What Am I?

Yesterday while I was folding clothes in one room, this is the conversation I overhead in the kitchen between Madeleine and Bryson Sr.

"Dad, what am I?"

"What do you mean, what are you?  You're Madeleine."

"No, not that.  I have to fill this out on the paperwork {she was filling out paperwork on what classes she wants to take next school year}, and it asks me to fill in what I am.  So, what am I?  Am I Co-ac-a-sasian?  Or am I Asian?  Or Black?"

I was trying so hard not to laugh out loud right here.

"Well Madeleine, let's go through each one.  What is the first option?"

"Ace-ian"

"That is said Asian"

"Oh, okay am I Asian?"

"Well, where do you think people are from that are Asian?"

"I don't know....oh, are they from Asia?"

"That is correct.  Are you from Asia?  Are you from Japan, or Korea or China or - "

"No, of course not.  Okay, so I'm not Asian.  What about am I Black?"

"Ummmm....well, look at you, are you - "

"Fine, I get it, I'm not black.  What about Native American?  I'm American, but what about this Native part?"

This is where I was laughing like crazy inside - and yet, I felt a little part of me sigh....the part that realizes she is so much like me.  I remember filling out paper work, and wondering the same question - What Am I?
I think I even had some of the same rationale as her for Native American, although I'm pretty sure I knew I wasn't Asian or Black.  Oh Madeleine - such book smarts, but the common sense at times leaves me wondering!

"Well, there is only one option left - it's that Caucasian.  I suppose I'm that, right Dad?"

"Yes, Madeleine - you are Caucasian"

Now I know why in Merrilee Boyack's book on parenting she lists that your children should be able to fill out their own paperwork :)

Thankfully, it was definitely entertaining for the first attempt.  I should have caught it on tape!