Autumn Rats

A lack of posts for October doesn't represent an absence of activity, but rather the opposite. We took some fall pictures of the rats before Halloween, but we hadn't gotten to them to post. We let all seven of the girls play on the porch, followed by the boys. Some of them enjoy getting to explore more than others. Louie is by far the most intrepid explorer for all the rats. While quite cautious, she'll nevertheless go anywhere she can. Since she weighs barely anything and is quite strong, she can get places, too. Belle and Maple are the next most outgoing. Emi is the most retiring. Of the boys, Kelso wants to go everywhere and Fez would rather stay. Given their size, they aren't as much of a handful, though.

One of the girls checking out a pumpkin.

Buttercup

Maple on the straw bale.

Louie pausing for a brief second

One of the black girls (Mishka, Belle, or Oreo). Probably Belle.

Likely Belle peaking over the pumpkin.

Emi cautiously exploring the straw bale.

Fez beside the pumpkin. The size difference between the boys and the girls might not be as obvious in the picture, but it is in person.

Fez behind the pumpkin.

Kelso peaking out from behind the bale.

My favorite picture, Kelso posing as he peers over the pumpkin.

The best birthday presents are pets!

Last time we were in Columbus, we celebrated my nephew James' birthday. Since we aren't typically around to celebrate each of my nieces' and nephew's birthday, I usually give them all birthday presents at one time. This year our presents had a theme... RATS! :) Since we had plenty of baby rats to give away, my sister decided to take four of them! One for each kid, plus one for herself! :) The rats were definitely a hit!

Celebrating James!

Silly pose!

I love this picture! They all look so happy! I wish I would have video taped them opening their rat themed presents. They were thrilled! Who knew a jar of cheerios and a toilet paper pyramid would be so exciting!

Here they are with their new pet rats!

The kids made lots of clubhouses for the rats to play in.

Hide out for Rats Only!

So excited to have a rat of her very own!

Rat Parking Garage

Another toy that we let the rats play with was an old Fisher Price Parking Garage. They didn't like it as much as the Sesame Street Clubhouse (probably because there are more places to hide in the clubhouse), but they still enjoyed climbing and investigating their new toy.

A picture of the parking garage.

Exploring all the different levels.

"How do I make this elevator go down?"

You have to stop for a snack while playing.

After they had played for awhile, they all settled down underneath the ramps.

A New Play Place for the Rats

Last week, I (Joy) visited my parents while Ben was out of town for work. My mom had some very old toys that we thought would make great play houses for the rats. Here are some pictures of the rats playing with my old Sesame Street Clubhouse.

A picture of the play area.

One going down the slide.

Peeking out the door.

They loved hiding in this spot.

Looking out the window.

Coming down the shoot. Look out below!

Climbing up the Hand

I am really behind on blogging about the rats. I'll try to post some more posts here in the next few days. The babies are getting so big! They really like interacting with me and love climbing up on my arm and shoulder. Here are some cute pictures of them all crowding onto the tissue box waiting to be picked up.

Lastly, one picture of them crawling up my arm.

Play Time

I've set up a play area for the baby rats in a big cardboard box. They love running around and exploring the toys I put in there for them. Here are some pictures of their play time.

They enjoy climbing on the ladder and hanging out on top of the tissue box.

Whoa! Hold on little buddy!

Love this picture.

A cute close up shot.

I often pick them up when they are on top of the tissue box. They have learned that, so they tend to congregate there.

Pick me, Pick me!

8 of the 12 babies on the box.

We want out!

Now that the baby rats are 3 weeks old, they are really moving. They love to explore and are always jumping at the chance to get out of the cage. It is so cute to see them climbing up on the cage door. It's often very difficult to keep them all in the cage!

Playing in the Tube Pyramid

The rats are very active now, and they love to play. It is fun to make things for them to play in by using cardboard boxes and tubes. They love playing in their tube pyramid that I made out of toilet paper tubes.

I tried to get a picture of all of them facing one way. This was the best I could get.

Sometimes it's very crowded by the tubes.

Close up shot of the crowd.

What a cutie!

Aww... look at that sweet smile!

They can see!

The baby rats' eyes opened right on day 14 (when they are suppose to)! It's been fun to watch them explore more now that they can see!

Day 14 - Their first day to open their eyes!

Day 16 (above and below) - They still like to be in a pile.

Day 18 - A picture of the nest inside the cage. I thought the two on the right were super cute!

Mishka and one of her babies following her around.