These Poor, Sweet Pigs

Yes, they are each eating an end of the same pepper.

These guinea pigs of ours, I just don't know whether to feel sorry for them or feel that they are lucky. They are loved, there is no doubt about that. They are fed well, and often. They get plenty of exercise, plenty of quiet time, and plenty of lap time. They are in good health and well looked after. But the people doing most of the feeding and loving are a five year old girl and a two year old girl. And that means that along with the welcome food and love they have to endure some most likely unwelcome (but maybe not unwelcome - I can't tell for sure) things. Things I'm not sure every guinea pig would put up with. Things like sharing their food with an always hungry two year old. Things like having to wear lettuce caps on their heads, or worse - hair bows! They have to deal with block castles built just for them, filled with stuffed animal castle mates. They have to try out race tracks built by these two girls, and with treats hidden at the other end. They have to dance sometimes, probably against their will. But, on the other hand, these two sweet boys get lots of loving time in laps. They are hand fed all of their favorite foods. I don't know if he'd admit it, but I've seen Fergus watching and appearing to be enjoying Dumbo from Violet's lap more than once (Fergus actually watches the screen for real, he'll sit on top of his house and watch things at night from his cage after the girls have gone to bed. He seems to be particularly fond of Dr. Who). And in the morning when the girls are first up both of the piggies squeak and go crazy asking for food, when they must know by now that they will be cuddled on the laps of the girls in exchange for their early morning treats. Whether they consider themselves lucky or not I can't be sure, but they are without a doubt the most loved and adored guinea pigs that ever were.

This Moment, Friday, March 1, 2013

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Look! Baby Foo-Foo had a Litter!

These pictures are of Baby Foo-Foo nursing her first litter. I believe she had six puppies all together. The girls played this game with so much joy and excitement all day long. It's really fun to see them play together like this. They have played together before, of course, but they more often play side by side but each doing their own thing. And when they do play the same thing it is usually very directed by Penelope with Violet either doing what Pen tells her to, or not - in which case it all goes downhill. But this new thing where they both play happily together and more on the same level is new and quite a delight to behold from behind my knitting needles or book where they think I am otherwise occupied and not even aware of them. But I am actually watching with great interest, it is so funny and cute to see them completely absorbed in the little worlds they create together, having little disagreements and resolving them so they can get back to their game. So wonderful to watch these sisters growing into friends and great playmates. So wonderful to be able to hang back and do my own thing while they do theirs. So wonderful to be able to know and love their two and a half and five and a half selves.

This Moment, Friday, February 22, 2013

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

A Pair of Socks for Her

I recently made a pair of socks as a gift for someone, and Violet was fascinated by them. She watched me knit almost every stitch, was cuddled in my lap for most of the knitting, actually. And she was sad when I gave them to their intended person. So I made her a tiny pair just for her. She was in my lap for most of the knitting of these too. She liked trying them on as I knit, to marvel at the progress. I loved knitting her something special that she had requested, something just for her, this amazing little person that I adore.

Valentine's Day 2013

Making Valentines for friends a few days before Valentine's Day.

A very sleepy in the morning Violet, happy with the chocolate her Daddy left for her.

Penelope wearing the hat I made her for a valentine gift.

Vi didn't want me to take her picture, she's hiding in the background.

Happy Chinese New Year 2013

Making almond cookies.

Dinner

Dessert 

We celebrated Chinese New Year with homemade lo mien and lettuce wraps and almond cookies. We didn't do the crafts and other things I'd planned because the blizzard kind of took over, but we will be learning lots about China in the weeks to come because Penelope chose China as her country for international night with our homeschool group.