Inheritance

I have been thinking a lot about Nature vs Nurture. Having a young child does that to a person, I tellya. The mystery is greater, being an adoptive parent.

Last night at dinner, Phoenix and Ellie were talking about adding numbers like the "Stupid Machine" in a puppet show they saw. 2+2=7 Funny stuff to be sure. 13+13=16. Who am I to argue with that, this being my 3rd attempt at 39?

Any ol' how, back to Nature vs Nurture. Parents, we are a group of natural scientists. (Or narcissists, perhaps) Looking at our children wondering where they get there appearance, expressions, personality, mannerisms. When Ellie is stubborn or blaming, I say under my breath, she gets that from Heather's side of the family. When she is out-going, charming or a
funny, I am sure it is a Sadler trait.

Last night, as the salad was being passed around the table and Ellie said, "Mama Sal (pronounced "Shal") is allergic to hazelnuts. Huh, mama? Are there hazelnuts in the salad?" Kim assured her there was not. Just sunflower seeds. Ellie asked if I was allergic to hazelnuts as a kid. I told her no, my siblings and I all grew into that particular allergy as adults. She ask if she was going to get allergic from hazelnuts from my side of the family. I told her I doubted it. She asked why. I was stumped on how to answer.