Sasha Con -- Report 2

Daddy John:  As well all know, I lost the auction for the Gregor-sized motorcycle (which I shall grumble about a few more days), but I did win the auction for the 2015 Fort Worth, TX Sasha Festival souvenir outfit.

Well, you'd've thought I'd brought home a sack of gold.  Pete Dakota's eyes grew wide as saucers upon seeing it.  He had it on before anyone could utter a single word.

Pete Dakota: Howdy, y'all!

Daddy Steve did not leave the auction empty-handed, either!  He won a pair of Minnesota themed outfits (a popular item).  The overalls' pattern is of repeated Minnesota cities.

Wyatt: Where the heck is Pequot Lakes?

Blake: Go Vikes!

At dinner on the last evening, Stephen Orange was my escort, but Pete Dakota insisted on coming along.  I think he just wanted to show off his new cowboy gear.  A smart move on his part; he received a ton of attention and compliments!  I think it really bolstered the self-esteem of my shy boy.

Daddy Steve's dinner date was Holly Belle, who modeled her new dress. 

Holly Belle made a new friend at dinner, who was modelling the souvenir jacket (made by JoAnn Staricha).

Holly Belle: I can't wait to wear my jacket!  It will keep me warm during the cold Minnesota winter!

Alas, the last day came.  Daddy Steve and I had such a good time and it was hard to say goodbye to the new friends we'd made.  There's always next year!  Rolf and Stephen Orange were on hand to partake in the excitement.  Stephen Orange wore a new shirt, also by Ms. Staricha!

Stephen Orange: Daddy John, look at these vans we won in the Helper Raffle!

As we made our exit, Marti Murphy presented us with a pair of Gregor-sized boxing gloves.  She said she just knew a couple of our boys would get a lot of use out of them!

Uh-oh!  Whose hand is that?

Sasha Con -- Report 1

Daddy John: Well, we've so far survived the 2018 Sasha Festival.  Our first!  Upon arrival the first day, we felt a little overwhelmed and so stood off to the sides in the beginning.  However, a number of other attendees were nice enough to march right over to us and introduce themselves, and that did the trick.  We also made sure to seek out other Sashaphiles we've met through our blog and the Facebook group.

Since it was our first festival, Steve brought Sasha, his first boy with him and I brought mine, Benjamin Roy (BR).  All four of us were so excited to be there that I forgot to take any photos!

I got it together on Day 2.  I brought my second boy, Pete Dakota and Steve had no choice but to bring Emile.  Emile had been insisting the entire time since we registered that he simply must be taken along in order to meet Dr. Pat (Pellerito).

Pete Dakota: I've got your raffle tickets for you, Daddy John!

Emile: Oui!  I shall tell you which items to bid upon.

This year's special display was themed Four Seasons of Sasha and there was a chance for photo ops once the display dolls left to get some dinner.  Pete jumped right in and even the normally reserved Emile joined in.

Pete Dakota: How come we never get to go to the lake?

Emile: I must pick out ze best citrouille for zis year's Jacques-O'Lantern.

Emile: Zut alors!  Eet ees très froid!

Pete: And it's cold, too.  Daddy John!  It's almost time for the auction!

Indeed, it was time for the auction.  I had my eye on a motorcycle that was up for bid 'cause I knew BR would just love it.  He gets so little opportunity to wear his leather jacket...

Drat.  Outbid.  I hope BR isn't too disappointed.

However, I did win my second choice item--an outfit from the 2015 Sasha Festival.  Pete Dakota has promised to model it at the dinner tonight, but he also wanted to give a little preview...

Pete: See y'all at the chuckwagon, pardners!  Strap on them feedbags, y'hear?

Summer Fashion Review

Daddy Steve:  The great changeover at Gregoropolis is complete.  Just in time for the official start of the season, all of the boys are now in summer clothes (the girls are another story - they're constantly changing outfits).  Of course, not everyone can wear something brand new, but it is important that they got outfits that are 'new to them' (unless it's not - more on that later).  It can be a rather complex operation, worthy of one of Charles's spreadsheets.

Some highlights---

Both Ravi and Patrick are pleased with their outfits.  Ravi thinks that his summer colors are very evocative of India, while Patrick likes the New England seaside vibe and cool linen looks of both his shirt and shorts.

Ravi: I love these colors!

Patrick: I'm ready for the clambake!

Miguel and Sasha are wearing the complimentary outfits that Ravi and Patrick had on last summer.

Miguel: We like to coordinate.

Sasha: But not dress exactly the same--so people can tell us apart!

Tyler and Charles are less thrilled with their matchy-matchy look, even though Daddy Steve thinks it's adorable.

Charles: It's okay, I guess.

Tyler: I think it's dorky.

Oh, well.  Can't win 'em all.

We continued the Spider-Man theme for Frank, while Mikko got a crisp nautical look.  Although, I don't know how practical those white shorts will be for him...

Frank: My 'Spidey-sense' is tingling!

Mikko: If my shorts get too dirty, I'll just turn them inside out.

Kaveh loves trains and has been wearing his train shirt for several seasons.  This year he turned it over to John Martin in favor of a shirt with a more general transportation theme.

Kaveh: It still has trains, so that's okay.

John Martin: Toot toot!

I got Paul's rabbit print shirt for Easter, but it's a delightful summer look.  Holly Belle thinks that she and Paul make a particularly striking couple.

Holly Belle: We could be on the cover of 'Doll Vogue.'

Paul: Or GQ (Gregor Quarterly).

Of course, some of the boys stick with the tried-and-true, for any number of reasons.

Blake: I like purple.

Robin: I like music.

Rolf: I do not like change.

We did have one fashion near disaster.  Somehow, Emile ended up with the same ensemble he wore last summer.  Admittedly, he put it on late in the season, but that made no difference to him.

Emile: Wear last year's fashion?  Très gauche!

A quick shirt swap with Luke solved the problem.

Emile: Oui, oui, that ees better.  I do 'ave a reputation to uphold.

Luke: You're funny.

Something's Up...

Daddy John:  My three boys are generally well-behaved.

L to R: BR, Pete Dakota, and Stephen Orange

But, like all boys of a certain age, they sometimes need reminders to finish their chores.  Several reminders, in fact.

However, I noticed this week's chores were done without me having to utter a single word.

Benjamin Roy took Annabelle for her walk...

BR: Don't eat the flowers, Annabelle!

Annabelle: >Boof<

Pete Dakota made his bed...

Pete Dakota: Anthony asked me if I was doing hospital corners. I told him to stop being silly; we live in a house!

...and Stephen Orange not only set the dinner table, he volunteered to make dinner!

Stephen Orange: I'm making chicken hot dish and using Grandma's recipe.

Call me a suspicious daddy, if you must...then it struck me.  I haven't decided on whom I'm bringing along to the 2018 Sasha Festival yet.  I think each one is angling to be my companion!  

Farmer McGregor

Daddy Steve: Here in our garden at Gregoropolis, everything is growing very nicely (including the weeds).  It has inspired Giancarlo to do a bit of gardening himself.

Giancarlo: I would like to grow some fresh herbs like basil and parsley.  I wonder if anyone would like to help me?

Giancarlo: Say Wyatt, do you have a green thumb?

Wyatt: No, but I have a green shirt!

Giancarlo: Close enough, I guess.

Predictably, Emile must add his opinion.

Emile: You should also plant French herbs like ze chervil and tarragon, to make le sauce Béarnaise.

Giancarlo: Go plant yourself.

Giancarlo: Okay, we have seeds here for basil and Italian parsley.

Wyatt: What will use them for?

Giancarlo: Fresh herbs are so much better than dried.  Fresh basil is wonderful on pizza and bruschetta.  Parsley is good in many different things.

Wyatt: Mmmm, I like pizza!

The boys get to work planting.

Giancarlo: We need to till the soil so it's nice and loose.

Giancarlo: The seeds shouldn't be planted too deep; just barely covered with soil.

Wyatt: Like this?

Giancarlo: Yes, exactly.

Giancarlo: Now we keep them watered and wait for the plants to come up.

Wyatt: This is exciting!