The Veggie Tale

Documenting my Sylvanian Families is sometimes more work than play, so I’ve thought of stories to help me as I set them up for the collection photos. It takes more time, of course, but it takes the tedium out of it! Today, we go green with

(For little Banzai) 

In the quaint little village of Kitty Little Lanes, Saturday mornings are not spent lazing around in bed or cozying up to a good book. Here, farmer Bob Blackberry rises up at dawn to deliver organic harvest straight from his farm to grocers and stores all over the village.

The sun bears down on him and his trusty steed. He has a long way to go before he can enjoy a Saturday afternoon with his family. He imagines his wife Betty making ice-cold fruit juice, fresh squeezed, and wishes he can finish his route sooner. He remembers that he promised the girls, Ingrid and Yvette, a boat ride and weekend camping, but for now, he needs to concentrate on the long distance ahead. He can’t let his clients down. They need his fresh vegetables and fruits to sell, as much as the people of Kitty Little Lanes need them to sustain their good health.

Clip clop. Clip clop. The sound of Blacksocks’ metal shoes hitting dirt and grass was a steady beat in the long drive.

“Oooohhhh, my back is killing me,” Farmer Bob groans as he stretches the muscles in his lower back.

Meanwhile, farther down the grassy road from Farmer Bob, Mr. John Sainsbury notes his dwindling supplies. Mr. John runs the tiny grocery/convenience store Sainsbury near the edge of town. His is the last store folks at Kitty Little Lanes will find before they head up to their woodland homes.

“I hope Bob arrives soon,” he says to himself. “Else, I’ll be out of things to sell.”

“A squash, a cantaloupe, two apples, two oranges, two lemons, two cucumbers, two carrots, two tomatoes, two bell peppers, and two measly bananas! Add the lone cabbage and the large radish from yesterday and my inventory won’t last three days!”

Well, his prayers are about to be answered for Farmer Bob’s cart is loaded with the best produce in the market- organic and all-natural, with prices one can’t beat!

Bushels of oranges and apples, crates of bananas, and all sorts of the yummiest fruits and vegetables are in Farmer Bob’s cart, waiting to be delivered and sold.

“Whoa, Blacksocks, whoa,” Farmer Bob says to his horse. Blacksocks halts obediently.

“Hello, Bob!” Mr. John says, relief evident in his voice.

“Hiya, John!” Farmer Bob answers. “Let me set up really fast”!

Farmer John lays out a table and brings out his best produce. He does this to all his clients so they can pick out what they want.

He brings down crates and bushels from the cart, working like an efficient machine.

And then, once settled, he reaches out to Mr. John with a firm handshake.

“Thanks for coming, Bob,” Mr. John says.

“Hey, you’re my best client!” Farmer Bob replies.

“Look at these russet potatoes! These are beauties!” Mr. John exclaims in delight.

“You might want these asparagus spears, John. They’re fresh and firm, great for roasting! And Betty roasts them with honey glazed bacon wrapped around them, like in Japanese restaurants…hmmm…. what do they call them there again?” Farmer Bob muses. “Asupara bacon maki! That’s it!” he shouts to himself.

“I’ll get some of these mushrooms too, Bob,” Mr. John says, taking a big whiff of the mushroom. (Mr. John’s tip: Fresh mushrooms will not have a noticeable scent, FYI. If you smell your mushrooms, they’ve gone bad.)

“The bananas are on special today, John. Make sure to get some, I have lots! I’m bringing some to the bakery and the cake shop- banana cakes and breads are always  bestsellers!”

After Mr. John makes his selections, Farmer Bob proceeds to pile them inside his friend’s shop. Mr. John goes to the counter to get some money to pay for his purchases.

“Where shall I put them, John?” Farmer Bob asks the grocer.

“Just right over there, Bob. I’ll unpack them myself later. I know you have other places to go to today,” Mr. John replies.

Mr. John then helps load the rest of Farmer Bob’s produce back in the cart. “As always, my friend, thank you for all these wonderful produce,” Mr. John says. “My clients will love them, I am sure of it!”

“I’ll be back Tuesday for your next selections. Got anything else you want from the farm?” Farmer Bob inquires.

“Just some of Betty’s best lemonade, please, if you can bring some. I have a hankering for those tasty drinks she makes,” Mr. John requests with a smile.

“Will do!” Farmer Bob says, as he goes up the cart again and takes the reins of Blacksocks.

“Godpseed, Bob!” Mr. John says, waving.

“Bye, John!”

“See you Tuesday!”

“You bet!”

~0~

Featured products:

Farmer’s cart and Pony with Mr. Bob Blackberry

Sainsbury Shop with Mr. John Sainsbury

Special thanks to Panda (P-Angel) for the gift of the Sainsbury Shop. You are always thought of with love, my dear friend.

Happiness is…(x)

the pretty little things in life we love! 

And when I say pretty little things, I mean just that! Not only are they terribly little, they are also absolutely pretty! What am I talking about? What else, but Sylvanian Families ceramics!

I’ve been on the lookout for these miniatures since I started collecting Sylvanian Families 2009. In the beginning, I acquired ceramic bathtubs and toilets in such quick succession that it prompted me to do research on their history. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the toy line did not stop at  ceramic bathroom furnishings, but they also came out with miniature ceramic dishes, cups, and pots. They’re quite difficult to find locally, but I have managed to secure some from different sources, both local and international, over the last few years. They are some of the most prized possessions in my collection.

This china cabinet comes with five miniature ceramic plates. Released in 1985, this Victorian-inspired dish display unit belongs to the Japanese line.

This set of ceramic plates and kettles was released at the same time, and comes in a velvet-lined box. Although the box has seen better days, all of the ceramics are in mint condition.

Aside from these releases (and I am sure there are others I have yet to find), Sylvanian Families ceramics were also available in gashapons or capsule toys in 2006. Nowadays, these are quite hard to find and only available in eBay.

The ones in front came from a set of six gashaphons.

Then, add the lone plate or cup or kettle or pot I’ve collected thtough accidental finds in lots of old Sylvanians, and I have a nice little stash of ceramic collectibles already.

The details in these little ceramic dishes are so cute that it’s impossible not to fall in love with them. The designs appear to have been imprinted by some sort of metallic paint that resist chipping and fading at the edges. They are more likely to break than fade. When you consider the size of these things and what went into their production, you have to be amazed at the skill with which these were cast and made.

From plate

to cup

to saucer

and even a tea kettle,

each one is a wonderful piece of miniature art. They’re worthy additions to any miniature collection but most especially, to a Sylvanian Families collection. And though I don’t play with them as often as I do my plastic sets, I do love to look at them and pore over their designs.

You really can find happiness even in the littlest things.

Happy Sylvanian Day, folks!

Reform the Entertainment

For Ara Kaye Feliciano

I was introduced to the world of miniatures when I started collecting Sylvanian Families in 2009. It wasn’t easy finding them in the country and what few stores carried miniatures had them in limited quantities and different scales then. These days, with Re-Ment finally making its way into the local scene, miniature collecting has suddenly acquired a whole new different market.

My real introduction to Re-Ment came by way of my Hello Kitty Junkie friends. They were the ones who showed me these collectible plastic toys. As far as sets go, I have Hello Kitty x Re-Ment sets and one of Little Twin Stars. I’ve also purchased Little Sweets Cake Shop and Tsukiji Sushi Meguri food sets and of all the non-Sanrio rement sets, I find that these two fit the Sylvanian scale best.

I’ll show you pictures of what I have first, and then try to come up with scenes showing at least one set. That way, this’ll give you an idea of what sets work best for Sylvanians, Barbie dolls, or other miniatures. For sizing, you can refer to this recommended site as reference: Mini-sizer

Here are some of my Re-Ment collections in boxes still:

The Re-Ment x Hello Kitty Meals “Ouchi Gohan” (left) and Stationery Sets (right)

Bread Bakery (left) and I Love Cooking Set (right)

Sushi Restaurant (top) and Hannari Sweets Shop (bottom)

Little Twins Stars Welcome Party

Little Sweets Cake Shop and Tsukiji Sushi Meguri

As much as Re-Ment are such fun sets to collect and play with, not all of them work with the 1/16 to 1/18 scale of  Sylvanian Families products. Buying complete sets, unless you collect them separately from your Sylvanian Families collections, may give you odd pieces that may be too big for your critters.

I have samples here of how Re-Ment can fit (or not) in your Sylvanian dioramas. As you can see, the utensils here are a bit gargantuan for Freya. Even Mama Chocolate was a little taken aback at the size of her daughter’s fork, teehee!

The bottle is only a little oversized but if you consider how big 2L bottles are, then this would only be a little off scale.

Again, the spoon is almost half Kitty’s size and will probably not fit into her mouth. Oops, I forgot! Hello Kitty has no mouth! (How does she eat? By osmosis?)

Same problem with utensil and juice bottle. The plate is too big for one person so we can all pretend it’s a serving platter.

And who wouldn’t want a bento box as big as this? I know I didn’t complain when my mom sent me to school with above-average portions for my healthy appetite!

Ooh, I love this! The tea looks almost real. And I am a sucker for crepes, waffles, and pancakes, whatever this is.

Rather big portions for individual eating but it looks yummy!

Birthday cake! Birthday cake! I’d trade a fork for a shovel anytime for this cake.

Since I’ve unboxed them, I have to organize them in small organizer boxes (available at Saizen/Japan Home) to make clean-up easy. It’s easy to lose small bits and pieces too so organizing makes it easier to spot any missing pieces.

I don’t have pictures of all the Re-Ment x Hello Kitty sets that I have but I do hope to do more scenes with them in the future. The local stores do not carry HK Re-Ment sets yet but they do have a large assortment available in toy stores these days. It’ll be worth the time to do some research before you purchase some for your Sylvanian Families, but even if they don’t fit all the time, I’m sure you’ll have fun with them anyway.

For Re-Ment in the Philippines, please visit their Facebook page: Re-Ment Philippines. Right now, Re-Ment sets are on sale (10% off) until the end of the month so check them out!

Critter Fun (New Figure Additions)

I’ve been having so much fun making stuff up for the PH♥Sylvanian Families page that I thought to re-work some pictures of new figures I have. As you can see, I am getting a little better each day with Photoshop. My thanks to my first teacher, my sister Jasmine, for patiently guiding me through the different ways I can use Adobe Photoshop. Now, I am addicted to it, heehee! (Nerd alert!)

I’ll show you the original photos as they were meant to be shown first in this blog. And then, I’ll follow it up with the re-worked photo. I had a lot of fun doing this! I hope you enjoy it too!

Penguin Adoption

I got this gray penguin as a gift from a local seller. He isn’t a Sylvanian Families figure but he looked so cuddly that I could not resist him. I thought he’d make a great addition to the De Burg Penguin family.

Why, even Polar de Burg thinks so!

~0~

Kero-Keroppi

I acquired these frogs last week and I fell in love with them right away! For old figures, they were not so shoddy, just some minor fur loss in their heads which tells me they’ve been played with and loved. Their clothes were also complete, but were worn by different family members (sister was wearing the father’s shirt, Mama was wearing sister’s dress, Mama’s dress was in an old rabbit figure, and brother’s overalls had stretched-out elastics that needed repair). I cleaned them, repaired their clothes, and now, they are as lovely as new!

Here in their lily pad, the Bullrush Family- Walter, Lydia, Algernon and Lily- finds a new home in Kitty Little Lanes.

~0~

The Vole Brothers

I got a second dentist set last week when the local toy stores re-stocked on the dentist. I wanted Spencer Clearwater to expand his practice and service the whole town without feeling stressed out. He needed more time with his wife and daughter too, not having had too many days off since they arrived in town. So, Spencer calls in his brother, the cool dude with the dark shades and the full head of blonde hair (guess where that came from!), to share the practice with him.

I can’t make up my mind on brother Vole’s name, though. Should it be Spike or Spicer? I like Spicer because it sounds closer to Spencer, but Spike is just as cute. And when he introduces himself to patients, he can always say, “Hi, I’m Dr. Spicer, the spicy Clearwater!” What do you think?

More figures coming in the following weeks so please stay tune! I hope you enjoyed my pictures today!

The Stowaway Sylvanian

I woke up that morning with a sudden start. Something- perhaps it was the sound of A♥ moving around the room or maybe the feelings of apprehension at the pit of my stomach- stirred me. I looked at the clock on the table. It wasn’t even six yet. A♥ was leaving that morning for a work trip and I didn’t want him to go.

A♥ went inside the room, dressed and ready to go. I hugged him as tight as I could and kissed him goodbye. It would be three days before I see him again. The fear in my belly was overwhelming. I really hate goodbyes.

A♥ insisted I go back to bed. He kissed me one more time as I closed my eyes. He would not see me cry, I promised myself. Seconds later, as the sound of his car gave way to the stillness of that early morning, I would start sobbing into the sheets, muffling my cries with balled-up fists. I started praying and before I knew it, I had fallen back to sleep.

The sun was up when my eyes opened for the second time that morning. The feelings of uneasiness were still there. I shivered in the cold of the room and I pulled up the sheets to my chin. A piece of paper floated off the bed, gracefully gliding down the floor.

What…the….?

I reached for the paper and read it. It was a letter.

A letter from a Stowaway Sylvanian.

By the time A♥ found Buster hiding inside his carry-on bag, they were already at the airport. It was too late to turn around and bring Buster back home so A♥ took Buster with him. Good thing he was small enough not to warrant his own ticket!

Buster sent me photos of his time with A♥. I’ll let him tell you his story from here on.

Hello, friends! My name is Buster and I am the Stowaway Sylvanian. I wasn’t really planning on doing this at first. Whem Rumpus (Macavity) and I talked last, he wanted to be the one to go with Papa A♥. I guess he chickened out in the end because he didn’t show up at all! Rumpus is a chicken! Rumpus is a chicken! Nyanyanyanya!

Oh, where was I? Well, Mama had been dreading Papa’s trip for weeks. She was miserable, so what was I to do? I couldn’t bear hearing her cry at night so I thought, why not do what Rumpus suggested? I’m no chicken! I’m tough!

The night before Papa left, I wrote a letter. A BIG letter. It took me almost the whole night to write it because I had to write big enough for them to read and I usually write really small.

As in small.

The pen was heavy too.

I set the camera to take my pictures as I posed with the letter I wrote. I wanted to make sure that Mama and Papa knew I did this of my own free will.

*Cheese!*

And then I checked on my provisions. I had some chips to last me till Papa finds me. I also brought Pookie along so I wouldn’t be scared of the dark, ehrm, so I have someone to talk to. Heehee.

Here is the letter I wrote. See the I Love You fold? Asparagus taught me that. She has a crush on T.S. Elliot Keats and she writes him notes with the ILY fold. *shudders*

P.S. I also want to be a Facebook star. Please… Heeheehee!

I am brave! I slid inside the envelope. It took an hour to lick that envelope shut. By the time I finished, I was all out of saliva and my tongue was raspy and dry. Whew!

One last peek before I closed the envelope…

I flipped myself over so the camera can take this shot of the envelope.

And then, I hopped all the way to Papa’s bag, sitting myself on top of some golf balls and spiky tees. I had to look for a soft spot (maybe some underwear!) to get comfortable.

Papa discovered me at the airport and let me out! Yay! He wasn’t angry at all! In fact, he laughed out loud and called Mama right away. Then he started whispering mushy things to her so I walked away, pretending not to hear. Parents can be so uncool.

This is the Philippine Airlines flight that would take Papa and me all the way to Cagayan de Oro, the provincial capital of the province of Misamis Oriental. Cagayan de Oro lies along the northern coastline of Mindanao. I’ve never been there so I am excited!

This is my seat. The flight attendants found me so cute they gave me my own seat. Papa said I could not have coffee so I asked for some water instead. Papa gave me his coconut-filled fudge bar.

After an hour and thirty minutes, we landed in the City of Golden Friendship! Wow! I am feeling a lot friendlier already!

We barely had time to rest before we were brought to the golf course! This was going to be a two-day tournament and I was going to caddy for Papa.

Papa held me up high as I surveyed the Pueblo de Oro golf course. I checked the place out for bunkers (sandpits for those of you who don’t now golf ) and other hazards. Papa will need my knowledge of physics to navigate this tough course.

I stayed longer to study the course and plot out a strategy. Fore!

And then, after last-minute instructions for Papa, I let him play golf. Here he is, teeing off.

I had my picture taken with Papa’s friends, Mr. D and Mr. K. I am easily the most handsome, I think.

At the end of the day, I was so tired from caddying I asked Papa to allow me go up to our room. At the Hotel Koresco, Papa and I were given a big room to share. I got a bed to myself.

And then I said good night to Papa and to the camera. Papa is safe with me, Mama. I promised you I will take good care of him and I did! He brushed his teeth and drank his vitamins. He even said good night prayers with me.

It was a long day, Mama! *Yawns* Good night!

Buster kept his promise. He watched over A♥ every second of their trip and reported back to me regularly. The next day, at the Del Monte Golf Club in Bukidnon, Buster sent me SMSs to keep me updated. Thank you, Buster! I appreciate all you did for Mama.

But don’t run away again, you hear me?

Pizza Party!!!

(A Kitty Little Lanes Story)

Dedicated to A♥ and my friends at the Sylvanian Families forum

 With the Pizza Shop ready and fully operational, the people of Kitty Little Lanes gathered to celebrate its opening. Conveniently located on  Number 20 Prudence Path, the Wildwood’s Pizza Shop offers a fully authentic yet casual pizza experience. With good food at pocket-friendly prices, good company, and a vibe that reminds one of all the comforts of home, this Pizza Shop is Kitty Little Lanes’ very own family hang-out place. 

Mayoress Kittymama is among the first to arrive. She takes no time in posing for the paparazzi. (Of course, midterm elections are coming up and the Mayoress needs to be visible for her constituents.)

The first costumers fill the outdoor dining area fast. There’s Mother Margaret Petite with son Piers enjoying an Al Quatro Formaggi (Four-cheese) pizza, while Father Patrick says hello to the Milk Rabbits. Baby Saskia impatiently whines for her slice of Vegetarian Pepper Pizza, as Mother Flora shouts her hellos to Mrs. Petite. Father Boris is also glad to see Mr. Petite, one of their family’s closest friends in Kitty Little Lanes.  

Father Rosetti Keats, on his way home from work, finds the crowd a little too much and decides to drop by for a box of pizza to bring home to the family. He’ll come back another day, with the kids in tow, he promises himself.  On the way out, he passes by a table of foreign exchange students happily pitching in their allowances for pizza to share. He also notices Kitty, the Mayoress’ young daughter fiddling on her laptop while eating cheese pizza. (He is partial to the Four-cheese pizza himself.) “Free wifi! Cool!” he almost shouts out aloud. Mr. Rosetti knows most of these kids but he is too excited to eat pizza that he goes straight home without saying hello.

Facebook and Pizza- ahhhh!

For these kids, Pepperoni pizza wins hand down. Smile for the camera!

The Wildwoods are thankful that today is a good day. The lines at the counters are manageable but constant. Mother Ginger serves with a smile, never mind that her feet are aching from standing too long. And the kids are such a big help! Whatever would she do without Ray, Tina, Rusty and Holly? She and Father Herb would never be able to manage this by themselves without their kids’ valuable help. It’s a good thing, too, that Baby Juniper is with Grandpa Smokey and Grandma Flora. This hot kitchen is definitely no place for a crawling toddler!

Outside, Big Sister Tina is busy with her own line. She keeps calling her orders to Little Sister Holly. “Keep them coming, little sis!” she shouts aloud. “One whole vegetarian and three slices pepperoni, please!” Sister Holly has barely enough time to chitchat with Andromeda Petite, her playmate, before the next pizza needs to be passed or boxed.

By the time the crowd thins out, it is late and the Wildwoods are all ready for bed. The Mayoress kindly sticks around to help (A politician who actually helps? Only in Kitty Little Lanes, folks!) with the cleaning. She congratulates Father Herb for the success of their family venture and promises to help more often in the future.

It has been a long day, but for the Wildwoods, it is only the start of their adventure into the unknown world of business. With their neighbors’ help and support, they hope that their Pizza Shop will last a long time. Hmmm…. this paparazzo is hungry. Anyone for pizza?

Makeover Magic in Kitty Little Lanes

It started with an idea that simply would not go away. Blame my DIY predilection. It would have been perfectly fine had I simply left it alone but a few missing pieces nagged me and gave me no peace. Either I complete the whole set or change it altogether, my OC tendencies screamed at me. In the end, after some advice and encouragement from my friends at the Sylvanian forum, I decided to go for it.  

This Sylvanian Cake Shop and Bakery has definitely seen better days. Peeling and broken stickers, dirt on the plastic walls, and missing items, including the centerpiece of the shop — the display counter, told me that some little child must have loved this very much. In its ideal state, it would have looked like this, as seen from this extensive collection owned by forum friend Cotton1234:  

 

  

Instead, what I got was this: 

Notice the absence of stickers along the roof border, as well as the peeling storefront sticker. Inside, you will see the curved base of the missing cake display counter.

 

After a good scrub

  

There were, however, some good things going for it. The stickers were easy to peel and clean, leaving residue that dissolved easily in soap and water. Also, the roof and walls were not discolored or faded, needing only a little spit and shine to remove the grime and dirt that had built up in some places. It is this good fortune that convinced me not to go full-mod. Modifying the building using acrylic paints was not necessary, given the walls’ good condition. Thus, I decided to work on the renovation using only homemade printed stickers. 

I wanted a pizza shop. The facade of the building, with its curved arches and columns, reminded me so much of Italian pizzerias. Besides, I already had two Sylvanian pizza stalls looking for a more permanent home, someplace where the critters of Kitty Little Lanes can dine in, get pizza to go, or call for deliveries. It would be a place where students can hang out and chill after a hard exam and where families can come for a quick meal. It would also be a family business, owned and operated by a family of hardworking denizens of KLL. 

I worked on this project on and off for close to three weeks. Some days, I hardly got anything done, what with all the imaginings and daydreaming that preceded real action. And some days I was possessed by an overwhelming desire to finish that nothing — not even the call of a good meal — could entice me away from my project. Tonight, I finally finished. Setting up took most of the afternoon and photography took a few more hours. Working all the way through dinner, I managed to get enough shots to make me feel like I really accomplished something.

So, without further ado, let me unveil Kitty Little Lanes’ new Sylvanian Pizza Shop. 

This is the storefront with newly-installed “glass” windows (made of acetate) and new name displays (made from printed sticker paper). 

This is the window adjoining the takeout stand. Lace curtains give the place a homey “mom-and-pop operation” feel and pizza posters decorate the walls. Menus are placed in a strategic place for maximum recall. 

The missing display counter was remade into a cardboard counter with faux wood finish. Using a plastic corrugated board as base and regular cardboard for the countertop, I was able to create an extra working space for taking orders, receiving payment, and picking up pizzas for the dine-in self-service crowd.  

I’m mighty proud of this handmade counter. It was a little difficult getting the measurements down and the curved base made the construction more tedious. In the end, it was a relief to find that even the color scheme works rather well. 

After the brief tour, it is time to test the market with a soft opening. As the pizza shop fills up, the Wildwood Family members start their work hours with a prescribed plan of manned stations.  

Father and older brother will deliver the pizzas.  

Older sister will be in charge of the takeout counter.  

Little sister will be Mom’s gofer and help in the takeout window by the side of the shop, passing along orders for pizza to go from the kitchen to the takeout counter.  

  

Mother will head the kitchen and man the dine-in counter.  

And Little brother will prove he’s the big man of the kitchen by deftly taking out the pizzas from the wood oven before they burn.  

 

Welcome to the Wildwoods’ Pizza Shop. Come and visit again! 

~0~ 

P.S. Remember the bag that magically appeared in bed beside Alphonse? (See this.) Well, I got great photos for this feature because of the Sony Cybershot TX9, another one of A’s anniversary gifts. (If you thought the gift reveal is done and over with, well, you’ve got another think coming, heehee.)  

Guess Who Has Come to Sylvania?

Dedicated to P-Angel and Joanna and our common fascination for Hello Kitty and Sylvanian Families. With special thanks to sis Allen for the lovely Sylvanian-sized kitties.

Two caravans pulled up near the edge of Sylvanian City. Sylvania has its share of tourists and visitors each year so this wasn’t totally out of the ordinary. And yet, the Badger Police Force seemed on the edge and tensed that particular day.

“It must be someone special,” they whispered in hushed tones. “The police don’t come out for ordinary visitors,” others said. But who could it be?

A large crowd gathered near the caravans, eager to see the new arrivals. The police kept people at bay, wanting to control the inflow of more critters. 

“Mama! I see her! I see her!” a little rabbit baby shrieked.

“Who? Who do you see?” the parents asked in confusion.

“There she is! Do you see the ribbon?” Shelley Keats shouted back. 

“It’s  HELLO KITTY,” the girls screamed in unison. “And DEAR DANIEL!!!”

“Hello, everyone,” Kitty and Daniel said. “We’re very pleased to visit your town and we hope to stay here for a while. Thank you for coming out to welcome us. We appreciate it! Arigatō gozai masu.”

Who would have thought Hello Kitty and Dear Daniel would find their way to this small town?

More exciting times are ahead, I tell you.

 

Sylvanian Stories: The Macavity’s Big Suprise Part 2

I was down with the flu these last two days and had absolutely nothing to do. Worse, I was wrestling with a major case of writer’s block. I’ve been putting this off forever, the perfectionist in me hating every shot, every pose. But bored stiff out of my mind, I resolved to put up the final installment in The Macavity’s Big Surprise. I apologize if Mama Macavity’s labor took longer than I thought it would.

Part 2 of The Macavity’s Big Surprise: Hello, Kitty!

The Sylvanian General Hospital was closed for the night. There were no more patients waiting to be seen; all in-patients had already been discharged. Nurse Nightingale put up the “The Doctor is OUT” sign as she proceeded to inventory their medical supplies. Doctor Murdoch was finishing  his patients’ records when his cell phone rang.

 

 

Mr. Macavity was frantic. Trying to reassure him, Dr. Murdoch asked him to bring in Mrs. Macavity to the hospital right away.

Within minutes, Mr. and Mrs. Macavity were at the hospital door. Nurse Nightingale loaded Mrs. Macavity in a wheelchair and deftly wheeled her inside the hospital. Mr. Macavity, sick with worry, felt faint. He has had two other kittens before, but this felt different. He could feel it in his whiskers.

And it was. Nurse Nightingale took Mrs. Macavity vital signs- heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and baby’s heart rate- and were surprised to find two heartbeats instead of one!  They totally missed this in Mrs. Macavity’s prenatal visits. (Even her ultrasound did not show an extra kitten.) Still,  Doctor Murdoch and Nurse Nightingale were used to surprises. Mrs. Macavity was in very good hands.

The babies were ready to come any minute now; one baby’s head was already crowning. Mama used the breathing technique she learned in Lamaze class and within minutes of each other, the babies were born. Nurse Nightingale could not help but smile. Twins…safely delivered in the middle of the night… what could be better than that?

Before Mama fell asleep, Nurse Nightingale and Papa talked to her softly. They reassured her that the babies were fine. Papa whispered a tiny “I love you” in her ear. Slowly, Mama’s medications took hold and she fell into a tired, dreamless sleep. Tomorrow the babies will take much of her energy and she needs to get her strength back as fast as possible.

Meanwhile… back at home…

Rumpus and Asparagus stayed up all night making a “Welcome Home” banner for Mama and the new baby. Each wanted a different sibling. Rumpus wanted a boy to play Pokemon with; Asparagus wanted a sister to share in her Hello Kitty collection. They debated on the merits of a brother versus a sister and as the night wore on, neither one was willing to give in.

The next day, they were up before the rooster crowed.  They set the house in order for Mama’s arrival, cleaning with a frenzy. Rumpus even got fresh flowers from the garden for the living room. Then they put up the banner they made in the breakfast nook. Asparagus and Rumpus, both believing this was a very special occasion, smashed open their piggy banks to buy Mama and Papa and the new baby a feast fit for royalty.

Before they knew it, Mama was home. Rumpus was excited to see the cutest little kitten in the world and he could not help but playfully rib Asparagus that his wish got answered, not hers.

But Asparagus was puzzled. Where was Papa? What was taking him so long? Didn’t Mama and Papa  get home together?

Mama chuckled quietly. These kids had a surprise coming to them and boy, what a surprise!

Papa sneaked through the back door, surprising the kids with… another baby. Both Rumpus and Asparagus were ecstatic! Here they were, each wanting a different sibling and what do you know, they both got what they wanted! Twins!

Rumpus and Asparagus quickly grabbed their crayons and pentel pens and wrote over their banner. As Rumpus held Baby Etcetera in his arms and Asparagus tickled Baby Electra’s tummy, Mama said a silent prayer of thanks. It really is nice to be home with a loving family.

Welcome to world, Macavity Twins!  Hello, Kitties!

Sylvanian Stories: The Macavity’s Big Surprise Part 1

Kittymama’s Note: This is what happens when you get injured and you have way too much time on your hands. Heehee.

Featuring  The Macavity Family: Papa Alonzo, Mama Cassandra, Brother Rumpus and Sister Asparagus, with the special participation of Cousin Charlotte Merryweather

Set in Oakwood Manor, Kittymama’s Sylvanian Village

 

The house was finally done. The Macavity Family moved into their new home after months of hard work and long waiting.

But the move proved hard and tiring for Mama and the stress was finally showing. Big with child, Mama could hardly move anymore. It simply hurt too much. *ouch*

Mama went to check the baby’s nursery for a final look-see but found her eyes getting heavy. She sat down for a short nap, still worried about all the housework that needed to be done.  

It was daughter Asparagus’ idea (bless her kind heart) to rally behind Mama. With cousin Charlotte, she took it upon herself to prepare the house for the baby’s coming, starting with the messy room she shared with her brother.

Once they were done with cleaning, Asparagus and Charlotte whipped up a nice meal in the kitchen.

Helping proved to be so contagious that even brother Rumpus pitched in by setting the table with milk, bread, and fresh fruits (all the while pretending that he was a caped superhero, of course).

And Papa, fearing Mama’s delivery time will come sooner than the Doctor expected (the Macavities have a history of short gestations and premature labor), quickly packed an overnight bag for their hospital stay. One less thing for Mama to worry about.

True enough, the baby decided that 58 days in Mama’s tummy was enough for him or her (cats normally have a gestation period of 63-65 days). He/she could not wait to get out into the world. Papa immediately called Dr. Murdoch at the Sylvanian Hospital.

To be continued… Part 2 of The Macavity’s Big Surprise: Hello, Kitty!