Mr. Bubbles Part 1, 2 and 3

Part One

Somebody decided Bean needed a friend. Her brother and sister are heading off to school in a few days and she would be left to her own amusement with only her Mommy as company. So somebody bought her a friend.

Meet Mr. Bubbles:

Mr. Bubbles quickly became a favorite of everyone in the house (including myself). Bean was absolutley beside herself with joy at having her own pet and Mr. Bubbles quickly became her bestest friend:
Sadly, Mr. Bubbles had not been a member of the house for very long when we realized that all was not well. It seemed that the cute kitchen table bowl was not large enough for such a rotund Mr. Bubbles and that he required a pump for extra oxygen.

So Sunday morning we piled the family in the car on a mission to upgrade Mr. Bubble's living arrangements. We bought him a spacious 5 gallon tank, complete with ceiling lights, filter and a central oxygen deployment unit. As a housewarming gift he received 10 ghost shrimp for pals and a water plant to set the mood in case there was ever a future Mrs. Bubbles. All seemed to be going well and good. Bean was very excited to show Mr. Bubbles his new house.

Once we got home though, our worst fears had been realized. Mr. Bubbles was sleeping with the fishes (I know..that's horrid..but it's too funny to pass up). Alex and Liberty were very upset at the loss of our newest pet and temporary chaos ensued.

Amidst all of the commotion and consoling we all realized that Bean was standing there talking to Mr. Bubbles and trying to get him to swim. We all stood there for a moment and then I made the executive decision to explain to Bean that Mr. Bubbles was very sleepy and taking a nap.

R.I.P. Mr. Bubbles

Part Two

Once I had Bean convinced that Mr. Bubbles was taking a nap, Alex, Liberty and I got back into the car and headed to Wal-mart to purchase a 'replacement' . We managed to find an almost exact clone and also purchased another fish so the (new) Mr. Bubbles wouldn't be lonely in his 5 gallon condo (ghost shrimp really don't take up that much room).

We arrived back home to put (new) Mr. Bubbles in his home and Bean promptly named the new fish 'Friend'. So now we have (new) Mr. Bubbles and Friend both happily living it up and partying with their ghost shrimp.

Bean went to bed easily and happily once she kissed them both goodnight and turned off their light so they could also go night night.

Catastrophe avoided.

Part Three

You thought the story was over didn't you? At this point you were getting ready to comment how lucky I was that Bean is only Two years old and bought the whole 'nappy' theory. You had visions of (new) Mr. Bubbles, Friend, and their 10 ghost shrimp living it up in style, floating happily and basking in the love and care of my adorable angel.

Well....Not so much.

This morning Prince Charming and I noticed that, once again, (new) Mr. Bubbles wasn't looking so good. He wasn't exactly green around the gills (OMG. I know. I just can't resist though), but it didn't seem right that he be swimming nose down and tail up.

I panicked. I worried. I wept (okay..I didn't really weep..but I was very very sad).

I kept a close eye on both (new)Mr. Bubbles and Friend. Oddly enough it only seemed to be (new)Mr. Bubbles that was affected. (The 10 ghost shrimp were fine. Brave survivors they are.)

I am sad to say that shortly after Bean woke up this morning and fed (new)Mr. Bubbles and Friend that we found (new)Mr. Bubbles had also gotten very 'seepy' and was also taking a permanent 'nappy'.

Now poor Friend is friendless and has been left to care for the 10 ghost shrimp all by himself.

Tonight I will be heading back to Wal-mart with receipt and frozen (new)Mr. Bubbles in hand to attempt find another replacement.

Stay tuned for the continuing saga of the (new)(new) Mr. Bubbles and Friend....