A Lesson

Riley is a horrible eater.  She asks for food only to tell me that she's no longer hungry and we end up throwing it away which kills me!  Working in the food industry I hear astounding statistics about the number of kids who are hungry in our country nearly everyday.  15.9 million children under the age of 18 live in households that are unable to provide nutritious meals, statistics that are just heartbreaking.  We're also trying to teach Riley that Marc and I go to work each day so that she has food on her table, that it just doesn't appear there and that we work hard every day so that she has all that she needs and then some.  So when she asks for food and we have to throw it away it makes me mad beyond belief.  To counter this I grabbed a jar and  told Riley when she wastes food she needs to pay me for it, we put her money in a jar and then when we fill it up, we will donate it to a charity that helps fight childhood hunger, such as No Kid Hungry or Child Hunger Ends Here.  I know, sounds a little harsh, but it seems to be working (and Ri gets allowance for doing chores, keeping her room clean, making her bed so it hits her right in the pocket!).  Riley is starting to only ask for what she's going to eat, we're throwing away less food and collecting for a good cause while teaching her there are many children (probably that she will go to school with next year) that have it a lot harder than she does.

Excuse the Reese's next to our collection jar - it was on clearance at Target and I couldn't resist.  Kind of kills my message but I get to have a guilty pleasure. :)

RIP Airplane

Today we say good-bye to our friend Airplane Part Deux

I came home from work early today to work at home.  For some reason I felt the need to go into Riley's room where I noticed Airplane at the bottom of his bowl laying on his side.  I knew the minute I saw him he was gone.  Now comes to hard part of trying to figure out how to tell her that her first pet and "friend" Airplane is gone.  :(  Sometimes being a parent is no fun!!!

Now I was originally opposed to getting him, I personally don't like fish, I hate cleaning there bowls, they are boring and they die quickly but I have to admit, I am pretty darn sad right now.  I did grow to like him but I am really sad that I have to tell Riley.  I hope she takes it ok.

We had a good 18 months with him and she's been talking a lot about Homer so hopefully I can spin it that he's in Pet Heaven with Homer. 

We'll have a proper toilet funeral for him once Marc gets home. 

Rest in Peace Airplane!  We'll miss you!