Conversation Vs. Demonstration

    In the HB house we almost always start dinner the same way. We all sit at the table, we join hands for grace, say amen together and dig in. I would like to particularly point out the part where I said sit at the table because usually that is the last time everyone is sitting voluntarily.


My Beautiful Wife and I like to start off with a round of "how was your day" to each of the children followed by an attempt at a civilized conversation. Typically, this ends with the adults completely frustrated and no meaningful conversation had by anyone. This is not meant to sound like a bad thing, kids apparently just aren't built for conversation.


After a few tries at drawing out factual information, we lose all hope of such an accomplishment as the children begin to morph into, well, little me's. I am self diagnosed, and My Beautiful Wife agrees, with adult onset ADD. As a matter of fact most of the people in my life agree. For some reason, and I can only assume it's something in the genes, my children HAVE to act out each and every move in each and every conversation.


Mini Buns had dancing in gym class today and they did the limbo. What's that, you don't know what it looks like to do the limbo? Don't worry, my little 6' tall 13 year old Sour Dough will show us. Cheddar Buns went on a class trip to the aquarium today. What's that, you don't know how an octopus swims? Don't worry, Sticky Buns can do the octopus swim and he'll even throw in a little back stroke on the kitchen floor for good measure.


If anyone could see into my house at dinner time they would be absolutely amazed. As a matter of fact I'm considering charging a fee to ALLOW people to watch us eat dinner. It's like watching charades really, and hey the Game show Pictionary was popular, wasn't it? To the outsider looking in I suppose it would be quite entertaining, but to be honest I would just once like to sit down, eat dinner, and have some conversation without the demonstration.