I guess I should have put this post with our Saying Goodbye post....this one is about Petey. He was number 2 guinea pig. Emma picked him out at Petsmart one Saturday afternoon to join Pickles in the guinea pig homemade cage. I was against having guinea pigs from the beginning-mainly because I didn't know a thing about them. I re- thought my decision and suggested to Emma that she do research about them, answer some questions I have and we would re-visit the possibility. Boy, she did her job! Pages of information-how to feed, with what, how to make a cage, etc. The week before Emma's 11th birthday, we surprised her and took her to Petsmart and purchased Pickles for her. She had the cage, had spent some of her own money and now it was time for her reward-Pickles!   Pickles was the first purchase-he was the cutest out of the options. I was drawn to him because his one ear has pinkish skin with no fur on it-so cute! Luckily Emma saw him as the cutest too.
A week or 2 later, we decided to get Pickles a friend-Petey would be his name. Smaller than Pickles, cute with brown on him. They seemed to get along well except Pickles was a bit of a bully at times. Nothing horrible but would definitely show Petey who was boss.
Mid week we did notice that Petey wasn't as active as Pickles. Nothing too different-but definitely sleeping more. Then his breathing became weird-but not knowing much about Guinea Pigs we assumed he was sneezy or had a cold. Saturday after getting Petey, June 2, 2012 he passed away. Emma had been out with the Roberts all day, came home, up to check on them-the scream-I knew. Thankfully, Matt was here to assist. It was not easy on anyone. Emma chose a box from the basement-Erin Condren (the calendar's I get) which are decorate nicely to begin with. It said Celebrate Life on it. Emma further decorated it-Matt dug the hole in the backyard-its pretty back there because we have seeded the area with Wildflower seed-so many unique pretty flowers.
I have to believe in my heart that Petey was sick from day 1. It happened too quick for it to be anything else. Pickles knew. He was laying by his side when we found Petey.
Death is never ever easy. Especially, as a child its difficult to understand that death really is a part of life. Lu couldn't come outside to say goodbye. Too upset. Its hard as a Mom to watch your children hurting. Wish I could take all of that away. Unfortunately, its part of living and growing.

petey

pickles

new beginnings

Hard to believe we are here-another school year. First couple of days were easy, fun and exciting. Luckily only a 3 day week. Yesterday began the reality of it all-6th grade is going to be a challenge to say the least. Lots of tears last night and this am--lots of mouthy attitude and lots of frustration. Emma you have 2 of the very best teachers I know. Amy Arnold is your homeroom teacher-I have encourage you to discuss with her your feelings--overwhelmed, in need of slowing down-we'll see what happens. Lisa Wolfer is your other teacher. Lu had her for Kindergarten-she is trained for 6th grade and that's where she belongs. 
Lu you have Mrs. Finkbeiner-one of my favorite teachers. She is calm, relaxed and has been teaching for 27 years. So far so good in her classroom. You look so old though-grown many inches. 
I need to start praying for us! Without Daddy here for balance, we need to pull together and get through the next few years of hormones, heavy workload and life! 
I miss you at school and know SUV is the right place for you both. Its a wonderful environment that will give you the tools you need to succeed in life. After all-our job is to raise you for life beyond our nest here. 
I love both of you very much!! 
Mommy