"But it was free!"

"But it was free!" is a common phrase heard around the Oldberg household (coming particularly from Andre and his siblings), and a part of me has come to dread trying to convince him that we really don't need whatever it is he's found, and that we don't have the space for it or whatever. Well, today Andre came home for lunch and brought Sierra a "gift", accompanied with the words "it was free" when he first walked in the door...a hamster, complete with cage, ball and contraptions, and food! He thought she would like it (I was thinking he could have waited until she was two or three, rather than barely 1!)--I think he likes it more than she does! A coworker of his was getting rid of "Nibbles" the hamster and Andre promptly volunteered to take it...we have no need of a hamster in our house, but I conceded enough to say it could be here on trial a few days as long as he'd get rid of it if I decided I didn't want it (notice the 1-year-old has no say in the matter!). So Nibbles is temporarily residing in our home. I'd post a picture but he's spent most of the day curled up in one his colored wheels.