Case of the missing hamster

Nicholas named his hamster Gerby...even though he isn't a Gerbil. We have tried other names with him, but this seems to be the one that sticks.
The home and gym of Gerby

It is traditional for the boys to each get birthday money for their birthdays, therefore they get to decide what their birthday presents will be. This year for Nicholas' birthday, his choice was to get a hamster. Friday night...after taking Dylan to mow the lawn at my mom's. Dad and Nicholas traveled to PetSmart to choose a hamster. Nicholas made his selection, purchased some cage supplies, bedding, food and exercise toys for the hamster and they were on their way home. The hamster was desperately trying to get out of the box it was in...so while we waited for the cage to be assembled, we placed him in an empty laundry hamper. The hamster ran in circles over and over. The kids got a kick out of the several poops the hamster managed to have in such a short period of time (10). When the hamster peed and it had a white appearance...Nicholas disgusted said "Ewww! That hamster must be a girl after all, since it is peeing milk!"

It took a while, but eventually we were able to get the hamster into its new home, fed and watered and the kids off to bed (late of course). The next morning as we began to arise at an early hour (due to Nicholas' baptism), we discovered that the hamster was mysteriously missing. Surprisingly, there weren't any openings on the cage...none of the kids had any idea what had happened to the hamster (of course), and yet the hamster was no where to be found.

With places to go and people to see, we needed to leave...with or without the hamster being located. When we arrived back home, we kept the kids outside and the adults came in the house and searched high and low for the hamster, but to no avail. We assumed that the hamster had found its way outside and was gone forever. Much to our surprise, while Jonathan was laying on the couch in the family room...he heard scratching on the garage door. Voila! Gerby has returned to his warm comfy home and Nicholas is happy once again.