Improv & the Big Sky State

Mary is growing by leaps and bounds this fall. She's beginning to read (using that verb with significant leeway), and loves to "read" everything to us, even if she only recognizes the letters and not the correct pronunciation of the letters strung into a word.

That has led to some comical improvisation. For example, her class created invitations for the parents for a Thanksgiving feast. Mary proudly read me the invitation, "Come enjoy pumpkin bread and Slider." Now, Fr. Slider is our priest at St. Agatha's, where Mary goes to preschool, so perhaps she thought he would be a special guest? The invitation actually read, "Come enjoy pumpkin bread and cider."

And, last night, we were treated to more of the Mary Improv Show. Being the imaginative artist she is, she drew two hearts, cut them out, and attached them to a thin strip of paper as butterfly wings. The butterfly was spectacular. But, Mary felt something was missing. She pointed to the butterfly's little head and said, "Mom, he needs some Montanas!" "What?" "Montanas on his head...you know, those little head tails."

Now, clearly, Aunt Nikki and Uncle Ryan have been remiss in educating Mary that Montana is their glorious Big Sky state, not the little "head tails" on a butterfly. Good thing they are coming home for Christmas. Perhaps during their visit, they can set Mary straight and restore some dignity to Big Sky Country.