Living with 18 sock dolls in one apartment was easier than you might imagine. Sure, there were the occasional squabbles or complaints about overcrowding. But overall, it was fun for everyone, largely because we adhered to a simple set of rules.
(Note: click on any photo below for a larger view.)
1) Provide plenty of scheduled entertainment. Sock dolls love to keep busy with games and events, whether in smaller groups or one big crowd.
Friday night Farkle, a popular time to snack and chat
Introvert-friendly activities like tea time were also on the agenda
Countdown to a game of hide-and-seek
2) Enforce a daily nap (or, at the very least, quiet) time. A tired sock doll is a cranky sock doll (and multiplied by 18? = argument central).
Nap time on a sunny Sunday
3) Allow each resident the freedom to explore his or her personal hobby. Sock dolls need to be encouraged in their individual pursuits, particularly in a group setting like this.
Enjoying free time on the futon
Sock dolls loved reading your comments about them on this blog
4) Accept a certain amount of trouble-making. Sock dolls aren’t truly themselves without a bit of prankster-ism.
Definitely up to something sneaky in the shoe closet
You may be wondering why I’m talking about all this in the past tense. Well, April was Adopt-A-Sock-Doll month around these parts. Over the past couple of weeks, most of these little guys were placed in permanent homes – both in Canada and the States – where they will (hopefully) receive more individual love and attention.
A group photo of all 18 members living here in March/April
You see, as much as everyone liked hanging out together, the thing every sock doll truly desires is a home (and human companionship) of his/her own. And, lest you be sad about the parting of these handmade friends, I’ve received word that many are doing quite well! My awesome Aunt Sylvia even sent along these photos to reassure me that Jelly Bean and Mindy are adjusting to life in Eagan just fine.
Roommate Lucky offers a (reluctant) ride to tour the yard
Learning to play violin is a team effort
My sister-in-law Amy also sent along these clever images of Hops, Cupcake Doug and Captain Quackers from Cannon Falls.
Captain Quackers and Cupcake Doug negotiate monthly breadcrumb payments
Hops wishes for another similarly-named beverage
And talented young adult author Juliana Brandt tweeted me this picture of Oyama from Tennessee!
Oyama looks very happy to be in her new home after multiple plane flights
How great is that? I’d love to see how other sock dolls are doing, too! Although you should be warned: as this post shows, taking photos of these little friends can be somewhat very addicting.
