why do we educate our children?

so, the problem with children learning to read and spell is that they still cannot hear. well, properly.

there are quite a few words that we do not say in front of the kids and have opted to spell instead. the list includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• fat
• kill
• stupid
• candy

for the most part, this list is pretty self explanatory. however, the other night the method failed in the most miserable of all ways.

the actual conversation:

kyle was worried about some steak he just grilled and was asking me if it was too pink. i assured him that the steak was fine and he responded, "that's what you think and all of a sudden i k-i-l-l-e-d my whole family...except for jack." (jack was not eating steak) i laughed.

what harper heard:

harper looked up in horror and asked "why did you just say you would kill your whole family except for jack?!"

kyle, shocked and desperate to assure her that he said no such thing, defended himself. i mean this is one miscommunication that could have drastic social and mental hang ups for a child.

calvary, not nearly as disturbed as harper, explained to harper the "except for jack" part of the conversation was because he was "too fast".

eventually, harper grasped the concept of what was actually said and i think for the moment we are going to take a hiatus from spelling and brush up on our spanish...she's not as good at that. she still thinks her spanish teacher's name, Senor Long, is Cinco Larko...so were safe with the spanish...