originally developed as a gecko named ‘twerp’ (a play on the nickname ‘terp, for interpreter), “hopkins” the frog was supposed to be leah’s ‘voice’ and appear as a gift from grandma and grandpa. alas, since leah’s speech is developing on her own, hopkins is now very happy being a little green animated sidekick who loves to swim, paint, lift large pieces of fruit and eat unsuspecting flies. he is proudly named after thomas hopkins gallaudet, who in 1817 established the first free american school for the deaf and hearing-impaired.