Foxie's New Neighbors

One day when Foxie was playing outside in her front yard, she noticed that there was a new family moving in a few houses down. As she played, she found herself also staring at the two children that were with the three adults. She had never seen a family like that before, so she was very curious. There was one adult who seemed very old. Then, the other two adults seemed to be about the same age as her parents. Finally, there were two children about Foxie’s age. All of the family looked the same except the children, who looked nothing like the adults. 

Foxie continued to be curious for the next few days, thinking about it every time she was outside playing and she looked over and saw them playing in their own yard. She wanted to introduce herself because she always loved making new friends, but she was a bit nervous this time. After a couple days, Foxie’s mom decided she wanted to bring the new neighbors a homemade apple pie and asked Foxie if she wanted to come with her to deliver it. Foxie was excited because she wanted to try and befriend the new neighbor’s children. 

As they walked, Foxie’s mom carried the pie and Foxie skipped happily ahead. When she rang the doorbell, one of the adults answered quickly and said, “well, hi there; you sure are a pretty, young fox!”

Foxie smiled as big as she could, gestured to her mother, and replied, “Thank you! This is my mom and we brought you a homemade apple pie!”

Foxie’s mom chuckled as she extended the pie towards the other adult and added, “This is Foxie and I’ve got two others; a teenager named Foxton and a baby named Foxine.”

The adult accepted the pie and responded with sincerity and a smile, “Thank you so much, I can’t wait to dig into this pie! I’m Amaria Whoolwhim, by the way. And we currently have two boys about Foxie’s age who would surely love to play with her sometime!”

“That sounds great! I attend Animal Barn Classrooms during the day and my favorite thing to do after 3pm is play in my front yard. Your children are welcome to play with me any time,” Foxie smiled big, excited about the hopes of making new friends in her neighborhood. She then adds, before the other adult could respond, saying, “I also enjoy going up to the neighborhood park and playing on the swings and slides, do your children enjoy that, too?”

“I’m sure they would love to do that, Foxie!” Then, the adult turned around and said into the house, a bit louder than her normal speaking voice, “Wrenly, Fudgewick, come meet our neighbors.”

Within seconds the two boys were standing at the door with the adult and were waving hello to Foxie. Foxie smiled and waved back. The families talked for a bit and then Foxie and her mom wished them well in their unpacking and began walking home. 

“Mom, I have a question.” 

“Yes, sweetie, what is it?” Foxie’s mom had a feeling about what Foxie was wondering about, but wanted to hear her express it in her own words. 

Foxie, unsure of how to ask, and anxious she would say something wrong, took a moment to respond. When she did, she said, “why did she say she currently has two boys? Does this mean she’s pregnant? And why do Wrenly and Fudgewick not look anything like the adults?”

Foxie’s mother smiled and put one hand on Foxie’s back as they walked. She began to explain, “I think they are foster children, from what I gathered.”

“Foster children? What does that mean?”

“It means that Mr. and Mrs. Woolwhim are taking care of Wrenly and Fudgewick while their biological mommies and daddies get the help that they need in order to be able to care for their children again,” Foxie’s mother was very careful in the way she explained this to Foxie. 

Foxie looked a bit confused, but was trying to wrap her head around this new concept. After a few thinking moments, Foxie asked, “What kind of help do their moms and dads need? Is there anything we can do to help”

“Well, Foxie, I’m not sure,” Foxie’s mom took a deep, careful breath. She continued, “Raising little boys and girls can be a really hard job, and sometimes parents just need a little help. You can help by being nice and friendly to Wrenly and Fudgewick.”

Foxie nodded in agreement as the two arrived back at their house. Foxie felt good knowing she had learned about something new today. Foxie was excited to play outside in the yards of their houses. Foxie hoped she would be able to become good friends with Wrenly and Fudgewick.