Benjamin's activities

Ben got some military cards from Gaffa.

He was separating them out into different groups.

It was fun to see his excitement.

For dinner we had won tons, egg rolls and catfish and crappie.

Ben battered and fried the fish all by himself.

It was really good!

Latest additions to the fish tank

Like all great newbies to fish tanks, we have had our share of hic-ups. Twice the tank turned green so we had to empty it out and start over again, which stressed some of our fish out. During the green out (I was using chemicals in homes it would clear up) two fish died and I didn't find them until I was cleaning it out so they were in pretty bad shape. (The two dalmatian mollies). With the stress of new water and so many fish, the silver and orange cremecicle mollies also died. Eventually the Mickey Mouse platty also died. Our fish tank was looking rather empty. The last two to die off were my two little neons. Oh bother. So we went back to the store to get more fish.

Marissa picked two of these - but I'm not sure what they are called.

(They ended up getting missed and were not listed on the recipt,

so they were free.)

Kemiah picked a sunburst platty.

Domonique picked a plecostomus.

It was only $1.00 so I let her get it.

We got a blue female guppy to replace Tia,

who died when I tried to isolate her in a different tank,

because I thought she was pregnant.

 I guess the water change was too much for her.

Harmonie picked a zebra dano.

Ben picked out two red fin tetras (I think that's what they are called).

They dart around like the neon and lamp eye tetras, so they are fun to watch.

Both of Marissa's new fish.

You can see Nemo, Camdilyn's original fish still with us,

and Jack, Emily's original male guppy!

Kevin's algae eater, which replaced his two plecostomus.

Not new this time but not original.

Fish finale

Uncle Gary took time to show Ben how to clean the fish, get the meat and to do it carefully.

After dinner, he took time to teach Ben how to bread it and fry it! And then we all tasted a bit of it. Ben really liked it and had a wonderful time. It was some good fish!

Thank you, Gary!

A few fun random shots

We all love painting!

Harmonie enjoyed painting her new piggy bank.

Marissa liked helping.

We found eggs!

We don't know who laid them.

This should be interesting!

Teaching Uncle Chris the game of Civilization.

Doing the loom band thing!

Sound proud!

Last day crunch to get things done.

Chris helped Kevin put the lettering on his sign

for the office.

It looks great!

Not sure why I don't have a finished picture.

I really thought I took one.

More fish fun!

 Naomi is getting so big - and loves her thumbs!

We added more fish!

Meet Tia, the female guppy.

Chris and Fredrick, lampeye tetras

to keep Fiona company.

Kevin picked out some ground plants.

Chris picked a bungalow.

It has been so fun to have the fish tank. We love to watch them swim around.

Last additions.

This time it was my turn to pick the fish for the tank. I have always loved the Neon Tetras. My dad had a 55 gallon tank (I think) when I was growing up, and he had a group of Neons, along with several other varieties, but I like the schooling of the Neons. So we bought four of the cute little fish. I named them the Quad Squad.

I also talked Kevin into getting another catfish,

to keep our solo one company.

It seemed lonely and I hoped a friend would help.

Sweety (on the left) met Tweety and they are great friends,

and both seem very active.

Newest fishy additions!

Tweety, Naomi's catfish 

(to eat all the stuff on the bottom)

Creamsicle, Marissa's cremecicle lyretail molly

Nemo, Camdilyn's guppy

(not sure exactly the specific name)

Plecky, Dad's rubber lip plecostomus

7 fish all in one picture!

We are now up to 10 fish and it is way fun to watch them swim around. Now we just need to get a schedule of cleaning and up keep so they can be healthy and clean!

Newest additions

We went swimming again at the Y and had a great time!

Then we made a trip to Pet Smart for some more fish and stuff.

Kemiah added the palm trees on the far left.

Camdilyn added the orange plant in the middle.

Harmonie added the purple plant. 

Meet Eric, Ben's Micky Mouse Platy.

Jack, Emily's turquoise male guppy.

Fiona, Xiomara's lampeye tetra.

Day after Christmas!

With our family membership to the YMCA, we decided to go swimming! The kids were so excited! I dropped the baby off at the child care place (a little scary for me) and then joined them in the pool. Ben and Marissa were able to pass the deep pool test (tread water for 1 minute and then swim the length of the pool). We all spent most of our time playing in the shallow pool. The little girls had to much fun. I am sure everyone will improve in their swimming abilities as we utilize this wonderful opportunity! 

After swimming, we went to the north end of town to visit Pet Smart. Three people picked out fish and four people picked out a prop for the tank. It looks much better with stuff in it.

Marissa picked out the columns. Emily picked out the plan. Xiomara picked out the clam shell with jewels. Ben picked out the ship wreck.

Say hello to Midwhite, Domonique's dalmatian molly.

Along with Silver, Kemiah's silver molly, and

Midnight, Harmonie's dalmatian molly.

Naomi is just cute as anything and growing really well!

We all love her and she is so sweet and happy!