The Newest Member of Our Family

Yesterday morning, Steve was in the kitchen and heard little feet coming down the stairs.  As Henry rounded the last step, he held up one finger and said, "No time for chit-chat.  I have to eat breakfast.  I'm getting a fish today."

Meet Sparky.

Henry's biggest wish for his birthday was to get a fish.  Well, it started as a remote controlled fish that he saw on TV.  But I couldn't believe that would last more than 5 minutes in a bowl surrounded by 3 little boys.  So the wish slowly turned into a real live fish that he SWORE he would take care of. 

So, at the weekend family birthday party, he got a bowl, plastic plant and rocks from his grandma and pop.  And a picture of a fish from his parents...which he turned in for the betta fish seen above.

Why a betta?  We spent about 20 minutes at the pet store looking at the wall of hundreds of fish in aerated tanks, going back and forth choosing the favorite one.  Best color, shape, size...  Until we finally talked to a worker and he said there's one type of fish best for bowls.  That's the betta.  To the right of the counter. 

Made my job easy.  Pick a color, any color.  Purple it was.  His name was chosen in the car on the way to the store.  It stuck on the way home.

Welcome, Sparky.  George thinks you're his.  Jake wants to overfeed you.  And Henry didn't pay any attention to you at all this morning. 

We'll see how long you last...