Our New Family Members

3 fish and a new bookcase, that is. Since we got back from Michigan, it was finally time to break in the aquarium. Off the Sotos went to find our new family members. Ellison fell in love with some bigger fish (okay, they were small fish, but big for the tiny aquarium we have), and it took a great deal of coaxing to have her finally help pick out appropriate sized ones. Their names change on a minute-by-minute basis, but most consistently we have: Snow White, Aurora, Belle, and Cinderella (or Jasmine, depending on the mood). On other days, the fish are named: Dave (after Papa), Alice (after Grandma), Jonathan, Christina, and Mookie (yes, that makes 5 names, and yes, we only have 4 fish).

The germ factor made me cringe, but I thought it was so sweet that she was kissing her new fishies when she was welcoming them home.

The one Betta fish, Snow White, in her new little home which resides in Ellison's room. Aunt Marlene gave this little fishbowl to Ellison as we were leaving to return home to NC. I was feeling pretty bad for this fish having such a confined space, but apparently this type of fish does well like that, before you go hatin' on us.

The fish look no where to be seen - probably hiding from the mammoth unicorn - but these were the decorations Ellison picked out when she earned them. So Ellison. :-)

She was all excited to feed the fish the first night, but ever since wants nothing to do with it because she doesn't want to have to wash her hands afterward. So now Mommy and Daddy do it. This is one of the reasons we will never have a dog or cat in this house.

After the fish went to sleep for the night, Ellison turned her attention to the bookcase Dad was putting together. She wanted to help, and he was such a good Daddy really letting her do it.

Call me sappy, but it was so sweet to watch.

Daddy knows how to do practically anything around the house, with a vehicle, electronics, etc. He seriously has a crazy set of impressive skills. I hope this is one time of many he teaches our kids how to do those things. And it's good bonding, too. (Here's where I plug Dr. James Dobson's new book, "Bringing Up Girls". I'm feeling passionate about it right now).

[August 28, 2010]