It’s All Relative
Challenge: To teach sixteen-month Annabelle Smith her first
animal sound.
Persons Involved: One child, two parents, three cousins,
four grandparents and five aunts/uncles.
Mission: Six teams of two compete in teaching the child
(Annabelle) her first animal sound by spending time with her repeating the
approved sounds.
Judges: Annabelle’s parents Jack and Melissa Smith.
Approved Sounds: Meow and Ruffruff representing a dog and a
cat. Three teams will be assigned the
cat and three teams will be assigned the dog.
Timing: Smith/Richards Family Reunion July 5 – July 10.
Rules: Only one team at a time with Annabelle not to exceed
one hour each day per team.
Prize: To Be Determined.
“Honey? How does this look?” Not receiving a response Jack grabbed the
newly printed piece of paper from the printer and went in search of his wife
Melissa. Finding her in the basement
folding laundry he slyly added it to the top of her pile.
“What are
you working on?” Melissa asked.
“Oh, just
something to make our reunion a little more fun, and competitive,” Jack
winked.
“Let me see
that.” Snatching the paper from under Annabelle’s pants Melissa began to read
the paper. “Sounds interesting. Do you
really think this is a good idea? Aren’t
some of her cousins a little too small?
Arianna is only 4,” Melissa reminded her husband.
Jack looked
over her shoulder and pointed out their role as judges. “See that is the beauty of it. We will determine who is teamed
together. We can match experience with
enthusiasm.”
“Well,
alright. Let’s do it. Let me finish the
laundry and we can e-mail our families while Annabelle is still napping.”
Two hours
later the Smith’s received their first response in the form of a phone call
from Auntie Becca Richards, the youngest of Melissa’s two siblings.
“Melissa,
who came up with the challenge? I think
it is brilliant. Can you tell me who I
will be matched with?” Becca pleaded.
Placing the phone against her ear
while stirring her spaghetti sauce Melissa paused in her response.
“Are you there?” Becca asked.
“It was Jack. He wants to make our time together more fun
and competitive. I think he forgets that our family always take challenges
seriously,” Melissa chuckled.
In her best voice of defeat Becca
sighed, “In other words, I will have to wait for my partner.”
“That’s right. See you in two weeks!” Melissa placed her phone on the counter and
continued preparing her dinner.
July 5:
Tampa, Florida
An air of
excitement permeated Grandpa and Grandma Smith’s roomy dining room where the
family was all gathered for the afternoon meal.
Jack’s
older brother Bob turned to his sister-in-law and handed her the mashed
potatoes. “So Melissa, when will we
start this challenge Jack organized?”
“After
lunch,” Jack responded from across the table amidst settling Annabelle into her
high chair. “Thank you mom for this delicious meal.”
One hour later
over lemonade and banana bread everyone settled themselves in the living room
as best as they could. Jack spoke
first. “We have our teams
assigned.” Holding up his hand he
warned, “Wait until I am finished then please find your teammate. The sounds will be chosen from my hat. The competition starts now. Any questions?”
When no one
responded Jack rattled off the names of his relatives and soon the room was
full of noise as everyone stood up to find their partners. Chattering ensued as
strategies were quietly exchanged.
July 10:
Smith Living Room
“Drumroll
please. And the winners are: Six year
old Danny Richards and Grandma Richards!
Congratulations!” Melissa handed them a scroll documenting their
achievement. “As of this morning 8 a.m. Annabelle
can now say ‘Meow’.”
“Doggie
Ruffruff” young Annabelle interrupted.
From the
largest to the smallest, everyone present erupted in deep belly laughter that
couldn’t be contained.
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