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I walked into our room and this is what I saw. R had stacked the pillows on the bed, so that she could reach way above our bed. She had blessed us with one of her special art pieces 
. This was so very sweet, yet a little scary. It is VERY high up, and pillows aren’t the most steady things to climb. I have no idea how she managed this, but all the effort it must have taken, brought a tear to my eye.
For those of you who read my post about Isabella Rose (the horny toad, whom we had to set free); you know we were crazy to think of getting the girls fish. Well we did and R’s fish has already passed on (yes there were plenty of tears this time also). The fish now awaits for her return (in the freezer 
) to Wal-mart for a replacement fish. Believe it or not, you really can return anything to Wally World!
My parents got R one of those butterfly habitats for Christmas, at my suggestion. We knew she would enjoy it, because of her love for all living creatures. Plus it would be great as part of our science lessons. However, this morning she was talking about the wonderful pet butterflies she’ll soon have. I then realized that she thought she was going to be able to keep them forever. I had to explain that eventually we will have to set them free 
. I know you must be thinking that I am trying to torture or at least toughen up my “I don’t want to eat an egg because it used to be a baby chick”, precious little girl. Really I have done all this without thinking 
. In the end I do believe it will teach some good lessons (I hope).
R also was quickly attached to a Pink Dolphin that she carried around Toys ‘R Us while we were there. When we had to go and leave it behind, again she cried, “But I love it Mamma!”. So later that night we went back and purchased it as a Christmas present. At least this animal can’t die and doesn’t ever need to be set free 
.
This was her reaction upon be reunited with her beloved friend on Christmas morning:
I foolishly caught a baby horny toad on our camping trip, thinking we could keep it as a pet (a learning experience right?). Well R fell completely in love with Isabella Rose, the name given to our “princess” horny toad. R would stare at her and talk to her for long periods of time (notice that I said “would”). Upon arriving home after our trip we researched how to feed and take care of Isabella. It turns out horny toads are very difficult to keep in captivity. Even the San Diego Zoo lost hundreds their first time around. The recommendations were that you have many years of experience with reptiles before attempting to keep them as pets.
So before we had a dead horny toad on our hands, I told Jeff we had better set Is. free. The hard part came when I had to tell R. She begged to keep him at least until the end of the day with tears streaming down her cheeks. I told her we would, thinking it would be easier anyway with Jeff home. Night fell and I almost forgot about Is’s freedom ceremony. P was quick to remind me, as she has to do with many things(I’m very forgetful
). I told R it was time, she cried, and my heart broke. As she gently held Isabella she told her she loved her and gave her a kiss. She was very cautious as she set Is. down still covering her with her hand afraid S would step on her. We watched Is. scurry into the dark. R tried to follow.
I held my little girl while she cried “But, I love her Mamma.”
. I explained that when we love something or someone we have to do what is best for it/them. This was a hard lesson for my precious 4 year old. It is scary to think that many of the lessons my children will have in life will be much harder than this one. I trust that God will give me the wisdom necessary to help them learn and grow through these, and maybe soften the blows some.
Oh, by the way, we will be buying some gold fish this week, since we are studying fish in school.I hope there isn’t, but probably will be some lessons in mortality coming our way. I pray my animal loving girl can handle this one.
