Hmm...

OK, this pretty much sums up how my day went today. Ever been flipped off by a starfish???

Fish Fry

No, not *that* kind of fish fry. No hot oil or hush puppies involved.

Remember those Convict Cichlids I got, not quite two weeks ago? Well, they've laid eggs! Looks like a got a male/female pair after all. I noticed the female was "missing" earlier, and finally found her in the ceramic cave with the eggs. Momma is guarding the eggs and fanning them with her fins, and Poppa is cruising around guarding their territory.

Some random pictures

Spike, ain't he cute??? And such a cuddler! Anytime I'm sitting still, he's right there, either in my lap or plastered against my leg.











Below, new fish. These are black convict cichlids. (Pronounced "SICK-lids") I *think* the one in the pic on the left is a female. She's smaller, with more rounded fins, and seems to have some very faint pinkish tint on her belly. They are supposed to breed really easily. There is a third one in the tank and I'm not sure if it's a male or female yet.



















One of my roses.









My pleco, with the oscars in the background.



















Benjamin made a gingerbread house in school on Friday and was so excited that we decided to make some real, "from scratch" gingerbread houses on Saturday. Mackenzie's is on the left and Benjamin's is on the right. The one wrapped in plastic is the one he made in school.







Ripley's Aquarium.

Back from the Beach!

Last weekend was our "girls at the beach" weekend. It was so much fun, and we are all sooo tired!

Here I am, striking a pose for the camera.... LOL

The view from our condo balcony.

Me & Holly, twice.

The whole gang: Lynette, Jessica, Mandi, Holly, Jo, & me., outside of California Dreaming (my favorite restaurant).

Can't wait until next year!!!!

A few pictures

Our firebelly toads, Boy, Frog & Sissy. Don't blame me; the kids named them. Not sure if Sissy is actually a girl, but Boy really is a boy--he sings his little frog song and tries to...umm.... "hug" the other frogs. Poor things; we've been getting crickets from the bait shop instead of the pet store because 1. They're a lot cheaper! and 2. I don't have to drive an hour to get there. The only problem is that the bait shop only has BIG ONES. They're just about too big for the little frogs to get down their little mouths. Hopefully in a few more days we'll have our own baby crickets. They've (the crickets, not the frogs) been laying eggs like crazy. I hope they hatch OK.

A female golden silk spider and two of her boyfriends. She's not nearly as big as the one we had last year. I'm assuming she's the daughter of the one who lived by our shed last summer. She and her sister and their suitors live on the other side of the shed. Females are about 3 inches long and males only 1/2 inch. They can bite but usually don't, and when they do, it's much less

severe than a bee sting.

I think Benjamin may be part ostrich.

A lovely locust-y. This guy was about 3 1/2 inches long. The kids were *so* impressed with the "really big cricket" they found.

My water lilly finally bloomed. I didn't think it was going to this year. Worth the wait!!!

Having a "Hopping" Good Time...

Introducing the newest residents here at Michelle's Menagerie. Three Firebelly Toads. The first one we got at PetSmart in Myrtle Beach on Friday. He's mostly brown on top.

Below are a couple of shots where you can see where they get their name. Their bellies are bright orangey-red. This tells predators "I'm poisonous; don't eat me!!!"

Later we decided he was so cool that we had to go get a couple of friends for him. I definitely wanted green ones, so we decided to try the PetSmart in Mount Pleasant this afternoon. They had two green ones left, so I got both of them.

Also, here are some pictures of my Oscars. The first one was taken last March, when I first got them. The second one was taken July 20. They've grown a bit!

Cesar Milan is my hero!!!

Ever since I got Spike back in January, Keira has HATED him. He would try to get her to play and she would go all stiff and snarl at him and if that didn't deter him, she'd roll him. I had just about given up hope of them ever being "friends" much less acting like a cohesive pack. I mean, it's been it's been 4 1/2 months with no change.

Ever watched The Dog Whisperer? The first thing Cesar always tells clients is to walk your dogs together. Don't let them lead, or sniff around wherever they want; you have to move at a brisk pace and get them into "traveling mode", following you. I've been walking with a friend for exercise for about half an hour after dropping off Benjamin at school, and I always take Spike with me. Well, last week I started bringing Keira too. I've walked the two of them together maybe 4 or 5 times now and today they ACTUALLY PLAYED TOGETHER. It was amazing! I have always admired Cesar Milan's techniques, but now I am even more impressed. I should've started walking them together 4 months ago!

Wow, I am on the ball!

Check this out: I actually managed to update my blog TWICE WITHIN A WEEK!!! Holly will be so proud! LOL

Saturday we took the the kids to the mall so they could play at the play area. Bill watched them while I shopped all by myself. It was so peaceful! LOL. Then that afternoon we took them to a birthday party for their friends Nathan & Abbie. The party was at the Equestrian Center and needless to say, the kids had a BLAST. They both got to ride actual real live horses. They were so impressed.

Sunday we went to church and of course everybody asked if Mom & Dad are ready to move back yet. Later that day Susie and I went to the movies and saw Lucky You. It was pretty good. And then we went to Outback--YUM. I can't remember what my meal was called but it was sure good, and there was so much food, I made lunch for our whole family the next day out of my leftovers, lol.

Monday we took the kids to Ripley's Aquarium. They always enjoy that. Also did a little comparison shopping for a new dishwasher (ours is on its last legs!) and I got to go in Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works. (I just love all those coupons!)

I am supposed to take the kids to the beach tomorrow with another friend but I think it's going to be too cold & windy. That's OK; I'm kinda tired!

out of the mouths of babes...

The other day I came back to the living room after folding some laundry and discovered a shredded make up sponge in the floor. I asked Mackenzie who tore it up, because I wasn't sure if she did it, or if one of the dogs did. She said, "I did it. Er... No! It was a MONSTER!" I guess she was right on both counts, LOL. I was too busy laughing to punish her. :P

A Work of Art...

Just thought I'd share a picture Benjamin drew yesterday. This is Benjamin and Spike playing together in our living room.

Some old pictures

OK Holly, don't have a stroke; I'm actually updating my blog! LOL


Here are some pictures of "little ole me" I inherited recently when my Granny passed away.


During my "Lone Ranger" phase.

With Mom, April 7, 1974. Nice dress, Mom! ;)



Dec 1977, 3 years old. In this one I'm 8 months older than my daugher is now. Wow, we look a lot alike!

May 5, 1974, a little over 3 months old. This one is Mom's favorite.