Thursday, January 6, 2011

Dinner Conversation

One of my favorite things about teaching middle school age kids is that they understand sarcasm, but are still relatively obedient.  Benjamin, who is in 5th grade, is beginning to discover how sarcasm can be used in humor.  (We try to discourage it in other forms, like to be mean.)

And here is a brief glimpse into last night's dinner conversation:

Nathaniel:  Mom, why haven't you finished reading the Pokemon Ultimate Handbook yet???  You've been stuck on the "E" section for weeks now!   All of us read it in like 3 days!!

Me:  Nathaniel, the difference between you reading and me reading it is that you care about it.

Todd: [snort]  (he was drinking at the time, but it wasn't quite funny enough for him to get it up his nose.)

Nathaniel:  Well, that's mean.

Me:  No, it's not.  I have lots of things that I'm interested in that don't interest you guys.

Benjamin:  Like what?

Me:  Like Pride and Prejudice.

Nathaniel:  I like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

Me:  I mean regular Pride and Prejudice.  How about you sit down with me one night and we can watch all 4 hours of the movie together. Pride and Prejudice (Restored Edition)

Benjamin:  What is Pride and Prejudice about?

Me:  5 daughters.  Who talk.

Todd:  For 4 hours.  [Can you tell he's not such a fan?]

Me:  Well, sometimes they walk.

Benjamin: [fist pumped in the air] Woo hoo!  Action!!  That's MY kind of movie!  Walking???  Excellent!

Nathaniel:  Can we have popcorn and movie candy and drinks while we watch it?

Me:  Sure.

Nathaniel:  Okay.  I'll watch it.

Benjamin:  Action movies are awesome!
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This is a fun age!  I feel like I have to capture all of the wonderful and fun moments now in preparation for the gathering storm of teenager to come.  I have seen it in action.  It ain't pretty.

6 comments:

Mom24 said...

At least you're reading the Pokemon Handbook. Please do not let Jacob know that. I would have no peace. :)

For what it's worth, and I'm knocking on wood like crazy as I know I'm only 2/4 of the way there, teenage years don't always equal storms. I know you've been through a lot, but it's possible to actually enjoy that time. I honestly had heard so many horror stories and lived through so much as I was growing up, I did not know that. I wish that for you. And for me, as, as I said, I still have 2 to go, :)

Beth said...

Wow, I am impressed that you even agreed to read the Pokemon book. I am pretty sure that I have fallen asleep with my eyes open while listening to Dillon ramble on about Pokemon.

Emilia said...

well, it's taken about a year of them cajoling me, and I kind of feel bad because i just. don't. care. when they talk about it. and i know it's important to them, so i figured i should try something to understand what comes out of their mouths on an almost constant basis.

thanks for the words of encouragement, stacey. though, for what it's worth, i was a nightmare of a teenager, too, so i figure i'm due for a few doozies.

MTodd said...

i like pride and prejudice. My favorite part is when Bruce Wayne dons his cowl and fights Joker...

Emilia said...

Todd, don't be ridiculous. Bruce Wayne is in Northanger Abbey NOT Pride and Prejudice!

Jen said...

I loved talking to Benjamin when you guys were out here a few months ago. I can't believe how much he's grown up... it's like talking to a small adult! Love that kid.