"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. " -Helen Keller

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Easy Mark?

Do I have a great big E (standing for easy mark, soft touch, pushover) emblazoned across mt forehead?  I really think I must, at least when it comes to my kids and classroom pets. For the second time in 3 years, I have agreed to let Joey bring home an animal they were observing and studying in science class. The first time, Joey brought home a gold fish and two little water snails. Somehow, that goldfish lived for over a year. This year, Joey has been going on and on about the African dwarf frogs they are studying in science class (there is another small aquatic animal they are studying but I can't remember what it is right now). I should have known they would be looking for homes for them when this unit of study was over but, somehow, I was caught by surprise. I was also caught in a weak moment because I said yes to bringing home and African dwarf frog and actually signed the permission slip and sent it in.In self defense, I picked the easier of the two creatures to care for. I mean, these froggies don't even need a filter in their wee little tanks because the vibrations bother them. So, today I sent Joey off to school with a container he could use to bring home the African dwarf frog and, once I dropped him off at school, I went off to find a small aquarium to keep the froggy in. I found a nice little one at Wal-Mart and it didn't even cost $10. I was starting to feel pretty good about this. I mean, how bad can it be when it will rarely need his water changed and the habitat cost me less than $10. When I got home I washed the gravel we have and made a gallon of treated water to put in the froggy's aquarium. Since Marty was busy with the school work he had assigned, I figured  I'd read up a little on the little dude Joey was bringing home. One of the first sites I found was written by a guy who had a pair of these little guys. He said his frogs had lived an average of 6 years.  Honestly, I was expecting them to have a lifespan like a goldfish. I kept reading and got to the point where he mentioned he wasn't sure about their maximum lifespan because his cousin had on dwarf frog that had live 18 years . What the hell have I gotten myself into? At least, unlike cats and dogs, I can ship this froggy off to college with Joey when that day comes.

7 comments:

Quiet Dreams said...

Haha! You are such a great mom--your boys will surely remember their childhoods with much happiness. :)

_ said...

ROFL! but just think of the joy it will bring Joey over the years...at least until he goes off to college and you are left with taking care of it in it's old age. LOL ;)

AnnaBelle said...

LOL, congratulations on the new (long-term) member of your family!

battynurse said...

Yikes. 18 years?!?!
I suppose burial at sea isn't an option?
I remember my mom letting me bring home the class chameleon. And the hamster I brought home for the weekend which got lost during the slumber party I also had that Friday night. Luckily he was found again the next morning.

ColourYourWorld said...

Oh that is awesome! I would love a froggie and I am sure Boo would too. Would love to see some pics when you get him home. I have just bought two goldfish and a nice tank and Boo loves them and so do I !

Dora said...

Too funny! Yeah, you're a pushover. ;-)

Mercy said...

We get SO many frogs here. They arent little either.....
Whats worse is sometimes you go to the bathroom at night, lift the toilet lid.... and well you can imagine!