My mother (who you can now follow/harass/talk to on twitter) always provides wonderful gifts for me the kids. Since the kids started school we’ve had a dinner table tradition of asking the same question every night at dinner.
What was the best part of your day?
The rules are simple, you have to answer with something that happened before dinner time, something from school, work or the community. We did this for years, and it’s a great way to get the kids to talk about their days.
Until it wasn’t. They started getting snippy and sassy, and we realized they were bored by the same question every night, even though my husband and I were comforted by the routine.
My Mom showed up with a great gift a few weeks ago. Table topics.
Table topics is a clear box with cards inside it. You grab one at random, and have everyone at the table answer the question. Tonight it was this.
I went first, Jane asked me what I’d most like to ask god and I said, “I’d like to know what happens when you die.”
“Oh,” she whispered, “I’d ask him if heaven was real.”
“I know the answer to that.” Says my irreverent husband, “When you die, that’s it, you’re dead. Game over.”
Alexander, not to be outdone says, “I’d ask him if the Giants are going to win the Superbowl again.”
“I don’t think god cares about the Giants and the Superbowl.” I said.
“Of course god cares about the Giants and the Superbowl. Obviously we’re being punished for our sins. Who else but god could make Plaxico shoot himself in the leg and take the entire defense with him? Who else but god could do that?” My husband is all but hopping out of his chair.
As Alexander watches my shoulders creep toward my ears and my anxiety level raise, he delivers the coup de gras, “Mom, why did you name me after a hockey player?”
“I don’t know son, please ask your father.” I utter in defeat.
Because he was six and half years old when the hockey news was delivered. I thought we just liked the name.
Yeah, weird.
I’ll let you keep thinking your weird.
But obviously? My family corners the market on weird. :)
I got something similar for us for Xmas – the Chatterbox. But I liked your earlier post about how dinner time isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. No matter how interesting we try and make it, we’re all still susceptible to moods.
And my girls would tell you we’re definitely weirder.
I’m shocked that my family is fat because we talk so damned much we shouldn’t have the chance to eat.
Thanks for stopping by and a big thank you for the bookmark. Your words are kind, thank you….I needed a little ego-boost. If it is okay with you, please let your children know that I would love to have their feedback. Make comments.
Though I write with the youngsters in mind – I don’t have any of my own – so I’d like to know who I’m hitting the mark. Too complex, not enough, want more, etc. The page is for them (kids and adults who teach/mentor/raise them) so please let me know how it goes.
Have a great day.
I think your family is very creative and intelligent. Not weird at all. Then again, I have to confess, I have some family members that are very odd–don’t think anyone comes close to being so out there lol.
I prefer to think of us as “unique” not “weird” ;-)