Isabella (the five-year-old): Daddy, Goldie (the goldfish) is a girl, right?
Me: What makes you think that?
Iz: Well, because her name is Goldie. And that’s a girl’s name.
Me: So that makes her a girl?
Iz: Yes, well… Why would we give her a girl’s name if she was a boy?
Me: Um… I’m not sure how to tell you this, but…
(Moments later.)
Iz: Blink.
(Then running to the playroom…)
Iz: Julianna!! Julianna!! Daddy says Goldie is a BOY!
Julianna flies into the room.
J: Daddy, that’s silly! She’s got to be a girl!
Me: Really? Why is that?
J: Well… Why would we give her a girl’s name if she was a boy?
Me: Um… I’m not sure how to tell you this, but…
How do you know ?