Princess Peppa Guinea Pig

The girls are out of school this week for Spring Break, but have been stuck at the shop with me.

Since I knew I was going to have to work this week, I tried to make the most of their Monday (my day off). We met Mr. Wonderful for lunch and then went to the pet store. Addie has been asking for a pet since before Christmas. I want so much to give her one (even though I have no desire for one at all!). The girls are so sweet and content and almost never ask for anything. It is difficult to avoid giving in to them when they do decide they want something. 

But I must confess, I just don't want a pet because I am too selfish with my time. A dog is just so much work. If we got one, it would have to be a very small one (because both girls are afraid of them) which means it would have to stay indoors. That would mean house training and fur all over the place. Lots of work. I considered fish, but they are a lot of work, too. Cleaning the tank is such a pain. Plus, I don't really think the girls will enjoy a pet that isn't "hands on." I'm not a fan of cats, so that is out completely...the thought of an animal climbing onto my kitchen counters when I'm not home is absolutely repulsive! I had been trying to decide if a bunny would work for us. I used to have one and loved it. He was so sweet. He stayed outside in a cage, but I would take him out to play and feed him carrots and stuff. But after a while, he got so big that I couldn't hold him anymore. His nails were really long, too.

I can't stand the thought of getting an animal, and the girls falling in love with it, and spending tons of time with it, and then ignoring it when it gets bigger. It just doesn't seem right. So what do we do? Well, Addie is actually the one who came up with the best solution. I was in the kitchen getting lunch ready and the girls were watching Bubble Guppies and coloring. Suddenly, Addie says, "Mommy, I would really like to have a guinea pig. See if the store has some guinea pigs. I would like to have a white one." I wish you could have heard how casual she was when she said it. It was as if she were asking for cookies or something. It took a while, but I finally remembered that she had seen a guinea pig on tv. I was shocked at the request and couldn't help but think of "Hamster Man." I hamster-sat for Mr. Wonderful when we were probably about 12 years old. Although I thought Hamster Man was adorable, I was terrified that the little thing was going to bite me. He also escaped from his cage one night and appeared before my sister early one morning, sending her into quite the screaming fit. 

I sent Mr. Wonderful a message about Addie's request and he did some research on guinea pigs. Surprisingly, they are very near the top of the list of most perfect pets. After reading tons of information, we decided that a guinea pig was pretty much exactly what we said we wanted. It met all the requirements....it doesn't get too big, it is gentle and doesn't bite, it loves people and loves to be held, it doesn't have to be house trained, it doesn't jump on you (Addie's major requirement), it doesn't bark and scare off/annoy visitors, and it isn't too expensive to care for. My only hesitation is due to the fact that I know it will stink. But supposedly, if you change their bedding often, it makes a huge difference and helps cut down on any odor. Sure.

So, back to Monday when we went to the pet store. Mr. Wonderful and I know our children well enough to know that we should let them actually see a guinea pig in person before we brought one home. After seeing them in the cages at the store, the girls were ecstatic. But I couldn't find anyone in the store that was willing to help. We left and went to another store, but they didn't have any guinea pigs. I tracked down and unwilling teenager and she grudgingly allowed us to pet a hamster. Avie loved it and begged to take it home. Addie got upset and wouldn't touch it. This was the reaction I was expecting out of her. As we were walking to the car, she said she didn't want a guinea pig at our house anymore. She had tears in her eyes but was trying to be tough and not show how upset she was. The very worst part of it is that I knew she still wanted one. She was just scared. And she was extremely upset at herself for being scared.

I couldn't take it. I thought my heart would burst. I loaded them up and took them right back to the first store. We marched inside and I told the first person I saw (a cashier) that we wanted to hold a guinea pig. Thankfully, the guy who came to assist us was extremely kind and helpful. He picked up the one I had pointed out and held it for me to pet. I must admit that I was a bit nervous. I was still scared that it would bite me! I know. I'm insane. Addie gets it from me. I was aware of that before, though. The sweet guy handed her (the guinea pig) over and showed me how to hold her. I fell in love. She was so sweet! She snuggled against me and sniffed my hands. I couldn't believe my reaction...it is a rodent, after all. Avie loved her even more than the hamster and wanted to hold her right then. I talked Addie into petting her while I held her. She was hesitant at first, giggling nervously. But after really looking closely, she wasn't scared anymore. Before we gave her back, Addie seemed completely comfortable with her.

We didn't take her home with us that day. The guy explained that moving them can cause stress and said that when they are stressed, they can get sick. He suggested that when we get her home we leave her in her cage to get used to the new habitat for a day or two. Well, that isn't likely to happen if the girls know she is there. Mr. Wonderful and I talked about it and decided to pick her up towards the end of the week and keep her in our room for a few days before we tell the girls about her. I'm not sure how well this plan will work out (guinea pigs squeak and squeal), but I really don't want her to get sick. Maybe I can keep the girls busy outside so they won't find her. The girls decided on the name "Princess Peppa Guinea Pig" because of their favorite cartoon. I'll be sure to let you know how things go when Princess Peppa arrives at our house!


This isn't her, but her coloring is similar to this one.


Each morning when the girls wake up, they go straight to the living room and climb onto the couch. Avie complains about how bright it is and Addie complains about how cold it is. I give them a blanket and Addie pulls it up to her neck and snuggles while Avie pulls it over her face and tries to go back to sleep. I fix Addie chocolate milk and Avie juice and turn on the tv. I drag myself through the house trying to accomplish a few things until they decide the are ready for breakfast. I usually sit and eat with them then turn off the tv and start the day.

One day last week we were watching The Backyardigans. I wasn't really paying attention when Addie said, "Mommy, he's cute. I would like one of those." I had no idea what she was talking about, so I asked, "One of what?" Her response? "A donkey. He's so cute. I'd really like to have one." Remember when I said before that she has been asking for a pet since before Christmas? Well, she really wants one. 

Monday morning after we ate breakfast, I was getting ready to go to the pet store. Avie came in my room to show me that she was dressed and ready to go. Of course, she had dug her favorite purple flip flops from last year out of the closet. As I followed her down the hallway, she turned and asked, "Momma, don't you love the sound my flip flops make?" She was as serious as she could be. "Yes, I do," I told her. "I know. Me, too. I just love that sound." She just makes my heart melt.

The girls were on their very best behavior the entire day Monday. They had started to get a little tired by the time we were headed home. They began arguing in the back seat. Addie says, "Mommy, tell Avie that that isn't how you are supposed to say it!" Unsure I wanted to know what they had been talking about, I asked, "Say what?" Avie answered, "Tell Addie that God is bigger than nothing!" I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing, "God is bigger than everything, Avie." Avie's response? "That's what I said, God is bigger than nothing!"

There just aren't enough words to describe how completely and blissfully happy I am. No, life certainly isn't perfect. But I certainly am having a great time living it!