Visiting the dentist

Going to the dentist has always been fun for me. And so is my new dentist Dr. George at Cobblestone Kids.

It seems far away because it's downtown but it's worth it. When you walk in the door you see a big flat-screen TV on the wall. It's painted in bright colors and the people who work there are really nice.

But I run over to the side that has the Xbox 360. You can play Lego Batman on it while you sit on chairs that look like big white teeth. Among the toys in the room There's a orange toy monster truck and a spot to make a toy burger. There's also puzzles and toys for babies.

When Dr. George's helpers call you in from the waiting room you see a machine with lots of prizes in it.

Then you walk into the room with the exam chair, which is really long. When you wait for Dr. George, there are toy cars in the corner to play with.

Right on top of the exam chair is a TV so that you won't think about the pointy things the doctor and his helpers are putting into your mouth. They explainedy what they were doing in my mouth so I wouldn't be scared. But I was still scared a little bit. They took pictures through my cheeks of my teeth. I just watched Nemo on the screen though so I would stay calm. And before I knew it -- the exam was over.

When you get your teeth cleaned you can pick what flavor is used. They have chocolate, strawberry, raspberry, cherry -- and I picked strawberry.

When they were done, they called my mom into the room and told her everything about my teeth. And I don't have any cavities.

While Dr. George talked to my mom, they gave me a coin so I could get something out of the prize machine. I got a bracelet during my first visit and a bouncy ball the second visit.

Overall, I would recommend Dr. George and Cobblestone Kids at 1352 South Street #C5 Philadelphia, PA 19147.
http://www.cobblestonekids.com/
Give them a call at: 267-909-9551

Happy New Year!

Happy 2013 everyone! It's my first post of the year and my first one in a little bit, so I have a lot to catch up on.

Santa gave me everything I asked for pretty much except for a baby brother or sister. Mommy says to forget that, but I still asked for it. I love my new Barbie house, Ken doll and new doll clothes. The best was the remote-control car. I can't wait for the weather to get better so I can play with it every day outside.

So I had a cool Christmas and got to go back to Virginia with Mommy for a few days. And there were more presents there for me. She took me to work with her on Christmas day. Funny seeing so many people working on a holiday.

Here are some of the photos that me and my Mommy took while we were at USA TODAY. (All of the ones of me, Mommy did. I took the rest.) It's a pretty fun place with a lot of toys around. I even found a couch that had my name on it -- but it was spelled T-O-R-Y. I got to help Mommy edit stuff and take pages to some of the other editors.

I have a lot more to catch everyone up on and a lot more pictures. So see you soon.

Peace out.

One of my favorite places: Chestnut Hill

I like Chestnut Hill because I always see lots of dogs up and down the street and they're always SO cute!

Also, there's a shop that has goodies for dogs and there's usually one dog who's there. He's black and he has curly hair and green eyes. I don't know his name, but he's super cute.

Unidentified dog at the pet goodie store in Chestnut Hill.

Some of the goodies for pets at the store.

There's also O'Doodles, which is a toy store that sells cool and funny things. It has a big train hanging from the ceiling with a teddy bear in it, animal banks, cars, Legos, stuffed animals, jewelry, clothes, bags, craft kits, board games, books and even real frogs in small aquariums. It even has stuff for grown-ups. The last time I went there was for a reading of Swankypants by Diana C. Vickery. There was a tea party with lots of cookies and cupcakes. The book has fairies and cats.

 Swankypants author Diana Vickery reads to me on Nov. 12, 2012 at O'Doodles.

Another time I went to Chestnut Hill my Mommy and I did the "Trail of the Lorax." It was almost like a scavenger hunt for stickers and free stuff. I would tell other people to check it out next year.

I got to hug the Cat in the Hat during "Trail of the Lorax" on Chestnut Hill.

Stay cool.  

My first NABJ convention

I was initially bored with my Friday during the 2011 NABJ convention in Philadelphia because my Mommy was busy with the elections. She did a lot of "shh Torie" in the elections room while I played my DS, but she snuck in a couple of forehead kisses so that I knew she wasn't ignoring me. Everyone was so serious, but I had fun playing with my virtual dogs on my DS, they make me giggle. Everywhere I went that day around the convention center people gave me candy or sweets. It was the coolest! Mommy was so busy that she didn't see everything that I ate.

By the time we got through all the elections results and press meeting, I was confused because I thought Mommy was running. Her and Miss Melanie did all that work and then they don't even win anything -- I don't understand.

But then I was TOO excited about the night's Disney party because I was hoping to meet the real Mickey Mouse. But yet another disappointment, no Mickey, no Minnie, not even Goofy. But I got a cool Disney wrist band that lights up and Mommy gave me hers to give to my cousin-friend Raemeer. The best part was when a very cute guy got me to dance on the floor. Mommy wanted to go, but this was the best part of the WHOLE day.

Thanks NABJ -- on to Nawlins next year!

My 1st day of school -- EVER

I was so excited about the first day of school. Everyone made it so easy for me. I would like to thank God, Grandma, Aunt Carol, Cousin Mar, Mommy, Furbear and Ms. Bradsher. I'll tell you more later this weekend. No luck on putting up the walking-to-school video, hopefully Mommy can figure it out -- someday.

Torie and USAT's Furbear check out the Obama mural inside Torie's new school.

Goodbye my love! This IS the first of MANY firsts.

I'm glad that you had a friend on hand. Furbear has been everywhere and knows everyone, he can give you the scoop.

My virtual pets I

Hi everyone! As many of you know I LOVE animals -- even snakes! But Mommy won't let me have any of my own so whenever I see an animal I just want to hold and hug them for as looooong as possible. And one day I hope to be an animal doctor so I can see them everyday.

One of my friends suggested that I could have virtual pets on my blog and I thought that's a WONDERFUL idea. And Miss Jacqui sent me pictures of her beautiful cats and her dog. So it's like virtual pet adoption -- see!

Introducing:
Murray, a golden brown cat. He's so cute.
Addy, who is black and white. Her eyes are SOOO beautiful.
Sirius the dog, who has golden eyes, looks oh-so-huggable.
I hope that you enjoy my virtual pets and if you want me to adopt your animals just let me know. Have fun!

COMING THIS WEEK: We have a special cat celebrating his 15th birthday.

Check out Addy just chillaxin at home. I wish I was next to her.

Check out Sirius with his friendly shining eyes and beautiful hair.

Handsome Murray, lounging on the couch. He looks like America's Next Top Cat Model.

Overheard by Mommy I

Torie was saying her bedtime prayers, so I quietly peeped her from the hall and she says:
God bless George (her stuffed animal)
And God bless my friends (she starts to get under the covers & sees me spying on her & restarts)
God bless my family and ... (pause) God bless America (very triumphantly, like she couldn't possibly have missed anyone in that attempt).

I love you Torie & am just glad that you pray at night.