It's Not Easy Being Green

All year, my middle son's fourth-grade class has had an aquarium full of African Dwarf Frogs.  The kids have cared for them as a class, learning about their diet and ecosystem.  But the end of the year is upon us, and the frogs needed homes for the summer.

And I have SUCKER written on my forehead, so it's a perfect match.

My son presented a compelling case, complete with bullet points and a closing argument, as to why he would like a chance to adopt one or two.  They're small, easy-to-care-for, and (he knew this would be the deal breaker) they don't smell.

(I have a fair amount of tolerance for annoying pet behaviors.  But I cannot abide bad smells.  Not a whiff.  Not a fraction of a whiff.)

My son brought home the paperwork (oh yes, there was paperwork).  He and I had to sign an agreement that we would care for the frogs and absolutely, under no circumstances, would we "release" the frogs.  And by "release", I can only assume they mean "flush".

"Are you absolutely, positively sure they don't smell?" I asked for the fourth time.  He nodded solemnly.  I looked at the paperwork again.  Then I remembered that episode of LA Law from 1987 that taught us that all legally-binding contracts pertaining to the adoption of African Dwarf Frogs become null and void in the event of a vile stink.  Really.  I'm just sure I remember that one.

I signed the paperwork, as did mothers of many other fourth graders, and my son anxiously stewed over whether his name would be drawn in the frog lottery.  (Oh yes, there was a lottery.)  There were 16 frogs, and there are 22 students.  You could take those odds to Vegas.

One afternoon this week, my son bounded out to the car with a plastic-wrap-covered Solo cup.  We were now the proud owners of not one, but two African Dwarf Frogs (Bud and Lou), and we headed to the store for supplies.  My son, having studied the frogs all year, was very well-versed in what they need (which thankfully, isn't much.)  They need to swim in distilled water, in a glass bowl with a vented lid, and they need regular fish food.

So I grabbed a cheap little bottle of fish pellets off the grocery-store shelf. 

"NO!" shouted my son.  "Not THOSE!  They will make the frogs constipated, and they would explode!"

This is the point at which I must pause to point out that I consider myself a reasonably well-prepared mother.  I studied ahead and braced myself for teething, potty training, stomach viruses, orthodontia, sleepovers, ER trips, sibling rivalry, The Talk, video games, and fractions.

But I will confess that in all my years of looking ahead, never ever did I factor in the possiblity of exploding, constipated frogs.  (It's created a crisis of confidence in me, actually.  What other unexpected dangers might be looming?  Guinea pigs with cholera?  Lactose-intolerant squirrels?)

I am happy to report that we dodged that particular bullet.  Thanks to my son's extensive frog knowledge, Bud and Lou swim happily in a bowl next to me at this very moment.  Nobody has exploded, and nobody stinks.

(I am struck that when one considers "nobody has exploded and nobody stinks" a statement of achievement, then one may have set one's bar a little too low.)

This parenting gig is full of surprises.

Comments

[BlueCastle]

The mental image I now have in my head of a poor, constipated, exploding frog is simply hilarious. I'm a really horrible person because I would secretly be tempted to "plug" one of the frogs up. But, of course I would never do that. Even if it would be educational. :) I'm not that demented....

[Laryssa @ Heaven In The Home]

Thanks for sharing this cute story! I had to stifle my giggles so I wouldn't wake anyone up. :-)

[Debra]

Now THAT is hilarious!

[Dorci]

My son brought home from school two snails in his charge one year. Taking care of them was easy. It was the two days that they, one by one, each stuck to the side of their glass home. My son knew that meant only one thing. Poor thing has lost those two snails, two guinea pigs, and a dwarf hamster and our aging dogs can't be too far behind. I'm counting on the fact that God's going to use those boy-sized trials to grow his faith and compassion. I'm glad we moms don't know every danger that looms ahead for our children. I can only take them one at a time.

[MM]

LOL! Cute post!

I've always wondered why mothers get a bad rap when it comes to pets. Now that I have a kiddo, I understand. Before offspring, my dogs and kitties WERE my babies. Now that I have a baby, my dogs and kitties are just that...dogs and kitties. I hate to say it, but there is a whole new perspective to furry creatures running underfoot when you know you have a child to take care of.

[Krystal]

I literally laughed so hard I cried. Who knew that constipated frogs would have to be at the top of your worry list as a parent? This is great!

[*~Michelle~*]

You, my friend.....are one of the funniest people ev-a!

I don't know what made my coffee spray further.....the exploding constipated frog or how you articulated with your list of preparing for parenting.

Too funny!

OK, have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend...
Peace~

*~Michelle~*

[Jessica Ryan]

May I suggest live crickets? I kid you not! My husband (aka my oldest boy!) has collected toads for the younger boys... gone out and purchased terrariums and after extensive research on the internet he learned that a steady diet of crickets was perfect for their digestive tracts... no explosions whatsoever! A huge (size of a grapefruit) bull frog was caught just last weekend. We had to let Jeremiah go as he was just too large!

And if you happen to have any goldfish with a constipation problem -- this happens when eager little children over-feed, cut up a green pea and put it in the tank!

Sheesh, had I not had boys I would never have been filled with such silly information!

[Juanita]

I really enjoy reading your blog. "nobody has exploded and nobody stinks" sounds like one of life's wisdoms that we all need to remember...

[Missy]

Love this especially since we are considering getting a fish for our 19 month old. And we're not talking about the stuffed or edible variety. I think I'll blame it on the grandparents!

[Linda Sue]

Let's see, Shannon, you cannot abide bad smells and have how many BOYS/MEN in your household? You must be under odor attack on a fairly regular basis. Great posting - yep - you've graduated from rats to swimming supposedly male (might there be baby froggies in your future?) frogs who have a problem with a lack of fiber in their diets. It is going to be an hysterical summer - looking forward to your adventures.

[Lisa Q]

great story. I'm adding "nobody exploded and nobody stinks" to my list of achievement checking benchmarks! Most days I can actually say that is true!

[Ashley]

I'm not looking forward to the days of pets (I have awhile, my daughter is 5 months old). I'm not much of an animal person, but will most likely cave in when I get the batting eyes and goofy grins asking "pleeeease, can we have him mom!!"

[NCV]

Ha! I love it! I went through the very same process a few years ago . . . I said no, but daughter persisted and I interviewed the teacher and finally agreed! But lo and behold those little frogs became one of my favorites! They're easy to care for and loads of fun to watch! You won't be sorry!

[Anna]

I was expecting to find out that the FOOD was vile or crawly or jumpy. Glad it's worked out so far.

[Lucy]

This is funny. :) We're entering this world ourselves. DH and I were talking just last night about possibly giving our almost eight-year-old son a rodent pet in lieu of a dog (which I absolutely do NOT want). I even told him about your rat experiences!

Fortunately for me, my mom loved animals and our house was a zoo when I was growing up. I rescued everything - squirrels, turtles, kittens, birds. Yes, we even had jars of spider egg sacs in our house. Which then hatched millions of tiny spiders. That may have pushed my mother to the edge.

Good luck with the frogs!

[Jenni]

Your final two sentences had me ROLLING.

I'm sure the froggies are cute, at least. I've always been a big fan of Kermit.

[Cheri]

My then 10 year old son found a snail in a lake and brought it home. We already had two fish, so it just took up residence with one of the fish.

Did I mention the snail was pregnant? When it was all said and done, we ended up with 9 snails crawling all over the inside of the tank.

Never once up to that point in my life, did I think I'd be Googling "lake snail care." They lived a couple of years and started dropping off one by one. Oh and I killed one or two . . . . they started out REALLY tiny.

[Sherry]

hilarious! :)

[Jo@Mylestones]

"never ever did I factor in the possibility of exploding, constipated frogs" Oh my word, that had me laughing.
And I'm thinking that if you've managed to create an environment where "nobody exploded and nobody stinks", you're doing just fine!!

[Tracy]

bwahahahaha!!

(I own a degu. They are diabetic by nature. Yes, a diabetic rodent. I never thought I would have to say "NO, don't feed the degu so many raisins, she's a diabetic!")

[Kelley]

A point to ponder (and further encourage you to ALWAYS have the right food on hand)...if said frog becomes constipated and explodes, it probably WILL stink. I'm just sayin'.

[Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Heart]

Yes, but that is parenting sometimes, isn't it? The simple things...

[Kayla]

I have to warn you about crayfish aka crawdad(dy)s here in Oklahoma. They STINK to high heaven. I was misfortunate enough to learn that the hard way after a school even very similar to yours. Our crayfish was released back into his natural environment (because I didn't have to sign the no release clause). However, being an Oklahoma girl I impressed my kids when I actually knew how to pick him up! Have fun with the frogs.

[Nicki]

Too funny!! Enjoy your frogs this summer.

We're caring for snails right now. My daughter stuck them in her pocket while camping last weekend and I found them when they fell to the floor as I was switching laundry from the washing machine to the dryer. I posted about it at my blog.

So, you have rocks in your dryer and I have snails in my washer. ;)

[Melanie]

Classic Rocks. :>)

[Zandor]

Ha. Wow. That was entertaining.

[Becky@oursweetpeas]

I have twin sons who are two and as I read this I think that these days will quickly be upon me. Now I can check "must learn about african dwarf frogs" off my to do list. Thanks :)

[Kris @ Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers]

We almost bought two of those yesterday. They're awfully cute. And, I didn't notice any stench...which is more than I can say for the ferret the pet store guy tried to foist upon us.

[kisatrtle]

Sounds like your son's frogs won the lottery when his name was drawn. Hope all goes well with them.

[hairstyles for girls]

I'm so glad my son will be in 4th grader next year! Maybe we'll get a new pet too. (Actually that's one lottery I wouldn't feel too bad about not winning, LOL)

[Laura@HeavenlyHomeamakers]

I may lose sleep tonight, what with knowing that there are so many things like this that I still do not know. Just when you think you're getting this parenting thing figured out...

[Jena (Organizing Mommy)]

Too hilarious.. I have tears running down my face.. just imagining the exploding constipated frog.

[JD]

Priceless, simply priceless. Did he turn many heads by yelling that out in the pet store? Imagine being in the next aisle, overhearing that conversation?! LOL

It's going to be one wild summer.

[MissQOKC]

THAT was a great story! I too will be using the "nobody has exploded and nobody stinks" rule to judge how well a day has gone. Thanks!

[fern]

The visual of an exploding, constipated frog is just too much.

While guinaea pigs probably do not get cholera, they can get scurvy (just speaking from experience).

Oh, and if you ever get toads--feed them fireflies and then turn off the lights!

[mzzterry]

never,ever even considered a constipated frog. you have opened my mind to a new realm of thoughts.

parenting. it isn't for the faint of heart!!

[Anna]

That is great! I laughed out loud cause it SO sounds like a situation I would get myself stuck in. :)

We have had all sorts of critters in this house. The least stinky are the sea monkeys that have managed to live for well over a year now. I am ready for them to be gone but they have not given up yet.

[Tara]

Hey, if nobody has exploded and nobody stinks I consider my day a success!

[Alisha]

thanks again for another laugh-worthy post!

[Jolanthe]

Thanks so much for a great laugh this morning. Are you on twitter at all? just wondering - I wasn't sure how to look for you if you were. :)

http://noordinarymomentsblog.com

[Jerri]

As one person said, "you're the funniest person, e-va!" I really enjoyed this post!

[The Gonzo Mama]

In my house, with seven kids, nobody exploding and nobody stinking equals a pretty good day. :)

[Richelle]

we love frogs, toads, chameleons (that being my kids, not i... i tolerate said critters because I love my kids)- and i totally agree. if nothing or no one is constipated and expoding, celebrate.

you can set the bar a little higher tomorrow!

[Elaine at Lipstickdaily]

OMG exploding constipated frogs. I love it! Takes me back to when I babysat Harry, the class iguana, over Christmas.

[Trisha]

Exploding frogs! That's terrible. I'm pretty sure I'm developing a fatal allergy to ALL classroom pets as we speak.

Achoo.

[aimee]

My fiance and I have some of those frogs - he had one for 7 years...he used to chirp. It was the cutest thing. But we uh, released him awhile back, if you know what I mean.
Whatever you do - don't get snails. THEY MULTIPLY LIKE RABBITS. :(

[Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect]

Oh, that's too funny! I have a super sniffer, too, so I can understand needing reassurance that the thing wouldn't stink. :) But still, that lottery sounds like the one in the short story - you know, where you don't actually want to be the winner!

[mumple]

Too funny! I am thankful that the Howler's teachers (so far, at least) have aversions to live things that are not children in the classroom.

This year's teacher wouldn't even trust herself to keep marigolds alive, and sent them home promptly!

[We are THAT family]

I love it!

And just think of the possibilities the summer holds....

like Frogs in my Dryer!

has a nice ring to it.

[Hope]

I can so relate! We've some *exotic* pets of our own! Once we were trying to get our sick snake to eat and it was suggested that we heat up the frozen pinky mouse to make it warm and then slice it's little head to entice the snake to eat. Ewwww...my son took care of that one...and the poor snake still didn't make it. :( Said son plans on being a herpetologist. Ewww.

[Debra Graybeal]

This is hilarious! Thanks for the laugh!

[Christine]

Nope, release isn't a euphemism for flush. They mean you are not to release the frog into local ponds, streams, etc. They are likely not native frogs, and invasive species can cause some rather interesting ecological problems. Look at kudzu vines for an extreme example.

[Mango Girl]

What are you legally obligated to do if Bud and Lou don't make it through the summer under your care??

What a fun summer you have ahead of yourself!

[angela]

"NO!" shouted my son. "Not THOSE! They will make the frogs constipated, and they would explode!"

I'm at work, on the phones and THAT made me laugh out loud

[Kat @ The Burb Blog]

They don't stink until they die or grow really old. Just like people! :)

[Musings of a Housewife]

"Are you absolutely, positively sure they don't smell?" LOL! LOL! That's the first thing I would have asked.

And, um, constipated frogs? Hilarious.

Life is never dull with boys.

[Cathy]

Haha! You laugh about constipated frogs, but we really and truly just had a constipated chicken. I NEVER in my wildest dreams, even as an animal lover, imagined myself giving an enema to a bantam rooster, but I did, not just once, but THREE times. However, poor Fluffy did not make it. Thankfully, he didn't explode, though.

BTW, I'm the mom of four who lives down here in SW Oklahoma and also had pet rats, though they all lived to a ripe old age and are now in pet heaven.

[Seonie Lyon]

We have a saying - 'going off like a frog in a sock' - which I've always found very visual. THIS - just makes that idea even funnier!

[peggy]

I actually LOVE the "Whenever I Feel Like It Linkage" title so much better. It is real. It is genuine and NOT ordinary at all. Can't you just feel the freedom that title brings?

[Miche]

Oh my gosh, I almost spit my coffe out all over the computer screen-that was just too funny to not comment. I just love reading you! Hmmm, sounds odd, but I don't know how else to say it...lol

[Nikki]

Awesome post!!