I know, I know.  Kids are supposed to give away surprises.  It’s what they do.  If you want to keep a secret, don’t tell your children.  STILL, I feel a little…put out.  I have to laugh at myself, thinking my girls could keep a kitten a secret.  It’s a KITTEN.  The Holy Grail of the under-12 set. “Daddy!  We got you the Holy Grail!” And he probably would have guessed kitten.

I took this picture last weekend at the Columbus Zoo.  Screw it.  I drove over today and picked up this gem of a pet.  I’ll show my family to give away my secrets.  Meet our new gorilla.  She’s kind of pissed off.  She ‘s a Mom.  It comes with the territory.  I named her Gertrude, and she makes the rules now. She’s not terribly cuddly, but she makes up for it with IQ points.  And the ability to strangle any kid who can’t keep a secret in the weeks preceding Daddy’s birthday.

Hey, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: we don’t pick our pets.  They pick us.  Welcome home Gertie.  Please don’t eat the girls (or the new kitten).