it all off to "Hollywood". It was so last minute that I didn't have time to take proper photos. I strapped all the kids into the car, propped the dolls up against this moldy tree, snapped a few and then zoomed off to the Fedex store.
Now that you know, keep your eyes peeled for these guys in an upcoming commercial. From what I've seen, the robot might be the one you see most clearly. Jim does this stuff all day, but for me it was very exciting to be able to contribute something.