Learning from our mistakes (week 12)

I love how mistakes, big or small, can lead to learning. Leif and I did a lesson on Vikings this week, and the text said something like this, "Although some Vikings were pirates (or something evil), some were explorers, traders, (some other good things) and shaped our world today..."
Leif hears this and says, "Aren't traitors bad, mom?"
Me, "Oh, no, traders are good! For example, say we had a garden full of corn, and our neighbors grew a garden of tomatoes (two of Leif's fav foods), we could trade them some corn for some tomatoes."
Leif, "Yes, but aren't SOME traitors bad?"
Me: "No, buddy, it's a really good thing. We even do it today with money. Daddy goes to work...."

You see how the conversation went and why both of us left it a little confused! I was telling Charles  about the viking lesson, and remembered this conversation. I still didn't figure out the mistake, but as soon as I said it out loud to Charles he said, "Were you talking about traitors or traders?" and spelled them to me. I laughed so hard. I can't believe I didn't figure it out while talking to Leif. BUT, it led to a great teaching/learning session on homophones. ("not to be confused with homophobes" - thanks so much, Wikipedia) Leif was especially delighted with I/eye/"Aye, my hearty!"

 Sometimes it's good to be able to laugh at our mistakes, and learn from them.