Dear Family,

Dear Grandma, Grandpa, MeMaw, and PePaw,

I finally guilted begged enough whined loudly convinced Mom to take me to the pet store today. I had the birthday money that you gave me and I wanted to get a fish.

When we got there and started investigating the fish and tanks and other stuff I realized that if having one fish would be fun, then having a whole school of fish would be WAY FUN! Mommy said she should have known her plans for a one gallon tank would just fly out the window.

I did some price shopping on tank kits versus buying parts separate and finally decided on a 10-gallon aquarium kit. We also bought aquarium gravel, fish food, water testing supplies and most importantly – THREE TWO FISH!

They are neon tetras and they are named Harry, Hermione, and Sunshine/Fish Hermione and Spot* (Captain Chaos and Hollywood collaborated on that last one).

We came home and started to put together our tank only to discover that the filter box was cracked and leaked water everywhere. That was fun! Luckily the pet shop is right near the gym so we stopped by for an exchange.

After swim classes we finished setting up the tank and put the fish in. I think that they like their new home. I am excited that I read that they can live up to 10 years. Mommy just laughed when I asked her to take care of the fish when I went away to college.

Anyway, thank you for the birthday money! I am very excited about my new pets and have promised to take care of them.

Love,

MOTS

P.S. Here’s a picture of me with my new fish (tank)-

A note from Mommy -

Dear Grandma, Grandpa, Mom and Dad,

We are now the proud owners of three neon tetras two Dalmation Mollies. Let me tell you a little about how we got them.

1. We compared and contrasted EVERY fish tank in “our” price range in the store. Even asked to see if there were any more models in the back.

2. We read approximately 2,376 pamphlets on every available fish species available for home tank use. And some for commercial breeders.

3. We priced checked everything in the aquarium section. Twice.

4. We examined every fish in the store. Then reexamined the freshwater fish because they were cheaper.

5. We told Captain Chaos not to put his hand in the tanks, that it would hurt the fish.

6. We read the packages of every fake plant available.

7. We consoled Captain Chaos when he discovered a dead fish in another tank and began screaming “The fishy dead! I hurted the fishy!”

8. We read the labels on 17 different types of fish food.

9. We checked out. Finally. TWO HOURS later.

10. We got home and discovered that the filter box was broken and had to call the store to make sure that we did not need to empty and disassemble the whole thing to get a replacement.

11. We rushed to the store for a replacement before swim class.

12. We rushed home, with all three kids convinced that the fish would be dead in the bag.

13. Plug in the heater and new filter.

14. receive tank temperature updates every 30 seconds from one or more children.

15. Place fish in tank. They immediately cower in the bottom of tank. Children mesmerized.

*16. Find that fish have “disappeared” in the night. Whoops, tetras don’t like hard water – they died and got stuck to the filter tube.

17. Return to the store and make use of the 14-day aquatics guarantee. Pick out two Dalmation Mollies – who are far more hardy and don’t mind hard water. Yay!

18. Acclimate bag of angry fish.

19. Release fish to ooooohs and aaaaahhhhhs. Say silent prayer for fish survival.

Thanks for the adventure. Here’s to hoping that the (new) fish make it through the night!

Love,

{c}