New Family members

I finally got a pet! I can tell you all about it. It all started when we got settled in Ottawa and Mom and Dad had to keep a promise to buy a pet. Then one day the family went out to do errands and go pet shopping. We went to PetSmart and saw and considered skinny pigs, snakes, guinea pigs, fancy mice, frogs, lizards, and fancy rats. We chose fancy rats because we knew the most about them and they were so cute!!! Before we bought them, (we bought two) we looked at the cages. We saw a set that had a flying saucer, a water bottle, a food bowl, some bedding, and some food. The set was $100, but to buy everything separately was $140! We were about to buy them when dad called and said we had to buy shelves at Target if we could. Mom didn't want to carry two fancy rats around, so she saved getting the rats until we took a look at Target and bought the shelves. I really wanted to buy the pets,  so I pestered mom the whole time. It turned out that Target didn't have shelves so we went to the Library and borrowed a book about Fancy rats. Finally we went back to PetSmart! Dad was already there so we showed him the rats. I went straight to the worker and asked for my rats. Grace and I picked one each.  Mine was really hard to catch, so I changed my mind and picked another instead. The cage set, lots of bedding, and the two rats cost $207!!  Aiden wanted to carry the box with my rat in it but I couldn't let him.  When we got home, Dad helped us build and set up the cage. It was much bigger than we expected so our rats will have lots of fun in it. Our rats were too scared to explore it at first though. I named my rat Smart, but Grace still hasn't thought of the right name for hers. I'm so glad to finally have a pet!

Written by Jasmin, added to by Grace, edited by Mom, typed by Grace

Moving

Moving means confusion

Lack of daily rhythm

for at least a month

Relearning how things are done

scrambling to remember

put on the spot

Moving means mess

Packing and unpacking times

Discovering stuff

has quietly multiplied

and there is no longer any room

for it all

Emotions mixed and bottled

Loss and gains taking toll

family relations rubbed raw

with lack of outside relief

Moving means flex or snap

When the moving truck is delayed by a week

and when it comes your kid's bed is not on it

When the "simple" set up drags on into the third week

dimly remembered arrangements when we left

tangling finances, health care, and paperwork

When kids just need snuggle time in the midst of the mess

and one dogs mom's every step for fear of losing her

.... We'll be glad to be done and settled in!