Meet our New Friends

Last month we found out one of the families in our small community was relocating and had some critters that needed a new home.  As it turns out, we are now the third home for these critters and the kids know that we will have to find a new home for them when it is our turn to move.  

We had a nice but busy Saturday.  The pets were a surprise for the kids so they had NO idea what was going on when our friend showed up with all the equipment and fish.  Their faces were so cute when they realized the pets were coming to live.  

Clara has declared this guy, the gecko, Stripe.  He eats live crickets.  Were were told about the pet store in town to find them and are planning a little excursion there as they have all sorts of odd creatures.  Right now he is in the "classroom".  I think he will stay, but Clara is seriously lobbying for him to be relocated to her room.

There are two fish and a bottom feeder.  They must find a new location in our house.  We were not expecting such a large tank so in a rush just placed them here.  Clearly, there is a clarity issue at this time.  The water is clean, but apparently we should have rinsed the rocks before adding the water.  Charlie came in after we had started and said he would take care of it, so I will not stand in his way.  This picture was taken first thing this morning (they were delivered yesterday afternoon) and it is much clearer than it was yesterday.  We will be moving them into the classroom, but I will have to do some reorganizing first.  Clara has named them: Goldy, Spotty, and Leopard.  

While Charlie and I exercised yesterday, I set the kids up with some watercolors.  Clara did a tribute to Stripe.  To be quite honest, both kids do really well with the watercolors.  I should dedicate a post to some of their recent work.  She did a monster last night that was really cool, and a Harry Potter painting.  I was lousy with watercolor as a kid and am surprised with their talent.

Another little bonus was the surprise package by "Dupuy" sent from Iwakuni.  He very kindly helped us when we had to fly out before the movers could do our packout.  The movers refused to pack some items and he sent them to us.  Of those items were Clara's Girl Gourmet cake mixes, pictured below.  There was also some stoneware and a Pampered Chef serving dish of which I am very grateful to have back in my possession!