The Wheel of Fortune Fan

I’m not one of those mothers who think EVERYTHING is a teachable moment. But sometimes the “learning is fun” moments happen when you least expect them, and I am perfectly comfortable acknowledging that a lot of the learning that happens around here is somewhat accidental.

For example, it turns out that you can learn a lot by watching TV game shows as a family.

My five-year-old son, Charlie, is very literal and absolutely loves money. He’s an early reader, and has discovered the show of all shows – The Wheel of Fortune. My eight-year-old daughter, Molly, likes the show as well, so now we watch as a family.

When it comes on, the kids insist we shout the name of the show”WHEEL! OF! FORTUNE!” along with the TV audience, and it almost makes me feel like we are the Griswalds from the European Vacation movie. Anybody remember that? Pig in a Poke?

griswalds

For the record, we are definitely more Griswalds than Cleavers.

Not that we could all afford to go to California for a taping, but I did check into it after “the fan incident” (story below) and you are supposed to be 8 to attend a taping.

The Fan Incident

We got a new ceiling fan for my son’s room because the old one sounded like a prop plane.

Tip: Don’t buy a cheap ceiling fan or you will end up replacing it with the nicer one you should have bought in the first place.

Anyway, after my husband installed it, the discarded ceiling fan lay on the floor. The next thing I know, we have been invited to Charlie’s room to play Wheel of Fortune. He and his eight-year-old sister, Molly, had written the words 10,000, 500, Bankrupt, New York and Car on sticky notes and attached them to the fan blades to create a wheel.

ourwheeloffortune

Molly was Vanna and stood with a marker next to a paper puzzle taped to the wall.

vanna
Answer: GOOD DAY AT THE BEACH

Charlie, in his post-bath attire declared himself “Pat Sajak in underwear” and was ready to host the show.

We played two great puzzles that Molly created, and everyone had to clap when the “wheel” was spinning or our underdressed host would chastise us. I must also note here that it take a ceiling fan a really long time to stop spinning on its own.

At one point, Molly asked, “Does Vanna ever get a chair?” which made us laugh.

Charlie insisted we join the TV show’s “Wheel Watchers Club” online and dutifully checks for our number each night. He thinks we really have a chance to win the $5,000 they give away through a TV raffle drawing.

Hope springs eternal – especially, when you are five!

The truth is, we already are winners. We are spending time together, the kids are learning and we have the ultimate fan of the Wheel of Fortune – literally and figuratively.

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4 Responses to The Wheel of Fortune Fan

  1. Courtney B April 30, 2013 at 5:21 pm #

    Oh my goodness, how FUN! I love the minds of children. So sweet and innocent! And they are so incredibly SMART!

    • Heather May 1, 2013 at 8:01 am #

      They are very entertaining, that’s for sure! Hope you have a good day -
      Hedda

  2. Amy May 1, 2013 at 8:52 am #

    That’s so cool! We watched the show recently and Ben liked it… we haven’t watched it since but I am going to set it up to record! Thanks, H!

    • Heather May 4, 2013 at 9:09 pm #

      Hope he likes it. Charlie and I played hangman the other day while we were waiting for Molly to take her gymnastics class and he kept yelling his letter guesses like they do on Wheel of Fortune. It was funny.

      I need to tape Price is Right. I bet he would like that one, too.

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