Three

Today is Rainy’s birthday and she turned 3-years-old. Last night we went out as a family to PetSmart and got her a beta fish for her birthday–an animal that is at least somewhat doable for a traveling family with our pattern of home absenteeism. The less maintenance the better, I say. If it were up to me, he’d probably get fed once a month, but with Rainy at the controls, he’s bound to get a one-item buffet everyday, multiple times a day.

One good thing is, since he’s practically indistinguishable from any other beta fish, if he dies, we might be able to switch him out with a similar fish without Rainy’s knowledge. That’s always a plus. Of course, at this age, she’s keenly aware of things going on around her, so that might not work after all. Regardless, he’s Rainy’s fish for now, and she named him Nemo–a name that I’m certain every 3-year-old in America who owns a fish has utilized in recent years. Though I might have chosen a more unique name (like Flipper), she loves him dearly already.

She talks to him and he/she (who can tell?) talks back. Tonight Nemo told Rainy that he loved her. In fact, Nemo loves everyone in our family. What a sweet fish we have! What a cool daughter I have!