Doggie Drama Postscript or Our Compromise

So in my last post I detailed the great lengths that Annie went to to try and get a dog for Christmas.  Eric and I held a pretty hard line with a "Beg all you want but the answer is still 'No'" position.  Until... I opened the letter Annie had written to Santa and shared it with Eric.  This is how it went:
Dear Santa,
    All I want for Christmas is one thing.  That thing is an adorable puppy.  If you could get me this I would be the happiest girl in the world.  All we have to do is convince my parents that I AM responsible enough to have one.  I definitely know I am and I hope you to do.  Please just make my parents not so strict.  I really know I am responsible enough and if you could make my parents feel that way I would be SO happy.  PLEASE I will do anything just let me get a puppy for Christmas!!!!!

What surprised me about this letter is that it is evident that Annie still has a strong belief in Santa.  She is 11 1/2 and I thought her faith might be wavering a bit, but this letter leads me to believe otherwise.  Although I did overhear her questioning Finn, "Tell me the truth- is there really a Santa?" recently so she must be catching one some.  But for Eric this letter did more than confirm Annie's staunch belief in Santa, it struck that "daddy's girl" chord pretty hard because soon after reading this letter he started talking about letting the kids have some sort of animal.  I know I have mentioned this before but I will say it again.  Eric puts up a hard exterior at times, but he is just really a big softie inside, especially when it comes to his kids and more especially his girls. 
At first he talked about having chickens so they could be useful.  But the kids weren't too over-excited about that idea.  Then he said something about rabbits and the kids seemed happy about that prospect.  Of course we still had to downplay the idea of really getting bunnies for Christmas because we wanted it to be a surprise.  But about 4 days before Christmas- which is when Eric usually starts his Christmas shopping- Eric called me and told me about some Lionhead bunnies he found for sale on KSL.  His exact words were, "Oh Kari they are the cutest little things."  My first thought was, "Wow!  That was one powerful letter! I've never heard Eric say 'cutest little things' like ever."
So Christmas morning and day my kids were busy with these:

Cloudy and Katie

 

Oreo and Annie

 

They really are cute little things and one of the best things about them is they have to stay outside. They can come in for a few minutes but they get uncomfortable above 45 degrees.  So for now we are keeping them in our shed.  Then come spring we can move them outisde in a hutch in the shade.  they will shed by then so they won't be so uncomfortable in the heat. 
As I have been watching my kids with "Oreo" and "Cloudy", I can see the significance of having a pet as a child.  They have been very cute with them and taking good care of them.  Although this is only the first week and the novelty may wear off soon.  But I overheard Katie tell Annie, "Now when I am in the school and they ask who has a pet, I can FINALLY raise my hand!"
Then on Christmas Day Suzie came inside after being in the shed looking at them and she exclaimed, "Well I made sure the bunnies were alive, that they got some exercise and that they were feed."  I replied, "That is kind of like what I do for you.  I  make sure you stay alive, exercise and eat."  She responds, "Well I never exercise and I didn't have lunch today."  Interpretation: Just in case you were thinking you were a good mother for letting us have a pet, you may want to think again!