Etch's Secret

Dear Journal,

Today I went to visit Woody and Buzz in Andy’s room to see how Etch is doing. After a roaring match with Rex, who didn’t roar at all but did an ear-piercing Wilhelm Scream, I sat down with Woody on Andy’s bed to discuss why Etch can’t talk.

Woody told me that Etch has autism and is disabled, so he is non verbal, and only uses drawings to communicate. Like for instance during the time he set up the meeting during the day of Andy’s birthday party in the original Toy Story film, he forced Etch to draw a gun held by a cowboy, which meant he had extremely good talent indeed. Another time when Woody was being threatened because he shoved Buzz out the window, Etch drew a noose to express his anger.

Woody then went on to say that Andy knew a friend in school that has autism and doesn’t like loud noises and difficult tasks, but only uses an Etch like him to draw pictures to express himself. Like Etch, Andy’s friend, who is named William, is non verbal and uses drawings, sketches and doodles to communicate.

Then the toys had to get into position and I had to hide because Andy came in and took Etch downstairs, because William was coming over for a playdate. The toys and I waited for what felt like hours, until I hid again, for Andy was going to bed. Quickly I took Woody, Rex, Slinky and Hamm out of the room and told them how Etch progressed with William. Much to my surprise, Woody said that Andy has a pretty good side with kids in his class with autism.

Then I asked, “Are some of the toys in Andy’s room autistic?” to which Woody said, “We’ll never know.”

A Little Tracy Island Comfort

Dear journal,

I am glad to get a well earned rest on Tracy Island in the first week of the Summer holidays after a few hard weeks of homeschooling and fun activities under the guidance of Lady Penelope and Parker. They have delivered my lessons with such confidence, and Lady Penelope has such limitless knowledge of the world around her.

However, now is a time to rest…and relax.

On the first day of the holidays, I visited Tracy Island while Lady Penelope was at a press conference. Alan, Brains, Tin Tin and I spent the whole day playing games, eating snacks and reading stories together, but after lunch, we were pooped out and I decided to rest on the sofa.

I was relaxing on the sofa, surrounded by books, snack wrappers and board games. The warm sun was shining down through the window onto me like a spotlight displaying a lazy sloth in a museum, and there was nothing quite like that feeling of slothing out after a whole day of playing.

However, after a while, I fell off the sofa and landed lazily onto a pile of pillows onto the floor. That was when Tin Tin came in. It was such a hot day and she was wearing only a pair of black leggings and a white, cool vest. Tin Tin giggled in a low, calm manner as she stroked my curls and whispered soft, gentle things to me, which I sighed to in response and pleasure.

Then Alan came in. He was wearing no T shirt or top, just a pair of clean denim jeans. He looked like a model out of an underwear advert when he walked in, and when he sat down on the sofa the sun shone on him, making sweat roll down his soft chest.

Then Brains entered. Today was a gentle, lazy day and Brains lay down on the sofa, sighing softly. He was getting himself adjusted to this environment, and relaxing in the warm sunshine was just the sort of thing he would need. He had Vitamin D pills, that’s the bright side, but sunshine was what he needed to make him less shy.

Jeff Tracy came in and turned on the living room fan to keep us all cool, and before long, we all sighed in unison, then fell asleep peacefully, knowing the hot sticky weather will be tamed with such cool love and someday when it reaches Autumn, I would have more fun than ever.

Libby's Christmas Recipe

Hey journal!

It’s me, Libby! You won’t believe what I got up to this Christmas with my little sister Pibby and her friend Bun Bun! Well, they were wandering through the snow to my house, singing a lively song about Christmas and the many ways you can celebrate it. I love hearing Pibby and Bun Bun sing together, it brings joy to my heart.

When Pibby and Bun Bun came to visit, they suggested we make my famous Christmas mint frosted brownies, but then, when I looked in the fridge, I got a nasty shock: there was no milk! Pibby and Bun Bun offered to go and see Buck and Clover and their cow Almond so they could get some fresh milk, and they made their way to the farm, still singing about the joys of Christmas.

When Pibby and Bun Bun turned up at Buck and Clover’s farm, they were happy to see them. They took them to visit Almond the cow, and taught them and you all about how cows produce milk for our cereals and the cakes we bake. Pibby then used her counting skills to see how many squirts it took to fill the bucket. The answer happened to be 10.

Then, Buck and Clover helped Pibby fill up a pint of milk to take back to my house. There was something about measuring there, but since Bun Bun doesn’t know about measuring, and Pibby knows already, I’ll just call it another story. *Libby giggles*

At last, Pibby and Bun Bun brought the fresh milk back to my house, and we proceeded to make lovely mint frosted brownies together. We sang a song about the process of making a mint frosted brownie, and while it was baking in the oven, and before the second verse about the frosting, we danced a little jig - even Bun Bun got my lazy cat Nibbles to dance even though she was taking a nap.

Once the song was finished, the brownies turned out so delicious! I couldn’t have done it without the help of Pibby, Bun Bun…and neither you. Thank you so much!

Then, Pibby’s friends came over to taste the brownies and help decorate. Buggy, Ally, Terry, Genevieve and Preston. Even Genevieve and Preston agreed the brownies tasted good, and started laughing non stop. This was the best December day ever!

Goodbye!

Don’t forget to come back soon!

Love,

Pibby’s big sister Libby

XXXOOO, and an extra O for good measure

Slum Life

Dear journal,

Life has been awesome in our English slum. Some people would say our slum is run down, torn apart, strewn with feces, trash and rats, but not our’s. It’s warm and cosy and just right for four people. And by us, I meant Brains, Alan, Tin Tin and me. And we live such a cosy and rule free life that for a moment you could say that we are free people.

Every day is great here in this slum. Other people who live in British slums don’t have electricity, hot water or enough food, but we do.

Other times, Tin Tin would cuddle me and hug me and lie on her back, lifting me high up into the air. I would yell out that I’m flying, and Tin Tin would cheer in joyful response, telling me that I’m like a pelican. As a reaction, I would puff out my cheeks, then make a pelican noise, which would make Tin Tin laugh.

I would help Alan cook all the meals to feed all of us four. All the time, we enjoyed a meal of eggs and chips either for lunch or dinner, or for breakfast we would have cornflakes or toast. Sometimes, on days when we were bored, we’d dial the number of the takeaway service and order a pizza for us to share - with drinks! Life doesn’t get any simpler here than that, does it?

When we feel lazy, we like to sit on the sofa in our silent living room and just laze around doing nothing. After a little while, I would tickle Brains’ bare feet, to which he would giggle loudly, and then Alan would tickle Tin Tin, and then we would all tickle each other. Our other source of joy in this house includes the most comfortable, soft, springy bed in the world. It made the most wonderful trampoline, and we would bounce on it together, yelling and screaming in joy, until we fell in a heap on top of one another and laughed.

Then, at bedtime, after a cosy bedtime routine, we’d snuggle altogether in our big-enough-for-four, just right, soft and comfortable bed, and whisper goodnight to each other.

A slum is just right for all of us, and so homely anyone can feel welcome in this beautiful house.

Digging Up The Evidence

Spy Mission Log:

You cannot believe what happened to me today! Digger, Rusty’s older brother, just visited me and my mummy, Sherlock Penelope, to enquire that someone had been beaten to death while admiring paintings in a museum! My god, the things these people in our village do just to get our attention. Lady Penelope went to our favourite hotel, the Chateau Royale, to see the head of my training sessions, Jeff Tracy, who told us that someone by the name of Rocco has been making money by beating people in the audience up during his boxing matches.

Of course, boxing matches are a part of our training here in S.P.Y ‘Quarters. We are taught to be so tough and strong an enemy won’t stand a chance. Our friend Polly Priscole came and asked what she thought of such a violent activity. I thought it GREAT! My mummy? Not so much.

Later, while I was watching mummy apply her makeup, Princess Jasmine arrived and told us about the fate of Toon Disney in the UK. She told us she and the other Disney cartoon characters had to move somewhere nicer because of the channel shutting down, and I drank my glass of milk patiently while I listened to Jasmine talk to mummy about this whole Toon Disney fiasco.

Then, in a matter of circumstances, Jasmine got angry and threw the table over! What a naughty princess, she almost killed me! Then she swore she wouldn’t talk trash about Toon Disney, so Penelope accepted and told her not to screw it all up.

Later that night, Parker drove me and mummy to the train station, where Jasmine was heading. This called for some expert spy skills, so I applied sticky super glue to my hands and began to climb the walls and ceiling like a spider, using my Supersonic Sight Goggles to look out for where she is going. Sherlock Penelope and I followed, and soon we were in a huge bar with a band playing and a boxing ring. As Penelope and I ordered a few martinis, Jasmine came up on the stage, told the band to stop playing their music, and announced to everyone that Disney XD is rubbish! What a negative princess!

Immediately, Penelope told me to leave the room while she reasoned with Jasmine. While I was in the hallway, I discovered pictures of Rocco, star of the Netflix film Fixed, and all the trophies he won because of his nylon and varicose vein-smelling victories. His catchphrase? “Victory is MINE!”

The next morning, mummy and I stopped for coffee and discussed what we’re going to do to stop Jasmine from talking trash about Toon Disney UK. However, Lady Penelope was zoned out and engrossed in a fantasy of frolicking around in a world full of rainbows and unicorns to even noticed Superintendent Plod came in. He sternly reasoned with mummy, telling her he’ll kill Jasmine if she dares turn up in his office again.

So quickly, we took Jasmine’s fancy blue vintage car to the other town, unaware that Superintendent Plod was following us. Then, he took out a gun and shot Jasmine in the arm! Penelope yelled for me to “DO SOMETHING!” so, I quickly got out my shotgun and aimed multiple bullets at Superintendent Plod’s police car, screaming like a MANIAC!

Unfortunately, I can’t tell you any more. Mummy’s calling me for dinner, so I’d best end this entry here. Toodle-oo!