Viva la differences. . .and a mathmatical chuckle
My sister's family is a lot like our family in many ways: the four of us come from similar backgrounds; we admire our parents; we seek to live counter-culturally; we love our kids and wish to guide them well; we enjoy nothing better than sitting down together, eating, and talking for hours (and we love really good food and conducting endless taste tests); we think Jon Stewart is hilarious; we believe strongly in the value of a good education at school at at home; we can laugh together for many hours. . .in short, we love each other.
But in many ways our families differ greatly. Heather and Luke often discuss how efficiently a task may be accomplished. They are highly logical. All five are science and math whizzes. Their oldest, though nine, is already doing high school math, and his idea of a real reward is playing math games with his dad. Their kids can recite--from heart--lists like The Helping Verbs and Complete Prepositions. Luke is a doctor; Heather has her master's degree in Public Health. The kids know important historical dates and can tell you, in detail, how something like, I don't know, condensation works. On family pizza/movie nights, they watch fun science shows. Heather loves to do experiments with the kids and will even choose to do them for a fun activity.
And most of you know us. 'Nuff said.
Well, yesterday, Elspeth, who was at Anna's (their 7 year-old daughter) house, looked up and announced: "I've figured out what nonfiction is. It's a true story that happens in real life."
"That's great, Elspeth," Auntie Heather said.
Anna grinned and threw her arms wide. "Elspeth!" she said excitedly. "Today you learned about fiction and I learned about friction!"
Meanwhile, earlier that day, Bea and her cousin Eliora were chatting in the back of the Subaru on the way to Wendy's for a special treat.
Eliora: Let's play a game, Bea. It's called the "Funny Things" game.
Bea: No, thank you, Eliora.
Me: Eliora, that sounds like a fun game! Beatrix, play Eliora's game.
Bea: (grudgingly): Okay.
Eliora: So I'll point at you and you do something to make me laugh.
Bea: You go first.
(silence follows during which Bea points at Eliora)
Eliora: Okay! Two plus two equals. . . .twenty-one! Ha, ha, ha, ha!
More silence follows. . .finally I say, with too much enthusiasm, "That's funny, Eliora! Isn't that funny, Bea?"
Bea eeked out a couple 'ha, ha's.
Math humor. The Cockrofts are a tough crowd.
But in many ways our families differ greatly. Heather and Luke often discuss how efficiently a task may be accomplished. They are highly logical. All five are science and math whizzes. Their oldest, though nine, is already doing high school math, and his idea of a real reward is playing math games with his dad. Their kids can recite--from heart--lists like The Helping Verbs and Complete Prepositions. Luke is a doctor; Heather has her master's degree in Public Health. The kids know important historical dates and can tell you, in detail, how something like, I don't know, condensation works. On family pizza/movie nights, they watch fun science shows. Heather loves to do experiments with the kids and will even choose to do them for a fun activity.
And most of you know us. 'Nuff said.
Well, yesterday, Elspeth, who was at Anna's (their 7 year-old daughter) house, looked up and announced: "I've figured out what nonfiction is. It's a true story that happens in real life."
"That's great, Elspeth," Auntie Heather said.
Anna grinned and threw her arms wide. "Elspeth!" she said excitedly. "Today you learned about fiction and I learned about friction!"
Meanwhile, earlier that day, Bea and her cousin Eliora were chatting in the back of the Subaru on the way to Wendy's for a special treat.
Eliora: Let's play a game, Bea. It's called the "Funny Things" game.
Bea: No, thank you, Eliora.
Me: Eliora, that sounds like a fun game! Beatrix, play Eliora's game.
Bea: (grudgingly): Okay.
Eliora: So I'll point at you and you do something to make me laugh.
Bea: You go first.
(silence follows during which Bea points at Eliora)
Eliora: Okay! Two plus two equals. . . .twenty-one! Ha, ha, ha, ha!
More silence follows. . .finally I say, with too much enthusiasm, "That's funny, Eliora! Isn't that funny, Bea?"
Bea eeked out a couple 'ha, ha's.
Math humor. The Cockrofts are a tough crowd.
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