We Got A Rabbit

Yes, you heard that right.  We got a rabbit.

My kids have always said they wanted a rabbit.  Well, they also ask for a dog but that's something we cannot afford right now.  As I was looking through the SPCA's website I came across this beautiful, big girl.  She's a Chinchilla Rabbit.  We all saw her pictures and fell in love.  We just had to have her.

Yesterday on September 11th, the 15th anniversary of the biggest terrorist attack on the United States and also Grandparents Day, was when we made the adoption official.  She was a little bigger than we had expected but that's okay.  She's perfect.  I had educated the children on bunny care and that she's not going to be the kind of animal that wants to be snuggled and held.  They were so excited.  She's definitely a strong-willed, stubborn girl but she's adorable and so much fun.

The best part is that she's litter box trained.  I had no idea you could litter train a rabbit.  It's made things a lot easier.  My husband built a cage for her but we let her out as much as possible.  She's still getting used to us and the new surroundings and we're willing to be as patient as possible.

 

 

Today the kids are in school and I opened up the cage door to let her free.  She likes exploring, running, hopping and playing but she's good about going back into her cage when needed.  She's quite entertaining.  A great addition to our family.  She's a bit messy but that's expected.  I'm glad I have someone to entertain me during the day.  

Rabbit care is a lot different than it used to be and that's because they learned so much about what rabbits can do.  When I was little we had rabbits who lived in a hutch outside.  Now it's recommended to keep rabbits indoors.  They can be litter box trained and if properly cared for inside they can live as long as dogs.  It's pretty neat.  I have learned so much about these creatures that I didn't know before.  We are definitely going to enjoy her.  

Maybe in a year or two I can convince my husband to get a dog.  My kids would be so excited for that.  We're pretty happy with this furball. 

A New Locket

I have been a stay-at-home mother for almost nine years and I have loved every minute of it.  There have been times when it's been monotonous and there have been times when I didn't want to play with toys or watch a kid's show on television even though the kids insisted.  There were times when I really had to struggle to remember how grateful I was to be able to stay home and take care of the kids.  We've had financial struggles and had to sacrifice but it's all been worth it.  There have been things I wish I could have done differently but the past is in the past and I can't change it.  The nine years went by in a blink of an eye.  One minute I was holding a newborn baby then it seemed the next minute I had a three year old and a newborn baby and then ... now I have two school aged kids.  It went by too fast.  It's not fair how fast these years went and I'm sure it will only seem much faster from here. 

Because of not working outside of the home my kids have been used to having me here with them.  We haven't had to depend on anyone else caring for them.  It's always been me.  My son eased into the long hours of school pretty easily but my daughter is having problems.  She said she loves kindergarten but the day is too long and she misses me.  In the morning she tries to get out of going to school and the entire morning is a teary one.  She gets on the bus and the tears start up again.  It's hard for me to go through the day unsure of what my kids are doing and how they are.  I managed to get used to it with my son but now I'm doing it all over again with my daughter.  She's so small.  So fragile.  So sweet.  Watching as she climbs up those steps on the school bus is tough to watch.  She's five and that's the age all kids start kindergarten but she's a small five.  She's petite.  I look at her and realize she still needs Mommy but Mommy has to let her go even if neither one of us wants to do so. 

I had an idea to buy her a locket to wear.  My husband bought it.  I put in pictures of us with her and presented it to her this morning.  I told her this was a way for Daddy and I to be with her while she's in school.  It made her emotional but she accepted it.  I hope it helps.  I'm not sure what else to do.  I know her adjustment to school will happen and she's in the middle of her second week but it's frustrating. 

These picture aren't the best but here it is. 

Look at that face and those tear stained eyes.  It breaks my heart to see her this way.  I am praying and asking for God's help because that's all I can do.  She's a smart kid who is totally sweet and outgoing but lately she's been depressed and clingy.  I'm hoping this passes. 

School Blues

Change isn't easy, not for me and certainly not for my daughter.  In the last almost 9 years I've been a stay-at-home mom and my daily life has been dedicated to nothing but these kids.  When my son started school it was difficult; however, I had my daughter with me to keep occupied.  Now that my daughter is in school I have the house to myself during the day.  Part of me enjoys the quiet time and the ability to get things done with no distractions.  The other part of me hates it.  I miss the kids.  They give me purpose and keep me on my feet.  Without them here it's lonely and I feel lost.  It also doesn't help that my daughter has been having a hard time.  This week seems to be worse than last week.  She wakes up whiny and unmotivated.  She tells me she doesn't like school.  I believe she does like school and she does learn while she's there but it's the long day.  I hate that this school district has full day kindergarten.  It's too much for a small child, especially one that's so used to being home.  She misses preschool too.  That was only a few hours per week and she became very comfortable with that environment.  I know that this adjustment to kindergarten is going to take some time and she will get it eventually.  For right now it's tough. 

She gets on the school bus and the tears start flowing.  The teacher tells me she cries throughout the day.  My daughter, who is typically outgoing and happy, is having a real hard time.  It kills me.  I hate seeing her so down.  I don't know what to do.  This really breaks my heart. 

Back To School 2016

School started this week.  My son is in 3rd grade and my daughter is in Kindergarten.  Where does the time go?  It's so hard to believe we have reached this point already.  I know I'm going to say that every year but the time does go by so quickly when you have kids.

My son was excited to get back to school and when he came home after the first day he said he loves third grade.  This year they are doing things differently with the third graders.  He doesn't have just one teacher anymore.  He switches classes just like middle school.  He seems to enjoy it so far but he comes home with a ton of energy and a grouchy attitude.

On the first day my daughter had a two hour orientation where she was able to meet the teacher and take a little ride on the school bus.  She seemed to like it but was also a bit nervous.  She loved preschool and wishes to be back there.  It was a place she was used to with people she was used to and this is an entirely different experiences for her.  A new school, new teacher, new kids.  I know she will love it once she adjusts and gets to know everyone.  She doesn't like getting up early and the long day is something else she will have to learn to adjust to.  In this school district kindergarten is a full-day and I hate it like that.  Seven hours of school is too much for a little one.

I knew this time would come when I had both kids in school but I didn't expect that it would come this fast.  I surprised myself with how I'm handling it though.  I expected to be a wreck.  I thought the tears would flow as soon as the bus pulled away but I was fine.  I did get a little teary but not quite what I thought.  Maybe it hasn't completely set in yet.  Maybe I'm realizing that as much as I hate it these kids are growing up and there's nothing I can do except let them grow up and go.

After a relaxing summer vacation that went by extremely quickly this new schedule is going to take some getting used to for us all.  I'm so proud of my kids. 

Under The Sea Birthday Party Fun

Last Saturday we had a birthday party for my daughter.  It was in our backyard and an "Under the Sea" theme.  I didn't put too much effort into the party but it turned out great and everyone seemed to have fun.  Most importantly, our little girl was excited and loved every minute of it and that's all that matters.  We invited a mix of boys and girls.  I wanted this party to be enjoyable by our son too so his friends came too. 

With an "Under The Sea" party in the summer it only seemed appropriate to set up some type of water activities.  We had our little blow up pool, a slip n slide and a sprinkler.  I was worried that this wouldn't be enough for the kids but they all seemed to have fun with it.  For dinner we served pulled pork, hot dogs, homemade fries, fruit, chips, pretzels and drinks.  There was also an Ariel cake.  And speaking of Ariel what's an "Under the Sea" party without Ariel herself.  This was a surprise for my daughter and she was so happy.  It really made her party extra special. 

This was definitively the best party I have thrown so far.  I still can't believe my baby girl has turned 5.  As she says, "That's one whole hand."

She's my sweetheart.  I was happy to throw this very special party for her.  

My daughter is 5!

My baby just celebrated her 5th birthday.  These last 5 years have gone by in a blink of an eye.  I can remember sitting here typing on this blog and writing about her first birthday.  Now we're onto the 5th.  So crazy. 

She's a tough little girl but she also has a huge heart and is very sensitive.  She loves staying active and enjoys being surrounded by people.  Friends are already so important to her.  She's just an amazing little girl and I'm so blessed to be her mother. 

The weekend was busy with lots of activities.  On Friday we joined some friends at their church camp for the day where the kids got to listen to kids church and then do a craft.  On Saturday my father treated us to see The Phantom Of The Opera at a dinner theater near them.  My kids love The Phantom ever since they saw the movie on television last year.  I hope to be able to afford to take them to see the Broadway version someday but my dad found out there was a show close to him and he wanted to treat us all for her birthday.  Both kids loved it.  They sat and watched the entire thing.  Then my daughter was able to talk to the actress who played Christine.

On Sunday we went to a minor league baseball game.  The kids earned free tickets for reading 800 minutes over the summer.  It's part of a great program hosted by the library.  It was a hot day.  Too hot.  But we made it through and unfortunately our team lost.  My daughter isn't into baseball like my son is. 

Then on our daughter's actual birthday we started the day by opening presents.  She received some Shopkins and Pokemon cards from big brother and we bought her iCarly DVDs, rocks and an Elsa Dress. 

Oh, yes, I said rocks.  She has a rock collection.  These are those nice, shiny, colorful rocks and my husband found a bunch on eBay.  She loves them.  She's also been asking for an Elsa dress.  All of her friends have one.  Now she finally has one too. 

We took a trip to Monkey Joe's, which has lots of blow up slides and bounce houses.  The kids love it there.  Then we took a trip to City Island and rode a train and let the kids go on the carousel.  In the evening we went to Chik-fil-a for dinner, which was her request. 

I cannot believe this sweetheart of mine is 5!  She will be starting kindergarten next week and that has me so emotional.  Her first big step to independence.  I'm not sure if she's excited about it because she misses being in preschool so much.  She will adjust quickly, I know she will.  As for me, I'm not so sure. 

Happy birthday my darling!  I am so proud of you.  Life is what you make it ... make it good!  I will never stop loving you. 

Our Virginia Trip - Pt 2 Arlington National Cemetery.

I seem to be so lost without the kids.  Whenever they are around they become so distracting and getting anything done around the house is nearly impossible.  I always think how much easier it is when they aren't around but then when they aren't home I go out of my mind.  It's too quiet.  I'm not being pulled in one direction from another.  It drives me insane.  After spending one night with my parents they are having a fun filled day with them and will possibly be spending another night.  I look around the house and can name a billion things that need done and I have accomplished a few but then I find myself sitting on the couch doing nothing.  Part of me wants to enjoy the peace and quiet and just sit and catch up on some television but then another part of me knows things around here must get done.  Decisions, decisions.  Well, maybe I can dedicate a few more minutes updating this blog even though I've already posted twice today.  Once the kids are back I don't know when I'll be one here again and there is so much about this summer I want to share. 

I'll continue with our trip to Virginia last weekend.  After spending the night in a hotel and having breakfast at IHOP we drove to Arlington.  Thanks to our brand new GPS (because the old one stopped working) we arrived there on time.  My husband had to carry the large wreath, made by his mother, from the entrance of the cemetery to the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier.  There were a lot of people passing by staring at him and that annoyed me for some reason.  The weather was hot and humid and the walk was long.  Very long.  Too long for a four year old.  Hey, too long for this thirty-seven year old.  But we got there and we made it exactly when we were supposed to. 

Just like last year, it was an amazing experience.  Aside from my son there were two other scouts that came along.  Unfortunately, not everyone was able to attend.  My husband was asked to join in because they wanted four to present the wreath.  It was extremely hot and I could feel the sweat running down my leg.  However, the pride I felt for my son being able to experience this moment made it all worth it.  I also realized that as hot as I was I can't imagine how hot the guards were.  I am so thankful to all the military for their service.  The honor guard at the Tomb are amazing and dedicated people. 

I'm not sure if this is an experience we'll do again.  My son is so lucky to have been able to take part in this, not just once but twice.  Most people do not even get to do this at all.  Also, a big thank you to my mother-in-law for doing such a beautiful job on the wreath. 

When the ceremony was over we found a park nearby to have lunch in and then went home.  I slept most of the way home.  I had too.  I've had issues with anxiety in the last few years and it seems the one thing that causes my anxiety is when I'm in a situation that's out of my control.  Being stuck in traffic is one of those times.  On the way to and from Virginia my anxiety seemed to have gone crazy but I took a few deep breaths, closed my eyes and tried my best to talk myself out of it.  What a pain.  The trip was great and I love Virginia but I'm glad to be home too.