So the stove top works better now. No more flame thrower when it comes on at first, and boiling water on the lowest setting. Still can't use the stove though. My dad said he'd order the missing piece after the holidays and they'd plan another trip out to do a third fix attempt to get the oven into working order. Well, no Christmas cookies this year in the new house, but I'm sure next year we'll have a constant stream of them coming through!
This morning #3 was awarded Student Of The Month. I'm so proud of her!
The kids came home with random gifts from their schools. #1 brought home a bag of fruit, a shirt, and some toiletries. #4 came home with a blanket, a scarf, and a pair of socks. #3 got a new ornament for the tree from her teacher. One of the schools sent home some Christmas gifts for the kids, and a box of food. When I got back home I got another call from a local food company asking if I was home so they could deliver a box of food too.
We got a ham, a chicken, canned vegetables, two frozen pies, a box of Mac & Cheese, some pepper, some chicken wings, a package of dinner rolls, and some turkey stuffing.
I had no idea we'd be so blessed when I filled out the form to ask the school for help with Christmas presents for the kids. There will be a lot of thank you cards going out in the mail soon, and we will be paying it forward when we can.
The current shelved litter is doing a lot better. One of the Charlie marked kits is still thin and isn't getting as full at feeding times as the other three, but is doing better than it was a few days ago. The momma has started to actually nurse the kits, which is progress since she completely abandoned her previous litter (Willy, Wonka, and Wisp). I'm thinking we will have four survivors for the X litter. Names are being considered. Xavier, Xanadu, Xander, Xandra, Xandria, Xylon, Xara... X is a difficult letter to find names for, but four should be manageable.
I got confirmation that Babylon and Wonka will be leaving on Christmas Eve to their new home. They will be a Christmas gift, but the parents and grandparents are fully on board with caring for them. They'll be breeders producing meat bunnies, but they will be pets for their son/grandson. They're getting the "big hutch" prepared in advance of their arrival. I hope it's well stuffed with straw, because Christmas Eve night is supposed to get down to -16 degrees, and -18 Christmas night! Yikes!
I've been cleaning, entertaining guests, fixing stuff, and dealing with kids all day. I'm worn out and ready for bed!