I received a Word-of-the-Day email from an online dictionary and Neva likes to read the words with me. Yesterday, the word was limpid. As I read the definitions to her, she listened intently.
"Absolutely serene and untroubled," I read.
"Uh, I'm not that," she said.
Happy sweeping!
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Lost in Translation ...
"Mom," Neva asked one day, "if you speak français, how come I can't?"
While I used to be almost fluent -- French immersion classes through elementary and secondary school, plus a 3-month student exchange in France -- I haven't had occasion to use French much since University. I think I'd have to be immersed again to regain my knowledge.
"Well, just because I learned to speak French, doesn't mean you would be born knowing how to speak it. And Daddy and I don't speak French to each other so you couldn't pick it up."
"Can you teach me to speak français someday?" she asked.
"Oh boy," I muttered.
"What does that mean?!"
Happy sweeping!
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
While I used to be almost fluent -- French immersion classes through elementary and secondary school, plus a 3-month student exchange in France -- I haven't had occasion to use French much since University. I think I'd have to be immersed again to regain my knowledge.
"Well, just because I learned to speak French, doesn't mean you would be born knowing how to speak it. And Daddy and I don't speak French to each other so you couldn't pick it up."
"Can you teach me to speak français someday?" she asked.
"Oh boy," I muttered.
"What does that mean?!"
Happy sweeping!
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
An Offer You Can't Refuse ...
One of our first measures of discipline in our house is the loss of privileges, such as television, computer, play dates or telephone. As a rule, we also allow the kids to earn back that privilege with good behavior. While we know that negotiation is a skill they will test out in these circumstances, Bob and I never thought it would turn to bribery.
Neva was discussing with Bob how she could earn back television to watch her favorite show after school. She wasn't getting far with him so she went to her dwindling stash of Halloween treats and counted her prized candy bars.
"If you let me watch TV, I'll give you a Coffee Crisp," she said, dangling the proverbial carrot in front of her father's nose, knowing it was his favourite too.
Laughing, Bob declined the offer but added, "It almost worked though."
With only a moment's hesitation, Neva upped the ante: "Two Coffee Crisps?!"
Happy sweeping!
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
Neva was discussing with Bob how she could earn back television to watch her favorite show after school. She wasn't getting far with him so she went to her dwindling stash of Halloween treats and counted her prized candy bars.
"If you let me watch TV, I'll give you a Coffee Crisp," she said, dangling the proverbial carrot in front of her father's nose, knowing it was his favourite too.
Laughing, Bob declined the offer but added, "It almost worked though."
With only a moment's hesitation, Neva upped the ante: "Two Coffee Crisps?!"
Happy sweeping!
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
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