Joke's on us

We are working on joke telling in our house. There is a renewed interest (I may have mentioned this joke thing previously) due to the fact that Popsicle season is full on. For those who have not had a Popsicle lately, I will tell you, there are jokes printed on Popsicle sticks these days. Madelyn always wants to know what the joke is. Nana and Pop read a few for the girls after dinner last night. I am not sure what is funnier.....the jokes themselves or the kids' reaction. Well yes, I know what is funnier (because the jokes, super funny they are not.) Usually the jokes are a play on words and that just does not go over with the 3 and under set.

Abigail is funny because she just laughs as soon as you ask the first part of the joke. A kind of "a-ha! I get it" laugh but before the punchline is delivered.

Madelyn waits for the punchline but then looks puzzled.

Last night's joke was (kind of poorly written so the adults were a little confused reading it!) But basically it was,

What is the difference between an actor and a baker?
One makes rolls and the other has roles.

See what I mean? Hard for a 3-year-old and even harder for an almost 2-year-old.

So today on her juice box there was a joke. Oh great, more practice! So I ask them, the classic question,

What is the difference between a piano and a fish? (or something like that...)

And Madelyn, says, "a fish!"

No, no, I say. What is the difference between a fish and a piano?

"A crab!"

Totally lost on her. I was really looking for...."you can't tuna fish" but I was never going to get there.

I won't even get started on the confusion over knock-knock jokes. But it is all very humorous so the jokes have accomplished the main goal, laughter. We'll keep workin' on their stand up routines.