Simple Joy

When you have two boys ages 12 and 10, Gameboys, Wii, and Gamecube factor into your life pretty heavily. I'm a mother that doesn't understand the fascination with video games; I think it's a waste of time. My kids don't spend an inordinate amount of time playing them but I'd be lying if I said we haven't had a battle or two over what I'd prefer they be doing.

While we were in Ohio for the holidays one of my brothers gave my youngest son an old pogo stick his kids had outgrown years ago. My son was thrilled and while he happily tossed it in the back of the van for the drive back to the east coast, I was certain it would be just another toy getting too little use, languishing in our garage with all the others.

But my son has surprised me and has been pogo jumping in the morning and again after school. He's certain there's a Guiness world record he can break if he just keeps on practicing. It brings me joy that he's having so much fun with a nice, classic simple toy, one we all had when we were kids. Not to mention the fact it's impossible to work the Wii controller when you're bouncing down the sidewalk on your way to a world record.