Fun & Games

My kids were so excited to go to a school carnival with their cousins Aiden & Paige.  Junk food.  Face painting.  Hair color.  Games.  What kid wouldn't want to go to the carnival?  The focal point of this carnival was winning goldfish. 

Aiden had lobbied to go to his school carnival for one purpose and one purpose only.  To win a goldfish.  He had brought his cousins up to speed on the possibility of bringing home a fish in a cup and how wonderful that would be.  They were stoked.  They each tried several times to get that quarter through the water and into the very tiny cup (a shot glass, really).  The first lucky contestant to score a fish was Ashton.

Soon each of them secured their prize and they were on their way.  Four goldfish each in their own McDonald's cup.  A very exciting day for all.

We're (Aaron & I) not fish people.  We have a cat, that's enough.  Saying we were unprepared for these fish was an understatement.  I headed into Pet Supplies Plus wandering the aquatic isle aimlessly.  My mission was to find a cheap fish bowl, a net to transport them from cup to bowl and some food.  Mission accomplished!  I walked out having spent $15 for these two fish that cost twenty cents.  We were officially ready for fish.

We've done a great job of keeping these new additions alive.  At least until tonight.  One minute Ashton's fish was eating, the next it was arched and floating. 

"Aaron, the fish is dead."  Ashton comes running over to the counter.  "Can we flush it?!"  No child should be that excited to dispose of a pet.  "Yes, buddy, you can flush it."  After Aaron & Ashton had the burial at sea, Ashton came bouncing back into the kitchen to check on the other fish.  "Can we flush Sidney's fish too?"  "No, Ashton, Sidney's fish is still alive."  "I can't wait until it dies...then I can flush it!"

I guess it's all fun and games until your fish dies.  ...then it's more fun!