Computers and Animals - Because you know they go together...

Kate loves our computer. Its one of those things we spend the whole day telling her to stay away from. But the other evening she was enjoying some time in front of it watching the BYU game with daddy. She wouldn't let him put her down. She just wanted to sit there and cuddle with him and watch the game.

Something about PJ - he spends an unusual amount of his spare time on the computer looking up real estate in the places we could end up living. He really enjoys doing this. And the funny thing is that he's gotten the kids really into it as well. They call me in all the time to check out this house with this swimming pool or that yard or whatever. After all the browsing and window shopping that's been going on I have to admit I'm a little worried about the standards or expectations that people in my household will now have for our next home.

And Brynn has somehow learned about Google. I'm guessing it was school?! Anyway, she was informing me about how she wanted to Google things and I wasn't too thrilled. Up until now they only thing they new they could do on the computer was play innocent Mickey or Princess games or do their Lexia school work. So I made an impromptu rule: You are only allowed to Google animals. I don't know. It just seemed like the only safe idea at the time. And so far so good. Pretty sure she's "googled" every animal known to man that she can think of and the kids have had fun with it.
Ha! Speaking of animals that reminds me of a funny story...
On Sunday we had to take a little detour on our way to church to deliver dinner to some of our friends. They weren't actually home at the time so as I was unlocking the door (and PJ was standing behind me with the food) we heard a loud, excited dog barking. We both commented on how we forgot they had a dog - and it happened to be a very large and heavy black one. I opened the door, reached my hand in so he could smell me and I petted him and made nice. Then I walked in and turned around to usher PJ in. He muttered something under his breath, shook his head no, and reached out to hand over the food. I knew he didn't like dogs but I didn't realize the extent to which he was obviously not comfortable with them. So I smiled and held the dog back so he could come in and put the food down. He was still very hesitant and lacked some of his confidence, but grumpily came in. When we got back to the car he started spouting off about why anyone would have a dog and what was the point in it... (Nobody take offense. He has issues and doesn't understand the whole animal love and companionship thingy). So the kids asked what was wrong. And I explained that daddy doesn't like dogs and didn't want to go in the house because there was one in there. And Tyler let out the loudest roar of laughter and blurted out "Ha! Ha! Daddy you are a FRAIDY CAT! Ha ha!" And I had to chuckle, it couldn't be helped. So PJ, in all his maturity, turned around and told Tyler he better watch out because they were now going to wrestle it out when they got home.

But Tyler didn't let it go because later that evening we were delivering Christmas treats. Tyler has loved doing this - he wears his santa hat up to the door, raises the treat up high and yells 'Merry Christmas!' when they open the door. Very cute (even when he accidentally drops it). Anyway, he proudly rushed back to the car after one house and announced, "Dad. Its a good thing you didn't come to this door with me. They had a dog AND a cat!" :) I had to chuckle again.
Some people may feel that my kids will be deprived if Preston never comes around to understanding why people have pets, and us consequently never having any. (Although honestly right now I'm not wanting any either). But you need not worry. They don't know they don't have pets. In fact, we already have "Tyler Bunny". One Sunday morning around Thanksgiving Tyler rushed me out into the back yard to show me where he had found his new pet bunny (who apparently lives under our picnic table). And he had taken it upon himself to find a box, lay a towel in it, and fill a bowl with lettuce and carrots and prop it right next to the rabbit.

And Tyler has continued to care for his "Tyler Bunny". And although he kept scaring him away when he decided it was time to pet him, he kept coming back. And the kids have loved it - having a pet bunny in their very own backyard. Although I think he may be gone for the winter now. But see?!... no need to worry. They will be very well-rounded children no matter what.