We Are Now a Family of Six

For the last 10 days Zoe has been on a ruthless campaign to get a puppy.  She knows she wants a black puppy, she just doesn't know where to get one.  Every night, after we've failed to get a black puppy, she says, "mommy, we totally forgot to get a puppy today.  Maybe tomorrow?"  Usually I say something like, "so you want a black puppy still?  What would you name him?"  I have to change the subject before I crush all her hopes and dreams.

Now, when we're driving places, she's totally checking out stores to see if "that one sells puppies!"  I have to find routes that avoid pet stores.  I may have even lied saying, "they don't sell puppies, just leashes and puppy food." 

All the while N is just beaming with pride.  I saw my future flash before my eyes.  These two are going to "run to the store to get milk" and come home with a puppy or three. 

While out running errands we happened to go to a store that has a fish department.  It's Zoe's very favorite place in the whole store to go.  I made the foolish mistake of telling N and Zoe that I'd be right back while they looked at fish.  I came back to see them staring at the beta fish and then batting their big eyes at me.  They know my kryptonite.  We got a beta.  Zoe carried him through the store like he was precious gold. 

When we got home, N was totally in his element.  They washed the tank and put it together.  Then they washed the rocks.

Then Zoe washed the red plant that she thought her new fish would LOVE.

As she was helping daddy, we asked what she wanted to name her new fish.  It came as no surprise she wanted to name him Coco.  About a year ago she saw a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episode that has a monkey named Coco on it.  Ever since then, everything is Coco.  Her bear is Coco.  Her stuffed puppy is Coco.  If she gets a black puppy, she'll be Coco.  It comes to reason that her fish will also be named Coco.

She helped daddy dump Coco into his new home.

It was that face right there that made my future of cleaning the tank and taking care of Coco totally worth it.

Now this is where I find Zoe all the time.  Next to Coco, talking to him, asking him if everything is good and giving me a play-by-play of Coco's every move. 

We are pleased to introduce Coco.  He will be loved to pieces by a little girl who has finally stopped asking about her black puppy.  Welcome to the family Coco.  You have saved me another 10 days of dodging the ball.  I never knew I could love a fish so much!