Promises Kept

Our family has had many new and exciting experiences since coming to Shanghai, but a simple as it sounds, buying a pet fish this week was very exciting for the younger members of our group.  Our family lost our pet Betta fish last year to Consumption, or something like that.  He had a long happy life with our family.  He lost vision in one eye after a tough battle with popeye, but recovered and was with us several more months.  But eventually, he did pass on.  Prayers at our house from the kids always include "And thank you God for our family, Momma, and Daddy, Kyle , Claire and Carlie, Libby and Aqua".  The prayer did not change even after Aqua was gone.  Just an addendum was usually added, "Aqua was a really good fish" .  So then the pressure to find another fish to bring into our family started.  Knowing we would possibly be making the move overseas, I asked the kiddos to please wait until we get to China.  A fish will not travel well. ( Our poor dog, Libby had a rough time making the trip.)  So I promised the kids, when we get to China you may get a new fish.

So now after getting a little settled in, I asked our driver, Mr. Le (pronounced- Luh), where he thinks we could find a fish market.  This took a little effort, as I could tell he thought I was speaking of a "wet market" that sells fish to eat.  I tell the kids one small fish each, and I think a small bowl.    But finally, we communicated a pet fish is what we were looking for.  We went to a fish market that had room after room of fish, saltwater tanks, freshwater tanks, rabbits, birds, baby turtles etc.  And the heated negotiations started, and I really don't know what happened. Okay, truthfully, I am the worst negotiator.  Cody is much better at getting a bargain.  Kyle ended up with a beautiful tank of living water plants and angel fish, and I think some sort of tetras.  My iPhone picture will not do them justice.  The angel fish are named Stars and Sunny side up.

The girls got these huge goldfish, named Freckles, Ice Cream, Sunny, and Cherry.  These guys can put away the food.  They are not like having a quiet little fish to watch.  They can see you, and respond.  They move their rocks around at night by picking them up with their mouths. They make such a racket.  I have cleaned bowl three times already this week, they make such a mess.  The girls are worried, and probably rightfully so, that I will stress them out keeping them too clean, but their tank is like toilet water, and I can't stand to leave it dirty.  I have a feeling the noisemakers will survive my cleanliness. 

They are pretty cute.