Friday, October 27, 2006

Do I mumble that much?

While reading The Winged Watchman aloud the other day, Ramona suddenly stopped me and said, "What's a bumpoofle-dee-dee?"

I said, "A what? Where did you hear that, honey?"

"You! You just read it a minute ago."

"I did?"

"Yes. You said Bumpoofle-dee-dee."

Thoroughly confused, I skimmed back over what I'd just read and found this phrase: Some people think electricity is foolproof and easy.

"Oh! Honey, no -- " I corrected, "I said, 'foolproof and easy.' Not bumpoofle-dee-dee."

Anne and Betsy were besides themselves with giggles.

But, oh, it got worse at dinner time. The girls were recounting the misunderstanding to Atticus. Anne said, "Daddy, can I tell you about Bumpoofle-dee-dee?"

"Huh?" said Atticus, understandably foggy after a day of teaching high schoolers. "One poopy baby?"

If I thought the girls had a good giggle at breakfast, it was nothing compared to this laughfest. Anne spit applesauce across the table onto Betsy, and Ramona latched onto the phrase, which she could repeat endlessly, sending her sisters into fits and guffaws.

When everyone finally quieted down, I told the origin of the story to Atticus, but it seemed to have lost its punch. We do, however, have a new family word.

Perhaps we need to add elocution to our curriculum?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's funny! I didn't know your husband is a AP teacher (until I read my comments). That must be very interesting!

Suzanne Temple said...

What fun!

The Bookworm said...

Hmmm ... I could offer you one poopy baby ... what could your family turn her into?

Anonymous said...

Hysterically funny. Thanks for sharing. I love family laughfests. They are very good for the soul.

Anonymous said...

Oops! Anonymous above is me Faith from Dumbox.

Ana Braga-Henebry said...

I invariably mumble as I fight sleep while reading history to numbers Four and Five... and I love History. Go figure.

Anonymous said...

LOL! That is a wonderful story. :)