Living History

Tonight, DD had a writing assignment (yech!), and was supposed to do a story on what three historical figures she would like to have over for dinner, what she would serve them, and what they would talk about. We came up with Laura Ingalls Wilder and Ferdinand Magellan (she's studying explorers in history), and I told her that her third couldn't be another explorer.

She thought about it for a moment, and then suggested "George Washington." The conversation went something like this:

Me: "Is he someone you're really interested in?"

DD: "I mean the one who was in the war."

Me: "Well, he was our first president, and fought in the Revolutionary war."

DD: "I just want the one who was in the war."

Me: "There's only one George Washington."

DD: (quizzical look) "Nooo? Wasn't there more than one? I want the George W. Washington"

Me: "Oh you mean George W. Bush! Yes, there were two George Bushes who were president, a father and son. You can't do either of them, though, because they are still alive. You need a historical figure."

DD: "Oh."

Me: "George Washington was our first president and fought in the Revolutionary War."

DD: (shocked) "And he's still ALIVE?!?!?"