Fishicide...

It's true - we were almost the perpetrators of "fishicide".. why?? As you know Morgan has been saving to buy a fish - and as of this week (and a very special report card gift - thank you Auntie Ellen) she was able to buy her fish and all the things she needed...  When we got to the store we picked out the tank and gravel, found the fish food and water treatment solution, and then headed to find the perfect goldfish.

Now I don't know about you but I have always thought goldfish were the easy fish of the flock - they're made for kids to have right? Well - I learned I was quite wrong. Morgan surveyed the gold fish case and then found her favorite fish (in fact our PetCo friend had to chase him around with the net while Morgan tried to talk him in). He was all bagged up, ready to go... and then, our helping friend saw the fish tank in our cart. 

It turns out goldfish are super finicky and you have to have their water prepped for like 4 days - she recommended even adding feeder fish for a couple of days to get the water bacteria levels right AND they have to have a filter - because they are also one of the dirtiest fish. SO, long story short there we were fish in bag, about ready to take our goldfish friend home for a quick death. 

The minute I tried to explain it to Morgan she started bawling - like BIG bawling... she wanted this goldfish so badly, but she also understood she did not want him to die (it was that unfortunate and simple - you take him, he dies). Our fish helper felt very bad - she had not known we did not have the tank set up (she asked if we had one and I said yes, I meant in the cart - she meant at home) - so, she quickly tried to divert Morgan to the beta fish. At first she wanted nothing to do with them then, after a bit she started to gain more interest and finally found one that would suffice - for now.

So now we have a "starter fish" - his name (as of tonight) is beautiful...  And, he will be prepping the tank for goldfish (yet to be named) when he gets to come home next week. The fish helper friend promised to take good care of him for her until she comes back - I really just hope that dang fish is still there - but how many people buy goldfish on an average week really??? Especially now that I know what diva fish they are.   Turns out they are not the "run to the store and replace before your child notices them floating because they only live a few weeks kind of fish" - they are actually just high needs fish that have been misunderstood.

So friends - morale of this story is - not all fins are the same and a little research can save a lot of heartache later (and counter space when you end up with two fish - ha ha).

** the tank pictured above is the one she chose - and what it will look like once a goldfish lives in it. :-)

Sunday with King Arthur

No, no royalty arrived at our house this morning...however some royally good pancakes did!

You see Morgan has a hate hate relationship with vegetables and fruits (although she wanted me to note that applesauce is made of apples and she likes that). Because of that she has also struggled with some crampy stomach issues from time to time - no need to go into details there - but in order to attempt to achieve better digestive health we've been trying to alter her diet slowly.

 

This morning - revised pancakes and where our friend the king comes in.  Typically whole wheat flour takes some work and an alteration of taste / texture buds to get used to, luckily though I found King Arthur White Whole Wheat Flour - it's still whole wheat just lighter in texture and more like the traditional all purpose. 

The results have offered success in that small person actually eats the end product(s) - no "this tastes weird" commentary - I swear she has some super sensed taste buds (then again, maybe all children do since they haven't been dulled by years of eating yet). Anyhow, if you too have been looking for some semi-revised pancakes (with digestive benefits) here is our recipe:

3/4 cup white whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp sugar (honestly I think with the van. soy milk the sugar could be left out - and honey, or other sweetener could be used instead)

1 scoop flax seed powder (sure flax oil would be just fine and this can be left out)

3/4 cup vanilla soy milk (with a couple extra tbsps as needed - reg. milk works too just add a tsp. of vanilla is you sub.)

1 egg

1 1/2 tbsps oil 

If you need a lot the recipe measurements would need to be doubled, but for us this provides enough for breakfast and a few extra to save in the fridge and heat up during the week. 

ps - this is a flour based semi-bread product - so does success here count toward my bread goal... ha ha

What Good Mornings Are Made Of

- Sleeping in until 8:45 a.m.

- A daughter who says "mama, you stay here and watch a show you like, I'll go in the other room"

- Coming out to find a fully dressed child - no less than 10 minutes after she woke up

- then... seeing same dressed child make her own breakfast and offer to make mine...

I wonder the chances of a replay tomorrow morning???             :-)

I Won!!!

Ok - this is a little silly to be this excited - but I never really win anything... So, because I WON SOMETHING today - I am just really bouncy super-excited and had to share. You see, in addition to maintaining a blog I also follow other blogs and every so often people offer give aways - you just leave a comment and if they select your number you win. 

This specific give away is a book - and there were 7 potential winners - AND out of 524 people I was one of the 7!!!  I'm excited to read it and feel a strong obligation to pass it along afterward... I feel it's only right to pass along the giving...

Hope everyone has had a great week and weekend - new post to come soon. Morgan had her investiture ceremony this afternoon - that means she is "officially" a girl scout! Also - she tested for and received her white belt on Thursday - picture to come!

 

What a Lucky Duck...

Since it is the weekend, and especially given the case that Morgan had such a good report card, I decided to take her to the children's museum in Truckee. It's a relatively short drive, but given weather / shortened hours during the summer, etc... we don't make it up there very often. 

We headed up in the morning and spent a little over two hours - she was able to make a mask in their mask workshop, play in the farm, and climb all over the jungle gym. Everything is indoor and "pretend" and she loves it. I even got to have my first real moment of "old" when I had to explain what a rotary phone was and show her how it works (they have one hanging in the play house).  I remember using such a phone, she has barely seen a phone attached to a wall. :-) 

We also got a chance to check out the NW library - one of the only ones that I / she has not been too. I have to say there really is benefit to checking out the different libraries - they all have their own look and layout and they all have different materials / workshops available. We had already been to our normal library location Friday night, but can you ever have too many books?  As with many of our recurring themes I think you can tell by now - we love the library! 

Needless to say I now have a very tired child laying on the floor in her "blanket fort" watching Snow White and fighting desperately not to fall asleep.... 

"Bear" with Us.

This is "Bear".  

Bear is Morgan's very favorite Bear and he travels with us everywhere we go (even hangs out in the front pocket of her backpack during the school day).  Bear is VERY loved!

The Results Are In....

Morgan got her "report card" yesterday (it's actually more of an assessment) - but regardless of name - she is doing so well.....

Ummm.. have I mentioned how proud I am of my daughter.... :-)