The writing assignment asked for specific nouns in place of generic nouns. 

In place of “dog”, she put “husky”. In place of “celebrity”, she put “Whitney Houston”.

She did this in silence until something broke her rhythm causing her to speak up to clarify that her specific nouns are not necessarily nouns that she likes. I responded, “Ok, why are you telling me this?”

“Because I am going to put ‘broccoli’ in place of ‘vegetable’ and I don’t want you to think that I like broccoli. I don’t.”

Nodding my head in understanding I half-answered back, “Ok… carry on, my dear.”

She began to write then immediately stopped. “Wait! Is it broccol-E or broccol-i?” 

She was working out the spelling.

“Broccol-i” I answered, with the emphasis on the “i”. 

She offered her thanks and began to write again.

A few seconds later, Connor interrupted from the other side of the table. Without even looking up he stated, “Cayden, it ends with just an “i” not an “ie” to make that long “i” sound.” 

Feeling like I missed something and somehow failed her as a teacher I directed my defense at him, “She knows that. She knows that it ends with an ‘’i’.” 

He continued to look at his work and answered steadily, “Are you sure about that, Mom?”

I glanced over to see her erasing her work.

“You knew that, right Cayden? Tell me you didn’t spell it with an “ie” at the end?”

“I didn’t mom. Don’t worry.” she smiled and began to write again.

Whew! I thought to myself. See! I knew I didn’t miss anything.

Connor still thought he knew better. “Then how did you end the word, Cayden?” he remarked, with a casual glance in her direction.

“I ended it with and “i-y”, but I erased the “y”, so we’re good.”

I could feel his eyes move over to capture my reaction, but I chose to pretend that I didn’t hear the exchange.

He sighed and went back to his work knowing the truth, as I causally added “broccoli” to the weekly spelling list.

Oh, the many joys of homeschooling.