Have you ever experienced the death of a toy? I'm not talking about a tattered, beloved, stuffed animal . . . I'm talking about the toys that make noise.

The robotic toys, that make noise as they move. The toys that freak the crap out of you when the batteries start to go...and they make ill-timed, scary as hell, involuntary movements...and sounds. When your house is quiet, the kids are asleep, and suddenly you hear a jarring "beep" "beep" from something unknown. Then you have to go rummaging for it, at the bottom of the toy buckets, so you can make it stop.

Last night Woody was making a mockery of me.

The house was quite, Noah is asleep in his room. Suddenly from underneath his door I hear;

"Hoooowwwdyyy pardnerrrrrrrr"

"Howdddddy paaaaaaarrdnerrrr"

"My name's Wooooooooooooooooddddyyyyyyyyyyy"

I immediately knew what was going on. I've experienced this before. But, I never thought it would happen to our Woody. He's been going forever...on the same batteries. It's amazing! I decided to leave it alone last night because I had no idea where he was. And, I didn't want to wake Noah. So, I put it off until this morning...and overnight, I had completely forgotten about Woody all together.

While getting ready for work this morning, I hear;

"Woooood"

"Woood"

"Pardnerrrrrr"

This morning, Woody's normal cheery and completely recognizable voice, sounded like some sort of demon screaming "woooooood." I had to find him. I had to exercise that demon. He was of course at the very bottom of all of Noah's toys. When I finally found him, I was suddenly swamped with memories of Jackson's babyhood. I think Jackson learned some words from Woody. I had a little pang. My heart went flippy. I can't get rid of Woody. We love Woody. Woody is the toy I will keep to show my grandkids.

Pixar people are marketing genius's!!

My blogging brain was so inspired at the thought of being able to write a post titled, "The Death of my Woody." I started to laugh alot!! Inappropriate humor, I know...but it's funny. I will probably change the batteries, if I can figure it out. I had to write this post before I checked it out though, for fear of losing my inspiration...and title.

Viva La Woody!

This is the original Woody doll. Circa 1996ish Purchased at a garage sale, before my oldest son was born. Woody was Jackson's first, and most cherished toy...just like in the movie! I even have his hat...somewhere.

'The Death of my Woody' originally posted on Bliss in Bloom 11/23/07