We have fish. Yes, fish.

Meet Dorothy Goldie, Ruby Goldie, and George Washington Fishy Fish Fish.  They are ours.

Apparently two big dogs and the promise of lizards isn't enough in the Breslar-Smith pet department.

The great thing (NOT) about the great play places here [see November post] is that not only can you wear your kids out in a secure area with only the nanny supervising, but you get treats to take home.. like live fish.  Last time we were there (important detail: with me) Jaffa and Eben were allowed to take the fish for a walk (in their bags), but then they had to surrender them back to the artificial pond that they came from to play with all of their other fish friends.

Because of the French school's extended winter break--designed for fabulous ski vacations and very relevant to Indonesia--my kids got to go to one of these play places so that we could all get out of each other's hair, and were told NOT to come home with fish.  Sikom was also told NOT to come home with fish.  And now, we have fish.  Apparently these were the very last fish in the place and they would be VERY LONELY if they were to have been left there.  Because fish have feelings.

I don't know the first thing about taking care of fish.. but they have lived almost a week now in what used to be a vase, and they even have their very own plant.  So for now we are happy. We did have the conversation about how fish are ephemeral.. just like balloons (and drivers, but more on that later). 

So, when they die, we will be sad. And we might even cry. But we will not get anymore fish.

Update: 2 March.  Ruby was found floating this morning in her bowl.  It was sad, we cried :(  Then we buried her in the yard under the lime tree, and Jaffa put flowers on top of her little grave.  We had a conversation later, at dinner, about Buddhism.. and how Buddhists only eat the meat of animals that have died naturally.  Jaffa said, "like my fish, but there isn't enough meat on my fish--except maybe for a mouse sandwich."

RIP Ruby.

Update: 17 March.  The two are still chugging along, getting bigger. Jaffa has now labeled them.  Wonder what she would label me.. probably, "Mommy. Controller of TV privileges and mosquito bite scratcher."

Update: 20 March.  Went to a birthday party and got another fish.  I think I might need to give up on not having them as it seems to be a losing battle. Anyway, this one is much bigger than the others so we named him Giatno after our friend Pammi's very big driver who can't possibly be Javanese.  Maybe Sumatran.

He was flattered :)

Update: March 26.  Now, we have no fish :(  It was a rough weekend as we had three fish funerals.  I could venture a guess as to why, but I'm not sure.  I am sure that we don't know how to take care of them, and that the internet isn't all too helpful.  Everyone here understands now why we will not be bringing anymore fish into the house.. they are ephemeral and it is sad.  RIP fish.