The Game of Life and Silly Sayings

Since today was Thanksgiving Eve I decided we should get the celebration under way. I told Xavier we could do whatever he wanted. He chose to play a game and asked every 30 seconds from the time I pulled in the driveway, "Can we play now?" Finally we sat down with cold ham sandwiches at the coffee table for The Game of Life. This was the first time he's really been able to do the math himself (for the most part) and work out what bills to give me. I had a sad sobering moment when he drew his Salary Card and I realized the great potential for it to be higher than mine and had to pray for God to guard my heart against covetting. It's a board game!!! He did end up with a higher salary than mine, but come on, $50,000 on each Pay Day should not cause grumbling in my heart. At one point he declared, "Look how many rich dollars I have!" I was encouraging him not to boast in that because it's all a gift and reminding him of Job - that we can lose everything we're given in this world. Just then he landed on a square saying his house was hit by a tornadoe and he had to pay some large sum to fix it. I said to myself, "There, that's what you get." I spun and landed on the same spot a moment later. God mocks proud mockers. He did win the game by a landslide and I was delighted for him.

Because I love reading kids quotes I'm compelled to share some of the ones that have made me smile this week:

During the game tonight Xavier landed on a square that said he had won a talent contest. I asked him what his talent was. He said "Like a squid's talents?" And started walking around like a penguin. It took a few seconds to realize he was thinking of 'tentacles'. I explained the difference and he said his talent would be, "Racing... with my legs."

When he landed on the space to Get Married -

Me: Yea! You're getting married! What's your bride's name?

Xavier: Umm... I'll call her "Cuteness!"

The other day driving on the bypass -

Xavier: Momma, Can I tell you a 'get it joke'?

Me: A 'get it joke'? What's that?

Xavier: A highway, get it? It's high and it's a way.

(I've been waiting for this corny joke age and it's finally hit)

A few weeks ago just laying on the living room floor together trying to make up jokes -

Xavier: Knock Knock

Me: Who's there?

Xavier: Serious

Me: (snickering) Serious Who?

Xavier: Serious Seal

I tried to explain that it doesn't make sense, that's not the way a knock knock joke works, that is wasn't really funny

Xavier: (about 30 seconds later) Then why are you still laughing?

I was still laughing over the fact that he used the word "Serious" as a punch line, I love being silly with him

Last night as we were reading about God saving for himself people from every tribe, tongue and nation I was asking Xavier to think of friends he has that don't quite look like him, that maybe have different colored skin. He didn't seem to get it.

Me: Maybe their skin isn't white like yours.

Xavier: My skin's not white! It's more Taco color.

That is in fact the name written on the crayon he uses to color people's flesh in coloring books.

And I have to throw this one in for Stacey so everyone can see it! Xavier saw a picture of Bo Derek recently (an appropriate one) and said, "That looks just like Mrs. Hoffman." You'll have to tell Al about that one.

Finally, an oldie but a goodie. I think of this every time I see Steve and Marie serving in Children's Ministry like they did last week and I expect will again this Sunday. This is a conversation Xavier and I had some Saturday several months back.

Me: Mr and Mrs Ruoss will be teaching you tomorrow.

Xavier: Ohhh (whiney)

Me: But you love them!

Xavier: I know, but they see everything I do!

Don't they serve us well? ;-)