Pop Quiz

by Marinka on November 15, 2010

What better way to start the week than with a Pop Quiz?

Let’s review: A few weeks ago, we learned that my kids make weekly chore charts and alternate chores, such as setting the table, clearing the table, taking out the trash and the recycling and unloading the dishwasher.

Now, what do you suppose happened last week when my 12 year old daughter accidentally and without malice and forethought set the table one night, on the same night when it was Young Ladrinka’s turn to set said table? Normally, I would ask for your answer to be in essay form, complete with illustrations, footnotes and a small but meaningful bribe to help with the grading curve, but because my generous spirit knows no bounds, I’ll make this quiz multiple choice.

When Marinka’s daughter realized that she set the dinner table when it was really Young Ladrinka’s turn to set it, she:

1. Smiled peacefully. “Anything that I can do to help my brother, I’m happy to do! After all, we are a family and must look out for each other. For when our parents are dead, we will have no one closer! And I love my brother.”

2. Crinkled her nose and said, “Hey, Young Ladrinka! Funny story! I set the table tonight and it wasn’t even my turn! What say you set it for me tomorrow instead, when it is my turn, so we’ll switch?”

3. Groaned a groan that registered on the Richter Scale and then took every single plate, napkin, utensil, and glass and put then back wherefrom they came so that Young Ladrinka would have to reset the table himself.

One year ago ...

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{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }

Lynn MacDonald November 15, 2010 at 8:22 am

I’m guessing number three if your kids are like mine (I have three). In about 10-12 years, things will improve!

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Awesome dude November 15, 2010 at 8:44 am

I believe that you have a script for new “Roots”movie.

## 3 of course.

What should I buy her as an encouragement?

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Renee November 15, 2010 at 9:24 am

Oh My God. Even before I read your multiple choices, I thought: No way she let that one go. She definitely removed all the place settings! So #3.

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the mama bird diaries
Twitter:
November 15, 2010 at 9:46 am

No, she didn’t. Sibling love is so beautiful.

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Jennifer
Twitter:
November 15, 2010 at 10:06 am

My daughter would have done exactly the same thing. It’s why I’m aging so fast.

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Finn
Twitter:
November 15, 2010 at 10:26 am

If it’s #3, that’s friggin’ awesome. Said the woman with one child.

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annie November 15, 2010 at 10:34 am

Well that was my choice even before I read your options. But only because that’s exactly what any of my kids would do.

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Glamamom
Twitter:
November 15, 2010 at 10:36 am

Well I know what I would do…#3 all the way.

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Whitney
Twitter:
November 15, 2010 at 10:52 am

Def #3!! I have a younger brother and I would have done the same thing!

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Bekah November 15, 2010 at 11:12 am

Abso-frickin-lutely #3. Because that’s exactly what I would have done to my sister.

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Nona
Twitter:
November 15, 2010 at 11:34 am

No doubt, #3. That’s what I would have done at that age. Hell, that’s what I would do at *this* age. Note: I am not a good role model for kids.

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Keyona
Twitter:
November 15, 2010 at 11:57 am

Choices 1 and 2 would never happen. Do I get extra credit for guessing that not only did she go with choice 3 but that Young Landrinka may have whined about how unfair it was?

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Mara November 15, 2010 at 12:10 pm

#3 is the only possible answer!! Its the only thing that ANY of my kids would have done!

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Hamlet's Mistress
Twitter:
November 15, 2010 at 12:20 pm

I would hope 2… but I’m guessing 3. Because that’s what I would have done.

HM

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CSY November 15, 2010 at 12:31 pm

Oh, yeah – definitely#3! My kids would’ve done the SAME thing!

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Yuliya
Twitter:
November 15, 2010 at 12:45 pm

I knew the answer before hearing the options, do I get extra credit?

My tale of woe? No siblings to share table setting for dinner duties with. Well that and growing up in the Soviet Union we didn’t have a table. Or dinner.

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Sophie@Fabrications November 15, 2010 at 1:32 pm

If I were here, I’d ask for a rebate or whatever, for the following week. And whine about it. For a week.

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Issa
Twitter:
November 15, 2010 at 2:00 pm

She’s twelve years old right? I’ll go with number 3.

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aims November 15, 2010 at 2:46 pm

my kids would definitely choose #3!!!

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joeinvegas November 15, 2010 at 4:27 pm

Yea, after three kids I’ll have to go with the crowd and say #3

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reiven November 15, 2010 at 5:26 pm

Not even Mother Theresa would choose # 1. She probably knows her brother well enough to know that he wouldn’t agree to the switch (after all his job is done!) and she would end up setting the table the next day too, so really her only option is # 3.

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elenka November 15, 2010 at 5:49 pm

She’s not stupid….so NUMBER 3!!!!!!!!!!!! For sure…….(you’re only young once….)

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Phoenix Rising
Twitter:
November 15, 2010 at 6:51 pm

#3. I recognize making the same decision in my youth.

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Dana November 15, 2010 at 7:03 pm

That’s a quiz only an only-child would give! Everybody else KNOWS the answer.
Love your blog!

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Sheila
Twitter:
November 15, 2010 at 8:09 pm

3…without a doubt.

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Christy @ cat fur to make kitten britches November 15, 2010 at 9:28 pm

Oh, I know the answer, because I’ve totally lived that scenario.

I swear sometimes you are writing my life — only, it’s usually a lot funnier when I read about it here.

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Jennifer November 15, 2010 at 10:39 pm

I love your blog – I read it every day and felt it was time I left a comment. I found you through Jill – Scary mommy- I went to college with her :). LOVE IT! Thanks and keep it up!

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dusty earth mother November 15, 2010 at 11:29 pm

I will be simply delighted if the answer is 3. Because that’s some serious commitment, and I like to see that in the youth of today.

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sdl November 15, 2010 at 11:29 pm

Wait…where’s option 4? The one where you say that since you already did the work, your brother now owes you the chore of your choosing? I think I need to have a little chat with Marinka Jr.

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The Flying Chalupa
Twitter:
November 16, 2010 at 1:15 am

Dude, it was totally #1, wasn’t it? I, too, am a sister. My love for my siblings knows no earthly bounds. Our relationships are defined by sharing, generosity, and a mutual love of Free Nights & Weekend minutes.

Oh, who the hell am I kidding. My sister just told me that she “had nothing in common with me.” I last spoke with my brother four score and seven years ago. But he’s a boy, so there’s that. However, if I could unset my sister’s table? At this very moment? Yeah. I might do it.

But we all have a mutual love of Free Nights & Weekend minutes. Which we use not to call each other.

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Hally November 16, 2010 at 1:49 am

The reasonable thing for her to do is of course number three. Without any doubt!

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Lady Jennie November 16, 2010 at 7:08 am

okay – I laughed out loud!

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Alexandria
Twitter:
November 16, 2010 at 2:49 pm

Well if they are anything like what my siblings and I used to be like (because we are only a household of 1 so far. Thank God) then I would have to say #2 but then your son would have responded with “No! Your crazy! It’s your fault you set it tonight. No one told you to, so you’ll have to do it tomorrow too!” And then it would have been a huge fight & tears. But that was just our house.

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Peajaye
Twitter:
November 16, 2010 at 7:03 pm

#1 if I’m doing it. #2 if it’s someone else.

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