Freddie, the almost Frog

A few weeks ago Madelyn and I were in Wichita doing a little shopping when I decided to take her to the Superior School Supply store. For elementary teachers, this store has everything one could need. For just everyday folk it has a lot of stuff I don't need but fun stuff to look at. Madelyn and I were particularly interested in the butterfly growing, ant farm and grow a frog. Well of course we couldn't leave without something in hand and Madelyn, or maybe I was, really interested in growing a frog. So we purchased the grow a frog kit and as soon as we got home we mailed off the card to get our tadpole. As you can imagine, Ryan was less than thrilled because we spent $15 on a tadpole (but he comes with a really nice new home) when he could go to any creek (pronounced crick) and find dozens of them. BUT, this is a special tadpole. Our little tadpole arrived in the mailbox yesterday afternoon (even though on the box it said do not put in mailbox, deliver to the front door). We were thrilled to see that he was still alive when we opened up the box. Ryan said "that isn't tadpole, that is a catfish, it has whiskers." Well obviously Ryan has never seen a special tadpole. I assured him it was indeed a tadpole. And wouldn't luck have it, the little guy has little leg buds. We didn't have any nondistilled bottled water as recommended for the tadpole but I did microwave some refrigerated bottled water and he adjusted just fine. It was touch and go for a bit because he seemed to be floating on his back for a time. I must say he is the cutest tadpole I have ever seen. You can see his little heart beating because he is see through. When he is happy his head is down and tail is up and he is wiggling. I'm quite sure he knows our voices and starts doing that as soon as he hears us. :) He made it through is first night. Madelyn fed him before school and kissed his home before she left for school. We keep referring to Freddie as a he, but actually won't know for another eight months if he is a boy or girl. Ryan said, "it's going to live that long?" He has not faith. I'll keep you posted on our Frog farming. It hopefully will be more successfull than Ryan's quail farming.