Wii

Since Parker was a baby, I wanted to avoid video games in our house as long as possible.  I knew they were coming.  I knew it was as inevitable. I just wanted to put it off until the boys were, say, 15 and 17 years old????  Is that unreasonable?  I know.  I am totally uncool.
We have educational hand held game systems, and they boys do play games on our cell phones and on kid internet sites.  I just knew that once a game system took over our living room television, it would never leave.  The boys are 3 1/2 and 5, and we are now the proud owners of a Nintendo Wii.  Don't get me wrong - there are many educational things and active games to play.  We have had the Wii for 3 months now, and it is still an OBSESSION - especially with Ryder.  I most feared Parker becoming obsessed with video games, and thought Ryder would not care so much.  What do I know?

Even Gran plays tennis on the Wii.

Ryder loves "the hunting game" - shooting animals with a big rifle.  (Again, I know.  Much wrong with this picture.  I did not purchase the game, but I must pick my battles.  I draw the line at "people shooting games.")
Both boys love playing Wii sports, and will play baseball, golf and tennis for hours, if allowed.
However, Ryder's favorite thing to do on the Wii is create different Mii characters.  I watched him create, change, and rename dozens of members of our family the other day.  He navigates the selections with an ease that amazes me.

Wii Characters

He changes the hat and color or shirt of his own Mii character depending on his mood.  Of course, he also adjusts the size of himself to be as large as his father.

I have learned to live with video games.  We have time restraints and rules.   I already adjust to use Wii in disciplinary action.  (A day without Wii is worse than time-out, no candy and not playing outside combined.  Who knew?)  So, reluctantly, I join in the Kids Now Dance game  (Ok, not so reluctantly).  I play an occasional game of baseball - until I am told that I am not as good as Daddy, at which time I leave.