It all started so simple. As a family, we have to do 15 service hours with my sons school. There are many opportunities to volunteer and fulfill those hours. My husband volunteered a few weeks ago when they had food truck night. This weekend was my turn. I volunteered to help out with the school’s carnival. I showed up and was asked to work the booth with the goldfish.
You know the one where you throw ping pong balls into a fish bowl to win a gold fish? It went well. With good company, the three hours I spent in the booth went by pretty quickly.
My family hung out and hit up the games and rides while I worked the booth. I joined them after. From the booth, I saw my son and his friend on a roller coaster, and this crazy ride.
I thought he’d be too scared for all of that. He proved me wrong. The kids had a great time!
During my time in the booth, my family came by and played a round or two. Wouldn’t you know both of my kids left with a fish. They were super excited about it. My son named his fish “Hooper” and my daughter named hers “Fish”.
While it was cool to see them excited about a new pet, I also started to think about taking care of another pet. Fish are pretty easy but they are still ONE more responsibility. We already have a dog. On Sunday, my husband headed to the pet store to get our new pets a home. He got them all set up in their new tank. They had a new friend (an algae eater) and they seemed to be happy! They were swimming around like crazy, checking out their new digs.
Then one of the fish started slowing down,way down. My husband noticed it first.I heard him across the room saying, “I don’t think this one is going to make it.” Not the words I wanted to hear – AT ALL. As he predicted, my daughters fish kicked the bucket, gave up the ghost, took a walk on the dark side. Yes, “Fish” is gone. After being in our family for one day, it’s a done deal. Now I am thinking about what the heck I’ll be dealing with in the morning when my kids wake up. Ugh! This is one of those moments they talked about on 80s sitcoms. I really should have been taking notes. I’m hoping they don’t notice? That’s what we get for bringing home stressed out carnival fish.
Any ideas on what I should tell them? How was your weekend? It has to be better than my dead fish saga!
*the fish closest to the top of the tank is “Fish” RIP
34 Comments on When Your Fish Comes From the Carnival…
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Carnivals so should not hand out fish as a prize – they always die and the kids just end up getting disappointed.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) recently posted…How to Embarrass Your Child This Halloween
We had a fish once. It survived for so many years, including during 5-day vacations that Aiden and I had taken. Then, one day we came home, and the fish went to fish heaven. Sigh.
The carnival looks like a lot of fun though!
Alicia @MommyDelicious recently posted…The Day I Got A Restraining Order. And My Power Back.
We have yet to get a fish as a pet but my parents went to FL this summer and bought all their grandkids a hermit crab. Well we were the first to buy a tank so guess who got to keep ALL the crabs? LOL yes we still have all the crabs and it’s almost November lol
Oh no! I agree with Robin that carnivals should not even offer fish as a prize.
we always avoid the fish at the carnival. I don’t want to be stuck caring for another living thing LOL
Melinda recently posted…Potato, Mushroom & Sausage Bake Recipe
My kids were devastated when our fish died. After we lost a handful and shed countless tears, we had to give up the fish business. It was too emotional!
Liz Mays recently posted…My Neighborhood Food Drive: #ShareAMeal with Project Sunlight
Ha ha we don’t let our kids play the fish games. Fear of bringing one home..
We won a fish at a carnival before and it kicked the bucket before we even got it home. My daughter was devastated.
Haha, I avoid the fish at the carnivals too! I love the unique name she gave him! 😉
Amy @ Marvelous Mommy recently posted…Design Your Littlest Pet Shop World – Your Way!
Prize fish never make it. They spend (gosh knows how long) all day confined and their water isn’t cleaned. Then, they are shocked when they get put in their new home. It sucks. We have fish and we buy them from our local fish shop.
I wish I had some words to tell you. Kiddo has had fish her whole life so she just got used to understanding that sometimes fish don’t make it. When one passes, we let some time pass and then we go pick out another one, or two.
Chrystal @ YUM eating recently posted…Cheesy Stuffed Grilled Veal Burgers
Poor Fishy, LOL! When my daughter’s fish died I told her he went to be with Jesus. That’s all I could think of in the moment. The carnival looks real nice for a school carnival and that’s so dope that all the parents volunteer through out the year!
Tia recently posted…Weekend Recap
I know when we were kids we always brought home a fish from the carnival. I don’t think any of them ever made it more than a day. I never let my son play the fish game at the carnival.
Awe! That’s so sad that Fish didn’t make it. I always feel so bad for the fish having those balls ping their containers all day at the fair. Maybe you could buy a better one from the market?
Theresa recently posted…Painted Olaf Pumpkin
I used to organize the school carnival and I always nixed the idea of goldfish. That is just a responsibility that shouldnt be forced on a parent. 🙂
deb recently posted…CRYSTAL LIGHT and Miranda Lambert Platinum Points #CrystalLightWM
When my daughter was little she won a goldfish at a carnival. Needless to say, it didn’t make it past a few weeks despite our good care.
OH no! I am so sorry. I have found that just being honest with them is the best. Simple, but honest.
Felicia recently posted…DIY Darth Vader & Ghost Costumes: Last Minute Halloween Ideas
I always wondered about the health of carnival fish. I am sorry to hear you lost one of your new pets.
That’s sad that one of them died. I don’t think I’ve ever won a fish from a carnival. It’s nice that you tried to give it a better tank.
Tiffany (A Mom’s Take) recently posted…Chinese Family Night Ideas + Paper Fortune Cookies
So sad about the fish dying! We have 2 tanks and I still get upset when one of mine dies which isn’t often! Carnivals shouldn’t give them out unless they send home proper tanks etc IMO. A lot of people win them and have no idea – they are a lot of work!
We have several carnival goldfish! My son loves them! Sadly though they don’t last long.
Krystal recently posted…Crystal Light Strawberry Vodka Cocktail
This place reminds me of Kemah Boardwalk here in Houston. My kids love going! Looks like a bunch of fun
Veronica recently posted…What’s In My Bag?
I always dreaded getting the fish from the carnival! They always died on us 🙁
Christie recently posted…Coffee Your Way | Keurig 2.0 Review #HelloKeurig
I’m so sorry to hear about the fish! It is always a sad thing to see something like that happen!
melisasource recently posted…Childbirth Complications: It Can Happen To Anyone #merckformothers
My boy surprised me this summer with rides I thought he’d be too scared to ride. In fact, he’s pretty much outgrown the baby rides (boo).
The Carnival looked like such a fun time. I had a goldfish named Goldie when I was little. Eventually, she died. My mom told me that Goldie swam away down the drain (i.e. the toilet). I liked thinking of her out there in the water stream.
Estelle recently posted…National Geographic Kids Cookbook Review/Giveaway
Oh wow who hasn’t brought home these cute fish!!! So sad when they don’t take it.
Chrysa Duran recently posted…Play the Purina #SeekandStash Game for a Chance to win FREE Pet Treats
Carnivals are so fun. We won a fish from a carnival once. It lasted a long time lol
How horrible! Ugh, sorry you have to explain this.
Marina @ Mommy Snippets recently posted…6 ways to get our kids to enjoy Nature and the Great Outdoors
We had something similar happen with one of our fish last week. One of our daughter’s fish slowed down and passed away.
Carly Anderson recently posted…Capsule Wardrobe Fall 2014
We have never been able to keep the fish alive. I agree with others – carnivals should not be able to give out fishes for prizes – only brings sadness.
We have never been able to keep the fish alive. I really wish they just gave out toy fish.
Amanda recently posted…Halloween Costumes That Scare the Pants Off Parents
RIP Fish the fish. I’d go with the “replace it before she finds out” personally, or use it as a really time to talk about death.
Jessica (Savory Experiments) recently posted…Limoncello Shrimp Crostini
Sorry that your fish died. I hope your kids will take it well.
Beth@FrugalFroggie recently posted…A Mom’s Guide To Home Organization
I always avoid the fish at the carnival.