He's Learned to Laugh at Himself

Tonight was back to school night for Matthew. As usual, the kids had a small project ready to share with their parents. It was an acrostic poem made from the letters in their name that described things about them. Check out Matthew’s second T. It made me laugh out loud, in the middle of the class.

I’m glad he’s learned to embrace high small stature. It will make him happier than spending his whole life wishing he were taller. And I’m glad that he has embraced the humor of life as well.:-)

Learning the Gospel Can Be Fun

Tonight's scripture study degenerated into a laugh fest about anemones. Scripture time is not always reverent around here, but at least we have fun. And although at times we mock our children mercilessly (Daniel, in this case), it in no way damages their self-esteem. It makes me think that we've gotten at least some of our parenting right. All our children can laugh at themselves, not just at others. And when they do laugh at others, it is in a jovial way, not a mean spirited one.

The Fine Art of Manipulation

While I was getting dressed this morning, I overheard the following conversation:

Matthew: “I’m not getting it for you!”

Malia: [whining]

Matthew: “I’m not your slave!”

Malia: “Yes you are!”

Matthew: “I’m not your slave!”

Malia: “Yes you are!”

Matthew: “Fine, I’ll get it but I’m not your slave!”

Malia: [laughing]

It would appear that Malia has discovered that she has her brothers wrapped around her finger and is fully prepared to take advantage of that fact. I can hardly wait to see what she does to all the boys when she hits high school…(FYI: that last bit was to be read with sarcasm)

My Budding Comedian

This morning I was cleaning off my desk, a task I generally undertake when the pile of junk starts to interfere with my view of the computer screen. On the bottom I found a stack of papers I brought home from parent/teacher conferences in November. I had left it there because there was a story in Matthew’s school journal that made me laugh. It had Matthew’s personality written all over it. So I scanned it. Hope it makes you chuckle.

I think my favorite part is, “Aaaaaaaaaa!” :-)

Matthew is, and has always been, a funny kid. He grasped the subtleties of humor at a very early age. In fact, he could understand and use humor and sarcasm before Nathan could and Nathan is nearly four years older than Matthew. He can make people laugh, even though half the time that is not his intention. But I’m grateful for it. I think we all need a bit more humor in our lives.

I Made a Total Stranger Snort-Laugh

A couple of weeks ago I was grocery shopping with Matthew and Malia. We were looking for fresh ginger and when I found it the following conversation occurred:

Matthew: “What’s that?”

Me: “Fresh ginger.”

Matthew: “Is it good?”

Me: “If you eat it by itself you go bleeaah (I stuck my tongue out, make a super yucky face, you get the idea), but in stuff it’s good.”

A lady happened to pass by us just in time to hear this conversation and see the face that accompanied the “bleeaah.” I completely caught her off guard and she did the whole snort-laugh thing as she hurried by. It totally made my day that I made a complete stranger laugh simply by having a moment with my kid .

So when is the last time you made a stranger chuckle?