Is it bigger than a breadbox?

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In today's installment of "everything's bigger in texas", the Texas Spiny Lizard:



The one I encountered this afternoon moved too quickly for me to get a pic before he was a good 10-15 feet up the free, but he (or she) was really cool! I hope I see it again; the girls were excited about the juvenile anole that we found on the deck - a 6-inch spiny lizard will make their day.

Of course, I probably won't see it when the kidlets are around.

So I went to PetSmart today (there were some awful cute kittens there, if anyone around the 1890 Ranch Petsmart is looking for a friend .. ) intending to get a full aquarium setup. But really, I want to deal with all of that like I want a hole in the head. It also just didn't compute to spend like $3-400 on an aquarium setup + stand for a fish that'll cost like $2 to replace.

So, here are Isabel the Betta's new digs:



It's a positively pink palace, fit for a male fish that likes to kill it's rivals. I think if Isabel the fish had any inkling of what a puss we were turning him into, he'd just go belly-up. At least he entertains the only other boy in the house:


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That, and burning baby fish swimming all around your head

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Well, it's my weekend off and, naturally, I'm fighting off a poopy feeling. I don't know if I'm sick or it's just allergies. Grass pollen is wicked high, so that could be it. In Austin, *something* is always triggering someone's allergies ... I guess that's the price we pay for living somewhere that otherwise knocks it out of the park.

The kids have been knocking it out of the park as well, on both sides of the behavior spectrum. Miss O treated her daycare teacher to a full-fledged 30-minute meltdown the other day ... Miss Sabrina was duly impressed. For those who have not witness an O tantrum, they are truly amazing to behold. After all, she's been honing her craft for years now ...



Sigh.

At least she hooks you up with considerable cuteness to balance it all out



It's Rainbow Collection ... do you like *that*?

Bean started at 'regular' preschool again on Tuesday. So far, so good, best I can tell. When I picked her up after the first day, she was outside trying to talk a kid off the swing she wanted, which is way better than throwing a hissy fit. I also heard that she laid quietly on her mat fro naptime, but they understand that may not always be the case :)

On her last day at her inclusive school, all the kids got fish, and Bean was allowed to take hers home. Meet the newest family member:



She named her fish ...

(wait for it)

Isabel. Shocker, I know.

I've gotta say, betta fish are actually kind of ... personable? I find myself talking to the fish, and it's always interested in what we're doing. I actually moved the fish bowl back to the bar in the kitchen so it wouldn't feel so alone; I had moved it to a niche because Max was drinking the water. And I'm actually going to go buy it a nicer tank and some other, betta-friendly, fish to hang with.

Yes. I need help. I'm down with that.
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