I have been staying at my sister’s home because my mother is in the hospital. The other evening at dinner my 6-year-old niece commented “someone farted! F-A-R-T” My sister informed her that wasn’t polite and we don’t mention such things at the dinner table. My 10-year-old niece chimed in “you shouldn’t say farted instead you should say who cut the cheese!” My brother-in-law instantly stated “you are grounded for a month and this is why children shouldn’t go to school”. I was expecting to hear my sister say something but there was silence. I glanced in her direction and she was sitting there absolutely dumbfounded. I have never seen my sister look so totally confused and bewildered. I looked at my 10-year-old niece and said “you have left your mother speechless.”

After a moment or two my sister could finally formulate words. And to be honest, I don’t know what she said I was trying to hold it together. I kept looking down at my plate, I grabbed another napkin but I couldn’t help myself and I burst into laughter. My sister started laughing as well. It was the perfect remedy for a very stressful week. The whole scene still makes me chuckle. I am not sure what is funnier the fact that my 10-year-old niece truly thought she was helping the 6-year-old because everyone knows you shouldn’t say fart but no one ever said you shouldn’t use the words cut and cheese. Or the look on my sister’s face.

Not to worry the 10-year-old has been informed not to use that expression. 🙂