Cruise's New Pet Budgie: Cupcake

Cruise has been asking for a pet bird for the past 2 years. In fact, two Christmases ago, he asked for a pet eagle. So naturally we got him two robotic parakeets. About a year ago when he got really into bird watching, he asked for a pet bird again. When we asked what he wanted for his birthday this year, of course he replied with, "a pet bird!". Dave and I played with the idea for awhile, but it wasn't until one evening a couple weeks ago, I went into Cruise's room and found him crying. I sat down next to him to talk and he said he wished he had a "best bud" like all the other kids. I knew he had been feeling alienated and a little down lately; most of the kids in the neighborhood are Jett's age and Cruise only has one friend in the ward. So what was I supposed to do? Not get him a bird? So...I told him I'd get him a bird for his birthday. 

The next day he and Jett made bird furniture.

Dave and I found a little baby budgie (parakeet) on KSL.com classifieds for $40 for both the bird and the cage. She was born on May 27th and we bought her on July 31st; Cruise named her Cupcake. She is a sweet little bird and it took her about a week to get used to our loud, obnoxious house and to bond with Cruise. She stays in Cruise's room and he takes very good care of her. He changes her newspapers, feeds her, changes her water, plays with her (takes her out of her cage 2-3 times a day), cleans up after her, and even sits and reads to her. They're really cute together and despite my apprehension about the whole thing, it has turned out to be so much more positive than I had imagined. For one thing, Cruise keeps his room clean because Cupcake can't come out of her cage until things are picked up. He also is learning a lot about responsibility and patience. He loves having a little friend to talk to and hang out with. I think she was a great gift for him. Jett and Miles love her too and enjoy participating in holding her and being around her. 

Cruise reading "The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher" to Cupcake.

Cupcake likes music, she chirps a lot in the morning and in the late afternoon when she wants to get out of her cage and play. Cruise always obliges and she loves him for it. She will now let everyone hold her and will eat out of Cruise's hand. She never pecks or bites and is the sweetest little bird ever.