Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Cat and Dog (09/04/14)
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TITLE: It's All Relative | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jennifer Liang
09/11/14 -
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Persons Involved: One child, two parents, three cousins, four grandparents and five aunts/uncles.
Mission: Six teams of two compete in teaching the child (Annabelle) her first animal sound by spending time with her repeating the approved sounds.
Judges: Annabelle’s parents Jack and Melissa Smith.
Approved Sounds: Meow and Ruffruff representing a dog and a cat. Three teams will be assigned the cat and three teams will be assigned the dog.
Timing: Smith/Richards Family Reunion July 5 – July 10.
Rules: Only one team at a time with Annabelle not to exceed one hour each day per team.
Prize: To Be Determined.
“Honey? How does this look?” Not receiving a response Jack grabbed the newly printed piece of paper from the printer and went in search of his wife Melissa. Finding her in the basement folding laundry he slyly added it to the top of her pile.
“What are you working on?” Melissa asked.
“Oh, just something to make our reunion a little more fun, and competitive,” Jack winked.
“Let me see that.” Snatching the paper from under Annabelle’s pants Melissa began to read the paper. “Sounds interesting. Do you really think this is a good idea? Aren’t some of her cousins a little too small? Arianna is only 4,” Melissa reminded her husband.
Jack looked over her shoulder and pointed out their role as judges. “See that is the beauty of it. We will determine who is teamed together. We can match experience with enthusiasm.”
“Well, alright. Let’s do it. Let me finish the laundry and we can e-mail our families while Annabelle is still napping.”
Two hours later the Smith’s received their first response in the form of a phone call from Auntie Becca Richards, the youngest of Melissa’s two siblings.
“Melissa, who came up with the challenge? I think it is brilliant. Can you tell me who I will be matched with?” Becca pleaded.
Placing the phone against her ear while stirring her spaghetti sauce Melissa paused in her response.
“Are you there?” Becca asked.
“It was Jack. He wants to make our time together more fun and competitive. I think he forgets that our family always take challenges seriously,” Melissa chuckled.
In her best voice of defeat Becca sighed, “In other words, I will have to wait for my partner.”
“That’s right. See you in two weeks!” Melissa placed her phone on the counter and continued preparing her dinner.
July 5: Tampa, Florida
An air of excitement permeated Grandpa and Grandma Smith’s roomy dining room where the family was all gathered for the afternoon meal.
Jack’s older brother Bob turned to his sister-in-law and handed her the mashed potatoes. “So Melissa, when will we start this challenge Jack organized?”
“After lunch,” Jack responded from across the table amidst settling Annabelle into her high chair. “Thank you mom for this delicious meal.”
One hour later over lemonade and banana bread everyone settled themselves in the living room as best as they could. Jack spoke first. “We have our teams assigned.” Holding up his hand he warned, “Wait until I am finished then please find your teammate. The sounds will be chosen from my hat. The competition starts now. Any questions?”
When no one responded Jack rattled off the names of his relatives and soon the room was full of noise as everyone stood up to find their partners. Chattering ensued as strategies were quietly exchanged.
July 10: Smith Living Room
“Drumroll please. And the winners are: Six year old Danny Richards and Grandma Richards! Congratulations!” Melissa handed them a scroll documenting their achievement. “As of this morning 8 a.m. Annabelle can now say ‘Meow’.”
“Doggie Ruffruff” young Annabelle interrupted.
From the largest to the smallest, everyone present erupted in deep belly laughter that couldn’t be contained.
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God bless~
I might suggest a teensy bit of red ink regarding commas. There were a few sentences where it felt as if the flow might work better with an added comma. For example: "Not receiving a response Jack grabbed the newly printed piece of paper...." To me, it seems easier to read if it were "Not receiving a response, Jack grabbed...." because it lets my brain take a breath.
That is only a minor thing, though, and it could be just my weird brain. I think your story was really cute and funny, especially the ending. I can so picture it happening in real life (I might or might not have an extremely competitive family)!
Thumbs up!
Yes, great title and good writing. Kudos.
This family activity idea was very creative.
It was well written but it might have been good to have shown or told the method used by the winning team to do the teaching.
God bless~