Sudokid

Every day, when I take Isabel to school, we get a copy of the Metro newspaper.  It’s free.  At Jiřiho z Poděbrad, there is a lady who hands them out, which seems a bit redundant, but there are a couple of positive aspects to it.  She is always polite and enthusiastic and she always calls Isabel ‘princezna’ (so do I), so it’s a nice ritual to start the day.  Also, I’d like it if Isabel were a little more open to speaking to people, and acknowledging greetings, and saying thank you and stuff like that.  (she’s not rude.  just a bit shy.)  So, this woman is part of my training program, whether she realizes it or not.

The only reason I bother getting the newspaper at all is the Sudoku puzzle.  If I can finish it during the train ride home, I feel smart.

Today was a special day because there were people giving out the paper, along with a free sample of Bebe Sušenky, a popular and delicious Czech cookie.  So, we each got a paper and a cookie when we got on, and again when we got off at JZP.

Here’s the thing, though, the point of my story, the topic of my blog tonight.  When I picked up Isabel from school, she had the paper with her, open to the Sudoku.  “I got the sixes,” she said.  Well, number by number is not a very good strategy, I don’t think, but it is a strategy, and one I used to use when I first started doing them.  So, I asked her if she was sure she was right, and then checked them, and sure enough, she was right.

So, we looked at the puzzle on the way home.   Occasionally, I made suggestions as to where to look, or what to try and find, but I didn’t give her any answers, I gave her free reign.  It took her until well after we got home to finish it, but she finished it and finished it correctly.

Isabel is 9.  I think that’s pretty darned good.  I’m proud.