Our word of the day is eructation, which is, as many of you will know, the correct medical term for burping. In polite society it expected that you will say 'excuse me' if you burp loudly in company. In some parts of China and India, it is apparently considered a compliment to the chef.
Here one should feel slightly ashamed of burping in the presence of others.
However, here at Cornerstones, there is frequent, shameless, burping in the bathroom. It started the summer of 2020, when Rosie was coming to Grandma's Nursery School every day. Whenever she washed her hands after using the loo, she'd pull out the plug from the handbasin, and as the water drained away, it made a satisfying burrrppp! noise. It became a great game, listening for the good 'plug burps'. The budding little scientist realised that more water made a longer burp, and that hot or cold water didn't appear to affect the results.
I am so relieved that following the installation of the new basin last year, the burps still happened - if anything they are even better now!
But what really amused me was the question Rosie asked last week. "Grandma, WHY do we play the Plug Burp Game at your house? We don't do it anywhere else" And I had to confess that it was one of Grandma's devious educational ploys**
"Rosie, when you came for Grandma's Nursery, you were only 4, but you could manage going to the loo by yourself. But sometimes you forgot to wash your hands afterwards. You enjoyed the Plug Burp Game so much, it was a good way to get you into the habit of automatic handwashing"
"Rosie, when you came for Grandma's Nursery, you were only 4, but you could manage going to the loo by yourself. But sometimes you forgot to wash your hands afterwards. You enjoyed the Plug Burp Game so much, it was a good way to get you into the habit of automatic handwashing"
I suspect it will not be too long before she is teaching her little sister the game too.
**I also taught her my Hand wash Song [here]
Rosie is keeping you on your toes! She's so curious and you are awesome for encouraging that. The dressing gown looks like a cuddle.
ReplyDeleteIt is so sweet, with its Peter Pan collar, and buttons all down the front. And it still washes well - it is soft and cuddly!
DeleteSuch a gorgeous dressing gown!
ReplyDeleteThe sink burp game is ingenious for handwashing (& scientific enquiry!
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DeleteRosie looks cute in her dressing gown! That was a good game you invented to get her to wash her hands!
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DeleteIsn't it interesting how things in our houses have personalities of their own? Whether it is a creaking stair or a lamp shade that makes a popping sound 5 minutes after the light is switched off, it all says "home"!
ReplyDeleteYou are right - every home has its own particular set of sounds.
DeleteOh, that is such a fun use of the Happy Birthday tune! Thank you!
ReplyDelete👍 I hope it doesn't become an "ear-worm" for you. Or worse, you don't start singing it when you are NOT supervising children (as I almost did in the motorway services loos!)
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