The Happy Kid

I felt like David needed some extra love and attention today. As the middle kid now, I think he is taking Tom's arrival as a potential threat to his normal dose of love and attention. Today I took him to an indoor playground so that we could make up for any lost time in the past week. For him, it was an overdose of 'Happy'. For me, it was an overdose of 'Kids'.

We tore the place apart, racing from the air-filled crocodile to the pool of plastic balls to the trampolines to the grenade launchers shooting sponge balls to the restaurant where you can purchase beer at 10 o'clock in the morning as you babysit your children. I love Germany.

At one point, David and I played a rather simple game of 'wake Papa'. I laid down on one of the rubber mats and pretended to be sleeping. David would then come over and 'wake' me, at which point I would become very irate and chase him throughout the indoor park.

This game was great fun for approximately 200 times. On the the 201st time, though, I laid there with my eyes closed waiting for David to come poke me and was instead shaken by an elderly lady who asked me 'Are you ok, because I'm a doctor?'. To which I replied 'I'm fine, but who the hell are you and where is my son?'

Apparently that last round of 'wake Papa' was the point where David got bored with the game and ventured off, leaving me to explain to Nurse Nancy that no, I was not having a heart attack, but thanks for asking.

I found David about ten minutes later trying to remove a very BIG KID off of one of the trampolines. By BIG, I do not mean someone who was 'slightly chunkified'. I mean this was a puberty-age teenager with muscles and a mustache that frightened me, but somehow equated to a red flag being waved in front of David's nose. One tiny bruise and two very scowling looks later, David decided to leave Mr. Big alone.

While we were off being woken by concerned doctors, Angie had a house call of her own. Ortrud, Angie's mid-wife, came by to remove the stitches. I have to say 'glad I missed that fun'. The following checkup went great and Angie is now fit to once again cook and clean. Ok, I must admit, sometimes I write stuff that only I find extremely funny.

We got home and picked up Peter from kindergarten. For a change, Peter was the one bursting with spit, fire and rage. He chased David around the house until David finally cried out 'Help, David's trying to hit me!!'. At this point, Peter stopped and looked at David and said 'wait a minute - you're not...Peter'. They both stopped and stared at each other for a moment before cracking up and falling to the floor.

Peter had swimming lessons in the afternoon. I took him, since for some strange reason Angie is not ready for the bikini yet. Whatever. Prude.

While getting Peter undressed, I found a purple rubber lizard that was curled up in his sock. It made me jump, but Peter snatched it and said 'Ah, there it is, thanks Papa'. Ok, some things are just too bizarre to ask any questions.

Peter Hasselhoff did awesome today. He learned how to float backwards. Ok, I must be honest and confess that the mantra 'Hey, that's great. But can you whistle?' was going through my head the entire time, but I am happy to state that, unlike last time, I did not speak these words out loud.

I know everyone is dying for pictures and stories of Tom. Well, for the pictures, go to the Flickr site and as for the stories - www.sleepeatandshit.com pretty much sums up Tom's life successes. Hey, whatever makes you a Happy Kid!
--------------------------------------------
Ladder Talk:
1) What was the best part of your day?
Peter: When I go swimming with Dalia.
David: When I go'ed mit you spielgruppe and play crocodile.

2) What was the worst part of your day?
Peter: When Rob came, but I had to go to bed.
David: When I no not in water like Peter and Dalia.

3) What would you like to do tomorrow?
Peter: When I finished with kindergarten and drawing, I want to play with you football.
David: I go mit you in zoo.