For the last eight years, my Saturdays were reserved so I could spend time with my Dad. With him now gone, it was time for a new tradition involving our kids and grandkids. Since it is now about the kids, they will have a large say in our activities. Being Saturday, that new tradition started at nine this morning. First was a trip to the local diner to have breakfast. It was, of course, much more boisterous than has been my usual of late. Once we had filled our tummies, it was time for a trip to town with Henry. His birthday money had been burning a large hole in his pocket for over a week. Henry had garnered his folk’s blessing (after much negotiation) to acquire the biggest and baddest Nerf Guns his budget would allow. Grampa of course, topped up the required funds for some small-scale weapons and a few hundred extra rounds of spare Nerf bullets.
Henry and I negotiated the terms of engagement all the way back to our house. He claimed the living room as his home base. I settled in the kitchen. Henry also negotiated special permission from Grandma to have the first large-scale battle inside the house so we didn’t lose any bullets.
As with all major conflicts, it wasn’t long until others were involved. Henry’s dad, Peter, joined the fray, and Moth, on hearing the commotion, came downstairs and joined in as well. Grandma insisted on staying neutral and acted as a war correspondent, doing her best to record the event on her iPad without incurring collateral damage. The battle raged for a long time, with much laughter, and hundreds of Nerf bullets fired in every direction and into every corner of the house.
Eventually, we declared a truce… with no clear winner, but I suspect there will be a sequel soon.
