Thanks for the good-night kiss, Sunshine. I love you, too! Mwuah!
Thanks for the Kiss
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Tag Archives: Bearded Dragon
Many Hats
Sunshine is a lizard of many hats, not to mention talents, personality traits, and hobbies. Here, he is helping Amy celebrate her 11th birthday. Happy Birthday Amy!
A “Happy You’re Home” Lick
Amy came to visit her Grandma and Grandpa this week. Sunshine could not come conveniently on the plane, but Amy’s Dad drove him in his cage from Arizona to Utah several days later. When Sunshine saw Amy, he waddled quickly over to Amy and–I kid you not–gave her hand a little lick, a lick normally reserved for catching cockroaches. Though I cannot see emotion in this lizard’s features, without a doubt I saw him express enthusiastic and real affection for his human.
So Good To See You, Sunshine!
I was happy to see Sunshine in person on a short trip to visit Amy’s family. And he seemed happy to see me, too, even if I do say so myself. Sunshine ate shredded kale from my outstretched fingers, and clambered right up to a shoulder perch (above). He’s still plenty spikey to pet, but so calm and gentle–and grown up!
Blue Top Hat
Every Bearded Dragon needs a stove pipe top hat. Don’t you think? And yellow and blue make such a nice and natural color combination. Way to sport it, Sunshine! Should we call Amy a Mad Hatter? No! Let’s try on “Amy the Handy Haberdasher”!
Comfort in Convalescence
Amy has been sick and home from school. A heating pad helped calm and comfort her tummy. And Sunshine was happy to hang out on that heat, adding his comforting presence to her convalescence.
Sick Day with Sunshine
When Amy was sick and had to stay home from school, Sunshine kept her company: a quiet, steady, nonjudgmental, comforting (dare I say, loving?) friend. Sunshine helped her through it.
BFF
Sunshine is two years old already. He and Amy quickly became BFFs: best friends forever. So glad Amy found her Sunshine.
PS. Such cute little toesies!
One of These Things Is Not Like the Other
Let’s make a book on the Waldo model: Where’s Sunshine? Or the Sesame Street jingle: “One of these things is not like the other”! Sunshine fits right in with all of Amy’s cute friends, except that Sunshine is the cutest and best of them all. Such a cute face!
Snuggle Time
There’s nothing Amy likes more than a snuggle with Sunshine. I’m thinking he doesn’t mind too much, either. Sunshine is getting so big, and has beautiful color. Maybe that comes from the roaches hee-hee. And look at those cute little toes.
Running Late for School!
Amy and Sunshine both need their early-morning before-school cuddle time.
Which means Amy is sometimes running late for school!
Sunshine Goes to Swim Team
Amy took Sunshine along to swim team today. She was so proud, and he was a hit with the team!
Breakfast Burrito
Amy brought Sunshine to breakfast this morning. She suddenly laughed, observing, He’s wrapped up like a burrito! But she quickly added that she had brought Sunshine to breakfast, not for breakfast.
A New Sheriff in Town
There’s a new sheriff in town!
Get along little beardies!
All Grown Up
Sunshine is all grown up. Look how little this bearded dragon was as a baby, and how plump and beautiful he is today. Amy has grown tall and beautiful, too!
Then:
Now:
Pretty in Pink
Sunshine is so pretty in pink. All that color! I just know he’s smiling under that thorny exterior.
One Last Snuggle
Amy is all dressed up and ready to go to church.
One last snuggle with Sunshine before leaving.
I Love Soft Things
Dear Amy. I know I am thorny and spiny, but you love me anyway. You make me soft pink things. I love my new pillow and blanket–they are perfect! Thank you! Je t’adore! Love, Sunshine.
An Essay on Reptiles
An Essay on Reptiles
by Amy, age 9
I am going to tell you my opinion about why you should own a reptile. First, some reptiles are smart. Reptiles that are smart could be a bearded dragon, a snake, and a lot of others. Next, there are lots of reptiles you could choose from. You could own a bearded dragon, any type of snake, a frog, or any other type of reptile. Last, reptiles are very cute. All of the reptiles in the whole world are cute. I hope you like my opinion about reptiles. I hope you learned something new, maybe you found a reptile you want, and maybe you even found a reptile you’ve never heard of. I hope you have fun with your reptile if you ever get one.
Just a Girl Who Loves Bearded Dragons!
Amy is “Just a Girl Who Loves Bearded Dragons”!
What’s not to love?!
Hi Sunshine!
Happy New Year, Sunshine!
Sunshine is all wrapped up and snuggly and safely tucked for Amy’s New Year’s Eve celebration, which involves beating pots and pans with wood spoons and ooohing at fireworks and playing games and munching treats. I hope Sunshine doesn’t mind the racket!
Swim Team
Amy is a great swimmer, a veritable dolphin. (When I swim with her, she sticks to me like a friendly octopus!) Amy’s wonderful mom taxis her to and from swim team, where Amy has learned all the standard strokes: crawl, breast stroke, back stroke, and even butterfly. Sunshine is mom’s junior cabbie, perched on her leg, helping her navigate Gilbert’s busy streets. Of course, Amy and Sunshine are always glad to be reunited after swim team.
New Digs
Amy is remodeling Sunshine’s apartment. Actually, this is his short-term rental, as it were, where Sunshine sometimes hangs out during the day while Amy does her homework. Comfy quarters. His main house is a large glass tank with a rope hammock and a heat lamp. No crickets jumping around in there–Sunshine ate them all!
I Love You, Sunshine
Amy loves to love and pamper Sunshine. He is so calm and gentle and patient. And Amy takes such good care of him.
“I love you, Sunshine.”
Helping with Homework
Thank you, Sunshine, for helping me with my homework!
I love you!
(I’m so glad you’re so cute and so smart!)
Baths and Books
Like I have told you before, Sunshine and Amy are inseparable.
Having enjoyed a hot bath, it’s time to chill on the couch in a hair-drying towel and read a book together.
Sunshine, not knowing how to read (yet), is content to listen and gaze off into imagination.
I think he is growing long and stout under all Amy’s pampering!
Beware the Dragon Witch!
Happy Halloween!!
Amy could not, of course, leave Sunshine out of Halloween, so she made him a costume hat. Cute little Sunshine became the dreaded Dragon Witch. Well, with a pink witch’s hat and a pink spider, Sunshine can’t be too scary. Which is good, because Sunshine, although a thorny dragon lizard, is a gentle pleasant little beast. So I think Amy has struck the perfect scary-cute balance, don’t you!
Happy Halloween!
Hammock Time!
Fall evenings in Arizona are still hot! But not too hot to lie in a hammock in the shade. Amy made Sunshine his own little felt hammock, and together the two friends rock away: singing, telling stories, and just thinking about life.
Hey Sunshine, Do You Want to Play Legos?
Legos seem to be a favorite toy for children . . . and bearded dragons. At least that’s how it is for Amy and Sunshine. It’s always a good time to dump out the Lego bin and get to creating something fun, imaginative, and . . . lizardy.
What a View!
Normally scuttling around on the floor or table top, or warming in his rope hammock, Sunshine seemed to enjoyed the view of the world from the top of Amy’s head. A little perspective makes all the difference. But, hold on, Sunshine!
(Amy’s dog Coconut is pleased to have made her first cameo appearance on this blog.)
Leap Frog!
Amy and Sunshine like playing Leap Frog (or is it Leap Lizard). And, when they’re tired of jumping over each other, they take a stroll through the house. Sunshine is keeping a sharp eye out for enemies and obstacles. Good dragon.
Good Night Sunshine
Understand that Sunshine is not soft–he is spiky and prickly! But Amy knows he is also sweet, and has a soft heart and gentle disposition. And nothing beats a warm-hearted friend to snuggle with at bed time. Good night Sunshine. Keep each other safe and snug.
Piano Lessons
Whereas Sunshine may be Amy’s art instructor (see Bearded Dragon Mermaids), Amy is Sunshine’s piano teacher. They make a good pair, don’t you think?!
Bearded Dragon Mermaids
I learned recently that Sunshine is Amy’s occasional art instructor. Today’s lesson was in the animal fantasy genre, with the specific subject of bearded dragon mermaids. They look so friendly and peaceful. Hmm, any resemblance to the instructor? Of course!
Rock-A-Bye Sunshine
Amy helped Sunshine find a comfortable place to rest, on a crescent moon. They seem made for each other. Rock-A-Bye Sunshine, on a moon rise. When Amy blows, the crescent will rock.
Sunshine and Skater
This little skater girl is ready for a ride, pulled by Sunshine in his custom harness. Now, if we could just get Sunshine to move….
Amy shows no end to her creativity when it comes to her bestie Sunshine.
Sunshine in the Morning
Mornings with Sunshine. Amy emerges out of her room in the morning holding Sunshine, wrapped in her special blanket. She keeps Sunshine next to her on the counter as she does her drawing and other quiet morning activities. They are buds and pals forever.
Lizard Labyrinth
Amy knows Sunshine is smarter than he lets on. She made him a magnetic block maze and trained him to navigate through it. Here is Sunshine exiting his lizard’s labyrinth with victorious speed. I wonder what Amy will think of next?
Lizard Bling!
Amy decided her Bearded Dragon could use some spa time. So, she gave Sunshine a manicure (or it is pedicure?), including painted fingernails/toenails. Excellent color choice, Amy. A red-jeweled bracelet provided the final touch.
A Portrait of Sunshine as a Young Dragon
Sunshine began his life of friendship with Amy just seven months ago as a tiny young lizard. Now he is in full adolescence, and still calm, patient, and pleasant. Amy thought a portrait of her friend was in order. Here is her first “peek-a-boo” angle.
And now, Sunshine’s full-color portrait, drawn expertly by Amy. In Portuguese one would say, “Tal e qual,” meaning “Exactly so.” Great work, Amy!
Your Package Has Arrived!
Amy and Sunshine decided to go into the delivery business, called “Delivery Squad.” Watch out UPS! Amy did all the initial heavy lifting by building the business headquarters. And she designed and fabricated a specialty delivery van, backpack, and cap to fit her Bearded Lizard partner. Perhaps unfortunately, Sunshine can deliver packages only from one side of the dining table to the other. But the service is personal!
Ready for business!
A Lizard Ate My Homework!
Amy works hard all year long on her homework, especially that pesky math. And Sunshine is right there with her, no doubt whispering hints to the correct answers. They are a studious pair!
Game Night!
Every Sunday night Amy’s family gathers for a nice family dinner, a spiritual or musical devotional, dessert, and games. Even Sunshine joins in, munching his salad and playing along in a game of Sorry. These special times have been important for Amy’s family bond and strengthen relationships, and could well be replicated in some form by other families. Enjoy especially the desserts and games–only, Sunshine won’t be on your team!
Sunshine’s Summer Hat
With Phoenix Arizona regularly reaching 110F in June, Amy has made sure Sunshine is prepared for the hot sun, with his own straw hat. Of course, the Bearded Dragon lizard is native to the brutally hot Australian desert. But whether Sunshine needs a hat or not, Amy is loyal and caring and looks after Sunshine’s every need.
Not the Zip Line!
Amy loves riding the zip line her dad built in the back yard. What a thrill for to speed through the air. But this is one activity where Sunshine says, Leave me out! The whirring metallic sound of the pulley racing over the cable alarms the lizard, and is the only sound or event that has caused her to gape and frill. And that’s okay. Sunshine doesn’t have to like everything!
Sunshine’s Green Hammock
Amy loves swinging in her hammock under the big shade tree, or in the covered glider chair, with Sunshine in tow. Thinking that Sunshine might like to have her own hammock, Amy sewed her a green cloth hammock. Now they can enjoy hammocking together in the Arizona shade.
Sunshine Is Growing Up Beautifully!
In just six months, Sunshine has grown from a rather drab little pointy creature to a beautifully-hued growing pointy creature. (Keep those crickets coming!) Sunshine is as gentle as ever, and she and Amy remain the best of friends.
Baby Sunshine
Growing Sunshine, with Bracelet
Amy and Sunshine: “Buds and Pards Forever”
Time To Go Camping!
Summertime . . . time to go camping. Grab your tent, sleeping bag, pillow, and straw hat. Amy has made sure Sunshine is ready. Are you? (Don’t forget the crickets!)
High School Graduation!
Thousands of high school graduations happened by pre-recorded broadcast with empty auditoriums. Among the illustrious graduates were Amy’s sister, Afton, and cousin, Hyrum. Unfazed, when Amy couldn’t go to Afton’s cap-and-gown, Amy brought the cap-and-gown to Afton, with a little help from Sunshine. Congratulations graduates of the Class of 2020!
Piano Duets
Amy comes from a musical family, with vocalists, cellists, pianists, and Spotify playlisters. Amy loves taking piano lessons from her big sister, Afton. As you can see, Sunshine attends Amy’s lessons. One might say Amy and Sunshine play duets!
Rabbit Lane 