knocking knock-knocks

The boys are into knock-knock jokes and it’s driving me crazy. Especially when they finally memorize one and everyone has to tell it to me, five times a day. They’ve even got the two-year-old yelling out the punchline.

It goes like this:
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Interrupting cow.
Inter––
Moo!!!!

Some days I get the baby putting his chubby face two inches from mine so he knows I can hear him holler: “Cow. Moo!”

I have no idea where they learned it from, nor do I care. I guess I should be grateful that they’re trying to develop their senses of humor, because most days the laughter flows following bodily functions, especially those committed at the table. Often, they try to make up their own jokes, which are none-too-funny, but that somehow doesn’t discourage them.

“Mom, why did the pig cross the road?” (At this point I have to turn my head so they don’t see me roll my eyes). “Because he wasn’t a chicken? Get it?” I’m trying to figure out if they’re future comedians or somehow crying out for attention. Can’t be
the first.

Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Boo.
Boo who?
What are you crying about?

It only goes downhill from there. I guess my sense of humor tends to lean more toward sarcasm, so the silly little jokes don’t do much for me. They do however, delight other little boys and they feed off each other as they try to remember any joke they’ve ever heard in their short life so far. Somehow, though they keep coming back to the knock-knock jokes. Maybe because they’re easier to remember or maybe because they’re easier to make up.

I need to join in before I lose the battle altogether.

So tonight, it’ll be:
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Go.
Go who?
GO TO BED!

or
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Quitcher.
Quitcher who?
Quit yer messing around and get to bed!

Think it’ll work? I’m not counting on it. I think it’ll drive at least two boys crazy with laughter, rile them up even more and then for sure they won’t go to sleep.

A merry heart is supposed to be good medicine. It’s just a tough pill for me to swallow right now.