something fishy

When I thought I was pretty sure I'd get the job teaching 18 month to three year olds, I started brainstorming about how I'd like it to be. Bright colors, lots of activity and life in my classroom...I began looking around for resources. I got an email from freecycle offering guppies so I contacted the giver to see how hard they would be to care for. Sounded easy enough...so my fourth day at work, I approached my boss and got permission to have the fish in my classroom. I then contacted the guppy lady and set up a date for pick up.
Then my comedy of errors began...I dug out my old plastic tank and found it had a big hole in one corner. Searched my basement and found two biscotti jars a neighbor woman gave us, decided they could work with a little modification. My husband cut out the center part of one lid and we set in a circle of screen, and I had a carry lid and a breathing lid. One jar sits in my class for the fish and one holds water to condition and be ready for water changes.
The day we had scheduled for pick up approached-and we found out we needed/wanted to go to an event for my sister-in-law's family the same day. But the fish were located on the route, so we planned to pick them up on the way. It was very cold out, and I began to worry about leaving the fish in the car...but I worked it out. I dumped my purse in a grocery bag, and slipped the fish, baggie and margarine tub and all, into my purse. [I did not tell my mother this.] The fish happily attended the family event and then went out to eat with us.
I was a little worried how my aide would feel about the fish; not to worry! When she saw them she was so excited. And so were the kids. One of the boys tried to share his strawberries with them [that screen was good thinking!]. One little girl squealed with delight when she saw the fish. Everyday the kids love to see them.
We had a snow day last Friday. My boss called to let me know to stay home and an hour later I realized...my poor fish! I found out that the building would be open for a few hours midday, so we arranged to pick them up on our way to pick up my niece. This time we had a picnic cooler in the car to insulate the fishies from the cold, so they didn't need to come in everywhere with us.
My kitty Molly is so happy to have the fish home for a visit. She likes to try to steal their food. She loves to chase them around the jar. She loves to just curl up around the jar and gaze fondly at them.
Ah the hours of enjoyment our fishies provide us.