A Fish Story --

You may recall the funny thing Carson said to me about the fish in my little fountain in the back yard  and how they could be pets (Carson-Cute  4/28/12 blog posting).  Well those 10 little gold fish (minus one that died right away) were happily living in my pond, being fed daily by either me or the twins when they were here.  We all loved those little gold fish!!!!  They had been our pets for about 3 months.   On the Sunday that we celebrated their birthday, both Carson and Ruby had fed the fish with Grandpa Ray.  Much to my chagrin, the very next morning when I went out to feed them, not ONE came up for food.  I thought they were hiding, but after a few moments, I realized there were NO FISH in the little fountain.  I figured a nocturnal neighbor (most likely a raccoon) had gold fish (and I don't mean crackers) for dinner that night.  I was sad, and knew the kids would be too. 

The next weekend the kids came over for a sleep-over and I knew I had to tell them the story.  True to form, Carson headed right out back to check on the fish and I went out there and sat down and began to explain that a raccoon thought the fountain was a small pond or lake and was just hungry and had  a fish dinner.  He wasn't being bad -- he was just hungry. 

I could tell Carson was fixin to cry.  I kept telling him that it was OK and that the raccoon was hungry.  The raccoon didn't know they were our pets. 

Then the interesting comments and questions started coming.

"How did he get them out of there?"

"Can he give them back?" 
"Did they go to heaven to God?"

"Can we get some more?" 

 (No, because the raccoon would just eat them again) 

Ruby had a brilliant idea -- "We can get two fountains and put some fish in one for the raccoon to eat and one for them not to eat." 

 I said "how would they know which fountain was for them to eat"?

"We could put a sign on the one for them to eat telling them it was OK to eat these fish!" 

Carson said, "Grandma, why didn't you scare the raccoon away when he came to eat them?" 
"Honey, I was sleeping and they are so quiet I didn't even know they were there!"

At that point Carson finally had enough and broke down and cried in my arms.  He is such a sensitive little man and a very kind heart.  Ruby was off to play (maybe making a sign for the raccoon!) 

This photo was taken while the fish were alive and kicking -- or swimming! 

First Sushi -- Kid Style

 As a fun family time, Kristin and Casey took the kids to sushi (kids style).  They were shocked at how well the kids took to the chopsticks.  They are the ones that are meant for beginners, with the top of the sticks hooked together -- but still!!!!!  Our Japanese friends should be proud!  The sushi place was so close to their home that Kristin walked home with the kids. 

Ballerina Music Box

I gave Ruby a musical ballerina jewelry box for her birthday and she loved it.  We took it upstairs to my bedroom to look through my jewelry to see if there was anything of mine she could put in it.  She was enchanted by the dancing doll. 

Painting Bird House Project

One of the gifts I gave the children were these bird houses they could paint.  I have a bird house in my back yard that they really enjoy watching.  I have to fill it each week because of how many birds come to my house for breakfast and dinner. 

The kids really enjoyed this project and did a fine job. 

There is Ruby's concentrating tongue again! 



In the photo below Ruby was lamenting that Carson's bird house was painted better than hers!  



 He was so proud of his bird house and kept asking me "Grandma, what will the birds say when they see my bird house?" 

 RUBY -- OPEN YOUR EYES FOR THE PICTURE!!!!

The Family Birthday Celebration

 We had the family party at my house the day after the kid party.  I baked and decorated these cakes for the children.  The little ceramic angel doll on top Ruby's cake is very special, for it was on my cake when I turned 4  (that makes it an antique!)   I wasn't sure what I would put on Carson's cake, but when I spotted this excavator at the store, I knew it had to be on his cake, since he knows the names of every tractor ever made!  And he loved it. 

  This tractor was a huge hit with Carson.  He actually got two of them, but not to worry -- he can take one home and keep one at my house.  He almost didn't want to open the other gifts after he opened this one. 

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAREST CARSON AND RUBY.......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.  

Twins 4th B.Day Party

 The twins 4th b.day party for their pals was held at an inflatable bouncy place.  It was a great place for the kids to let off a whole lot of energy.  They played for over an hour on many different types of inflatables, including some pretty high-up slides.  Carson was fearless.  The first time Ruby came down the high slide it just so happened that Casey and I were at the bottom, looking up at her and saw the look of shear horror on her little face as she FLEW down, much faster than I think she anticipated.  But she got right back up and continued to enjoy herself.  There was probably a total of 18 kids, with their parents, so it was a big group -- with plenty of room to play. 

 Here I am trying to get a picture of one of the kids coming down the big firetruck slide -- which proved to be very difficult.  They slid so fast I couldn't click in time. 

 I wanted to try and get a photo of Ruby coming down this big slide, but she said "Grandma, put down the camera and catch me!"  I didn't even know that Stephanie was taking this picture of me getting ready to catch Ru. 

 Group hug with Iris from their preschool. 

 Ruby and Iris were catching Ginger as she flew down the slide. 

 Group photo with most of the kids, but some were still sliding or bouncing. 

 After bouncing and sliding for over an hour, the party room was all set up for the kids. 

It got really quiet when all the kids were eating and out of the blue I hear little Ruby say "Thank you Grandma Carrie for making these cupcakes!"  (It almost gave me tears in my eyes)

There is Miss Ruby's concentrating tongue.  I think she was trying to carefully get the paper off the cupcake. 

  After treats it was time for all the kids to get spray on tattoos.  Imagine that!!!!  

 

Carson chose a colorful spider.  YIKES! 

 When all the other kids were done eating, there is Carson still munching away.  Those twins can sure eat -- and mostly healthy.  I think he was enjoying cupcakes and gold fish -- something he doesn't get too much of at home.  BUT IT WAS HIS B.DAY!

I think Ruby's face says it all -- she was tired and a bit cranky, but had a great time.  Kristin told me they took really long naps that day, and slept well that night too. 

 Hey, Aunt Stephanie, look at my tattoo!