TV=Crack for Kids

I really wish my friends had come to visit with their kids some months ago. Things might be a little different today if they had.

Some friends of ours came to town on their way overseas for vacation. I’ve known him since I was a kid, and her since university (I introduced them to each other). They live about an 8 hour drive away and have 2 young sons, 8 and 10 years old. We’ve been to visit them a couple of times but haven’t seen them in at least 2 years.

They had almost a full day layover for their next flight, so they came over for a visit. The kids noticed every little thing in the house and were fascinated by all the little artifacts from our trips around the world. One came running over to show his parents a dagger in a leather sheath that came from Africa. Our house is definitely NOT kid-proof!

We switched on the TV and put in a DVD for them to watch. Amazing! TV is crack for the young. The two boys immediately settled down and were hypnotized by the little figures moving across the screen. For the first time since they arrived the place was quiet and still.

After about 30 minutes their parents started to get concerned. They wanted wanted to tire the boys out so they’d sleep on the flight to come but here they were resting peacefully. We turned off the TV and took the kids to a nearby park to get some exercise.

These two boys – well mannered and nice kids – are amazingly active. They are regular 8 and 10 year old boys, probably slimmer than most. But they have enough energy to power a small town. And I forgot how much siblings do little things to pick at each other and the little squabbles that periodically erupt as a result. They ran up and down the sidewalk on the way to the park, probably traveling twice the distance to get there, all the while taunting each other and generally being young brothers.

We spent at least a couple of hours in the park where they ran around. Ever remember the Tasmanian Devil from the Bugs Bunny cartoons? Taz is real and embodied by these two boys! We played a game of catch with them and I nearly caused myself permanent damage when trying to run after one of them. Finally the sun began to fall so we headed back home with me limping.

One of them managed to get covered in mud so a quick shower was in order, then we went out to dinner. Finally it was time to take them back to the airport.

Both Ms. Pregnant and I collapsed exhausted. We went to bed immediately and just before passing out muttered to each other about being doomed. Wish they’d come over earlier in the year as I’d have had my nuts microwaved to avoid the whole kid thing.