Fishbowl from the past

Everyone remembers the little fish bowls that you can win at carnival games, right? Emma received one of these as a gift when she was less than 2. All I can say is that my husband doesn't throw anything away... "because you never know when you might need it again." I'm pretty sure I never would have had a need for the fishbowl again. Ever. Emma had different thoughts when she found it in the basement. She washed it, and she asked for a fish. When I told her, "No" she looked so sad. I fell for it. I put water in the bowl and told her it had to sit on the counter for two days to allow the chlorine to evaporate. I was really stalling but it worked. She made lists of fish names. Two days later she reminded me that it was time to go and get a fish.

We went to Wal-Mart of all places to get a fish. She talked me into two fish. She said that she had to have two because one fish would be lonely in the bowl all alone. I'm a really big sucker. I fell for it. We bought two fish. She named them Carl and Faheem (she has a boy named Faheem at school and she thinks it's a cool name). The new additions to our family were brought home on Friday June 11. Saturday mid-morning Emma told me that the water was gross. Sure enough, the water was cloudy and gross. Daddy pointed out that the fish looked sad being in the little bowl. They were bumping into the glass since the bowl was so small.

You know where this is going, right?

An emergency trip to PetSmart: 10 gallon starter tank, rocks, and plants were purchased. $72 later, Emma, Carl, and Faheem were all happy. Mommy? Well, on Sunday Emma left to start her vacation with Grandma and Grandpa Misterka. Mommy got left behind with the grandfish.

And I'm not thoroughly convinced that the bowl was "too small." I think the fish like to look at their reflection in the glass or maybe they like the way the glass feels on their nose. Do fish have noses?