The Great Sea-Monkey Experiment Days 3, 4 & 5

Day 3: The morning after I had added the Sea-Monkey eggs to the Magic Castle, I did a bit more research on line. Much to my dismay, I realized that I used tap water, not bottled water to the my container.

I also learned I need to be more patient. The eggs may take a bit longer to hatch due to a slightly cooler than optimal environment and lack of Northern exposure sunlight. (Not much sunlight this time of year!)

While it will be a bit of an embarrassment to have to start over, if I send a self-addressed stamped envelope with $3 I can get another set of packets 1 & 2 PLUS a free Sea-Monkey handbook (a $6 value).

I guess I'll give it another few days.

Days 4 & 5: I have moved the container to a warmer area of the house. I am also trying to get more light, both sunlight and from a lamp. Still no real sign of life yet.

When we jostle the Magic Castle by lifting it to get a better look inside or when transferring it to a spot of sunshine, we can see specks of matter swirling around. At first we fool ourselves into believing we can see tiny tadpole-like creatures. Upon closer inspection, we can only see moving flakes and dots that stop moving once the liquid is still.

I don't know which is more disturbing; the possibility that our tap water is not fit for even Sea-Monkeys or that we are not able to take care of even the tiniest pet.

Several Blog & Twitter friends have had succeeded to a point where as @madebyamyD put it,

" kids had those. They refused to die!" and continued on in an effort to make me feel better,
"hmm, I would be glad. They are pretty gross. They mate like crazy and it totally grossed me out. enjoying YOUR story though :)"

Right now I am not glad. In fact I am quite sad. And feeling a bit inadequate....

I will give it until Monday and then contact the manufacturer.

Stay tuned!

The Great Sea-Monkey Experiment - Day 2

Day 2 - Step 2

It's hard to believe that 24 hours have finally passed. After what seemed like an eternity, the clock struck 5:00 and it was time to blow the whistle and go home.

As soon as I was inside my house, I raced to find Packet 2 that contained the precious eggs and "magic crystal powder". I ripped open the packet and carefully added the mixture to the Magic Castle.

After gently stirring the soon to be re-animated life forms, I placed the Magic Castle back in its warm, bright corner of my kitchen counter.

Now all that's left to do is wait another few days until they hatch. AND then 5 more days until the next step: Step 3- Sea Monkey Growth Food!

While there is much Magic involved in creating life, not much is magical about all the waiting...

Stay tuned.....

The Great Sea-Monkey Experiment - Day 1

Tonight I took the plunge and brought a Sea-Monkey Magic Castle home with me. I was inspired by success stories such as the "Fish-Killer" aka MoM of BoYs with ToYs who is using her Sea-Monkeys to teach her boys about the facts of life!

Not only has she kept them alive, from the sounds of it, may be a "grandmother" soon!


Taking the Plunge -

Nervously I opened the contents of my Magic Castle Kit. I can't believe after all these years, I am finally doing this! Here goes...

Step One: Fill the tank with water and add the contents of packet 1: Sea-Monkey Water Purifier. Stir in the powder for a minute and let sit for 24 hours @ 72-76 degrees Fahrenheit.
DO NOT add the Sea-Monkey Eggs!

Okay.. done and NOT done! Seems easy enough so far.


Step1: Purify the Water



Forgot to tell the kids about the not adding the eggs part, though. Found them staring at the tank admiring the water-purifier crystals swirling about, thinking it was their tiny pet-babies instantly coming to life.

Kept them quiet for a half-hour while I was able to get dinner ready!


The boys were a bit disappointed when I had to break the news to them that the eggs won't be added until tomorrow night. It should take another 2-6 days for the eggs to hatch. I hope we can survive the wait!

Stay tuned!

Sea Monkeys - A Blast From The Past

When I was a child, my parents would not let me buy Sea Monkeys. I really wanted them! I was sucked in by the ads that were placed in the comic books we read back in the 60's. I was convinced that this is how they looked. ( see above image ) I fantasized about growing these tiny underwater people and how they would be my tiny pet-friends. My dad refused to let me waste my allowance on brine shrimp.

Almost 40 years later, I came across this blast through one of my wholesalers.

I once again felt the urge to own these mail order pets.

I asked my boys what they thought about Sea-Monkeys. In addition to the picture in the catalog, I showed them a few actual images from the web. "Ew!!! They look like mosquito larvae!" was the response.








Yet when the Sea Monkeys Magic Castle boxes arrived at my shop, the same kids that were repulsed, suddenly wanted to take a kit home. Even though my boys were aware that the images on the package, are not what "Sea Monkeys" actually look like when hatched, they still had to have them. This is the power of good (albeit misleading) packaging!


The Best Sea Monkey Story

A while back, I was at a gathering where somehow the subject of Sea Monkeys came up in a discussion of nostalgic toys. A gentleman in our group, also a child of the 60's , was lucky enough to have owned these sea creatures. That is until his sister's friend drank them!

Why would someone drink Sea Monkeys?

Apparently the teenage friend was drunk and mistook the glass container the Sea Monkeys were in for a glass of water. She vomited after she realized what she had done. She also was afraid that she might become pregnant from swallowing these tiny sea creatures.
What would these hybrid babies look like? How would she explain this to her parents??? Who would put their beloved pets in a glass of water?

This would never have happened if only he had owned the Sea Monkey Magic Castle!!!

Welcome

Welcome to our blog! I am so excited… and a bit terrified.

So many toys, so little time. But as I am fond of saying, “Life is short, make it fun!”

Please bear with us as we get our blog and website up and running.


Thanks for your visit.