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!