We’re at the dinner table when Nathan decides to pull out his newly acquired joke. He turns to my mom, who has joined us for dinner.
“Grandma, I have a new one. But it doesn’t mean anything for you. It's not really about you. Okay? So don’t get upset. Okay, What’s your name?” “Grandma.” “What’s this?” he asks, pointing to his face. “Nose.” “What’s in my hands?” he prompts, holding out cupped palms. “Nothing.” “Get it?” he grins. “Grandma. Knows. Nothing. Grandma knows nothing.” He chuckles to himself, shifting his eyes to me, likely making sure he’s not going to get in trouble for mildly insulting someone. For a moment I feel like the judge determining I'll allow it. I chuckle and shake my head. Nathan sits a little taller, presumably thinking he’s gotten away with something big. Adam erupts into a fit of laughter, and then tries the joke with his papi, which further propels him into hysteria. Adam has always been our first rate charmer, who knows how to command a room and provide entertainment to all, who is genuinely funny and can maneuver his way out of his fair share of consequence-bound situations. But he’s still figuring jokes out. They’re just out of reach for him generally still beyond his newly 4-year-old mind. His favorite self-made joke of all time (which still makes an appearance a year and a half later) is: Why did the chicken cross the road? Because he didn’t want to… squawk! Not to be bested, Nathan’s joke prompts Adam to join in. He pulls out another recent find: Knock, knock. Who’s there? Kanga. Kanga who? It’s Kanga-ROO, not Kanga-who! Getting some laughs, he continues: “Grandma. Grandma, knock, knock” “Who’s there?” “Orange.” I can see where this is going. I lean over and whisper, “You meant to say banana. Say banana.” “Orange who?” my mom answers in the meantime. Adam presses on. “Orange you banana I didn’t say orange…again?” You can immediately read all over his face that he knows that didn’t go quite according to plan, but also that he has no idea why. It’s so earnestly funny that the table explodes with laughter. Of course, in the center of it all, basking in the glory that is getting tear-inducing, belly laughs from those around you, is Adam. And while we have many stories of how Adam has tickled our funny bones throughout his life, this might just be my favorite punchline yet.
1 Comment
Sara T.
3/3/2022 04:55:49 pm
Omg...within seconds of reading your blog I was wondering if your kids watch Bluey. Bluey or Bingo pull the Mom Knows Nothing over on their parents in one of their episodes and my kids try to trick me with it alllllll the time! Your boys are too cute. I'm so glad you're capturing these moments in time.
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