Who’s on Surp?
I was cleaning the bathroom this morning when Jane came in to ask me how to pronounce the word "usurp." She had seen it in print a number of times but wasn’t sure how to say it. I told her, and then Rose wanted to know what it meant. So I gave some examples, including: "Or let’s say you’re sitting on my lap and I send you to get a tissue, and while you’re up, one of your sisters climbs in your place."
Rose started to giggle. "A usurper!"
Jane wandered back out with her book. Then Beanie came in and perched beside Rose on the edge of the tub while I wiped down the sink. Bean’s hair was wild; it hadn’t been brushed yet. I sent her to get her hairbrush and when she returned, I sat down on the tub’s rim to tackle her curls.
"Hey!" Bean cried indignantly. "You took my spot!"
Rose cackled. "You usurped, Mommy! You’re a usurper!"
"What’s that?" asked Beanie. Rose explained.
Bean pondered. "I think," she said, "that when a mommy surps, it’s okay."
"U-surp," Rose corrected.
Beanie was puzzled. "No I didn’t. Mommy surped."
"No, U-surp!" Rose insisted.
"I surp? But I didn’t! Mommy did!"
By this point I was choking with laughter. Beanie took my paroxysms for some kind of dismay.
"It’s okay, mommy, I don’t mind when you surp me."
"U-surp!" proclaimed Rose.
Beanie stared at her in disgust. "That’s what I SAID." She humphed out of the room before Rose could get in the last word. I sat there howling. Sorry, Abbott and Costello. Your place in my heart has been surped.
Wendy in VA says:
Dear Lissa,
I read your blog every day, and every day I think, “I need to tell her how much I enjoy this.” So now, wiping the tears of laughter from my face, I’m finally telling you… Thanks for sharing!
On April 28, 2005 at 7:21 am
Lissa says:
Wendy, I was so happy to see your email addy in my inbox! Great to hear from you–I’ve been wondering how you’re doing!
On April 28, 2005 at 11:44 am
Wendy in VA says:
I’ve been feeling pretty lousy lately, but it’s for a good cause. We’re expecting a new little one in November! After miscarrying last November, every little twinge worries me, but I have taken “Be not afraid!” as my motto for the next several months.
Thanks for suggesting (and moderating) the unschooling forum at 4Real. The discussion has been inspiring!
On May 3, 2005 at 6:15 am
alice Gunther says:
I love this story. My goddaughter is is truly adorable! BTW, this even beats the time the girls tried to get two-year-old Neil, to kneel. He had no idea what they were talking about and kept saying, “What?!”
On May 22, 2005 at 8:38 pm
The LLama Butchers says:
Abbott and Costello, OED style
The etymology of ‘surped…
On March 25, 2006 at 8:57 am
Fredrick says:
What’s up, I log on to your blog on a regular basis. Your humoristic style is awesome, keep doing what you’re
doing!
On June 8, 2013 at 3:59 am