Adelaide Goes Twilight On Us

Adelaide has strong feelings about stuffed animals. At a distance, they make her nervous. Bring them closer, and she will cling to the nearest parent and begin shaking her head (No!).  Dare try to touch her with a plush critter and… well, you probably should just trust us and not do that.

All of Adelaide’s stuffed animals are stored in a small toy chest in her room – where she can keep an eye on them. If anyone ever tries to inspire an escape attempt by opening the chest, even just a little, she’ll throw her little body on top of the lid while yelling with her best Conan the Barbarian voice.

Having just read the above two paragraphs, what we say next might surprise you. Meet the newest member of our family: Count Snoopula.

Don't let the fangs fool you. 

Count Snoopula is quite friendly.

On a rainy day in Camas, Washington last week, we took Adelaide to the mall to play on the indoor playground. While browsing through Hallmark post-play time, Adelaide snatched Count Snoopula off the shelf and began to hug him. We were astounded. She pinched his nose, dragged him around by his cape, and failed to cry, scream, or hide behind her father’s legs.

Of course, her grandpa melted like an ice cream sundae in July and bought it for her. Melinda tried to convince Adelaide to trade the vampire dog for a more cuddly version of Snoopy. But, Beagle Scout Snoopy and Organic Cotton Snoopy would not do. We left the store with Adelaide cuddling a blood-sucking monst- errr… iconic childhood character dressed in a Halloween costume.

While Count Snoopula hasn’t become an “attachment” toy for Adelaide, she is very fond of her new friend. Count Snoopula can almost always convince Adelaide to try new foods and finish her dinner when Mom and Dad are shut down.

Dinner has gone to the dogs!

We have great hopes that Count Snoopula will open the door for other soft and fluffy creatures in the Jensen household. Perhaps he can even use his sway over Adelaide to convince her to open up the toy chest and let the other animals roam free range. Maybe… one day….