I just sent my kids down to the elementary school in our neighborhood to play on the playground. Including the two and a half year old. Ryan, my oldest, who is 11, is so responsible, it’s not much different than if I had sent her down there with my husband.

And good gods did I need the peace and quiet.

They played Halo 3 with two of their friends on Xbox Live, and there was so much shouting and discussion of what they were doing and it just went on and on and on…

Finally after I actually HOLLERED at Nathan to get his attention, I informed them that video game time was over and they were going to go OUTSIDE and PLAY like the CHILDREN they are.

Sheesh. Anyone else remember getting on your bike right after breakfast, popping in quickly for lunch (usually with a friend in tow), then going back out until you heard your Mom or Dad yelling from the front porch to come in for dinner? And you had spent that whole time riding bikes, playing tag, building forts out of whatever you could find, and you were dirty and exhausted?

Man, those were the GOOD OLE DAYS, I tell you.