sweet dixie.

Dixie has become a fixture in Evann's world. All of them actually. But Evann has really forced herself onto this little creature. Dixie has become Evann's shadow--against her will I assume. We have ditched the glove and have resorted to just picking her up and having her tag along wherever the children go. She has only biten twice more and it was days apart so I think we might be ridding her of that habit. (Yeah!)

I think yesterday she was in her cage for only a handful of hours. Twice I saw that she was taken outside to roam the ... well, I can't speculate why she was taken outside. At any rate, she's been places. Not as many places as Evann would like ...

We had to go on some quick journey and I tell Evann put Dixie away, we have to go. I walk away and then sneak back to see what she does and as suspected she tries to hide Dixie in her purse ... cause Dixie wants to go too. No ma'am. There will be no loose rodents in my truck. She grabs her ball and starts to walk out the door. What are you doing dear? I'm going to put Dixie in her ball so she won't be out. Then she can go with us. Negative smarty pants. Put her in her cage. Today she tried to tuck her in her pants pocket. Silly girl. Get her out of there and put her in the cage. Oh, mom!

I think at times it will be hard for her to let go when the Schroeders come home (IF they come home) but then change my mind as she never refers to it as hers or that she wants it. I am holding on to that as I do not want to spring for one of these ... or maybe I do ... I hate commitments. No. Definitely, no pets ... right now ...

love 'em.

I am a fan of food. I realize this is not a shock to y'all but follow me anyway...

I am a real fan of artichokes. An obsessed fan. I don't breathe between bites (but manage to savor every morsel) and I cook a few at a time so I can have enough. They are, hands down, the greatest creation in food. When I was young my mom would have them for us often. My dear, sweet father would give up his so I could have it. I always thought my dad didn't like them and that it wasn't much of a sacrifice but recently (and I mean Christmas 2008) I learned that my dad really does like artichokes. Hm. In all these years it never crossed my mind that he was being a father--making a sacrifice so his child could find joy in her butter soaked heart. (Which I see now that line actually has 2 meanings. Go figure!) I realize this was a simple gesture but it made my day. 2 artichokes! How lucky was I??

As a newly married adult I took my husband to visit my sister Erin in Sacramento. We did as we always do when my family gets together--WE ATE! She bought 6 artichokes, I believe, and we cooked them all! Mind you this is 6 artichokes for 4 adults. Naturally, Erin & I would have to eat 2 of them. Well, Jake took one look and turned his nose up. He eventually tried a bite but vowed it would be his last. What's wrong with him??

We didn't skip a beat. We piled Jake's onto our community plate and our bowl (yes, a bowl) of melted butter and proceeded to sit on the floor of her living room bent over the communal plate and butter and devoured the treats in a matter of minutes. We had melted butter dripping down our arms and mouths. It was soooo good. I looked up at one point to see Jake staring the stare that only he can pull off. He was truly disgusted with the amount of butter I was drinking. C'mon, you've seen his look. His mouth is slightly open revealing dried out teeth with a look of astonishment. He has never been the same since that day. At least when it comes to eating these tasty morsels. He would prefer his kids not ingest that much butter but what can I say--they love 'em too.

So the real point of my story is this. My kids love artichokes too. I have been buying one for each of them and 2 for me. (It's a habit and I do not like change.) We can be found huddled over a communal plate and bowl of butter eating faster than at any other time. We love 'em. Tonight, for the first time, I found myself giving up my artichokes to my kids. We were eating along and I could see they were nearing the end of their chokes. For a moment I hesitated--"what if they are going to try to eat mine?? No way, these are mine." But I quickly handed bite after bite to Ruben and Isaac. Throwing a few by way of Evann and Jacob. They were happy and I was actually happy to share with them. I do love 'em -- my kids, I mean. I must to give up something so scrumptious. It left me with a smile. I do love my kids.

hamster sitting.

The Schroeders have left for an extended vacation in California today. They packed their little--let's be honest--good sized family in their mini van and headed west. In their wake was left their cute little hamster, Dixie, whom we agreed to keep safe. The operative word is safe.

The kids were so excited to have this creature in their grasps. Although every single one of them was scared to death that she would bite through her metal cage and take a chunk out of them. Jacob carefully held her cage while we drove home; at one point he asked if she could bite him if he held the cage close to his body. "Honey, Dixie will only bite what you stick IN the cage." He is relived and they all loosen up.

We get home and almost immediately put her in her rolling ball thang and we watch her for a long time. Ruben wakes and sees a ball and goes for it. Gives it a little shake and drops it when he realizes something is moving inside. He is so curious and brave--he goes for it again and makes a move like he is going to hurl it across the room. I take Dixie and her ball from him and scold him for something he can't possibly understand but he gets it. He really doesn't want mommy to make that horrific noise again.

At this point each child wants to hold Dixie's ball with her inside so when they disobey direct orders to leave her alone, she gets put back in her cage and runs undisturbed on her wheel. Happily I might add.

I begin making dinner and I hear tears. Oh what is it now? Evann has blood on her finger...uh huh. You were messing with Dixie weren't you? Yes! And she bit me REALLY HARD!! I suppose you have learned your lesson then? Yes.

I thought so. But no. Tonight at about 11 pm she snuck out of bed and found her cage. She held it and at some point she dropped it. (It's perfectly fixed now, in case you wondered, Katie.) I walk to my room ready for bed and I hear stressful whimpering. Evann?? What are you doing?

She is bent over with Katie's glove on (the one given for handling said hamster who has a tendency to bite) holding this little rodent. I can see and hear her panic. Evann, what are you doing??

I couldn't get her! Why is she out? What did you do? I was holding her cage and it dropped. Oh Evann get in bed. You are not to touch this animal. Through tears she is sorry and is happy to be rid of the rodent. For tonight anyway...

I do promise to keep this rodent safe for my dear nieces and nephews. It will not die on my watch, manhandled by loving children maybe, but not death. Knock on wood. I will replace sweet hamster with perhaps a kinder, non-biting model if the unthinkable happens. ;) Enjoy your trip Schroeders!