I had almost finished cleaning the house when neighbor Logan (7) knocked on the door. We discussed things to do without coming to a meeting of the minds. His favorite game is checkers. I fell back on the slogan of my youth, “Just say no.” The saying applied to drugs back in the day, but I apply it to games of strategy. My brain never did work that way, and age did not improve it. We watched a TV show together for half an hour and came back to the old question of what to do next. He spied the balloon left in the living room a few days ago. We played with it until it landed on the plants. As Logan put his hands on it, the balloon blew up in his face, startling both of us.
“I’ll pick up the pieces. Do you want to get another balloon?” I asked. He ran to the closet, picking another blue one. It took me about ten times longer to tie a knot in it than the amount of time Logan spent blowing it up. I used to be able to do that easily. It could have something to do with the amount of saliva on it. Does anyone have a good suggestion for sealing a slobbery balloon? The answer is not to do the blowing myself, because Logan loves to do it.
We batted the balloon back and forth, trying to keep it from landing on the floor. When Logan tired of that, we just sat and talked. I have never understood more than half of what he said, so this time I explained that I didn’t hear well. I said I needed for him to face me so I could see his lips, and I needed him to speak louder. It worked like a charm!!! He wanted to communicate enough to make it work. I loved hearing him talk about this past weekend, especially the indoor water park.
With wide arm movements, he said, “I was on the TORNADO slide!!”
He also enjoyed arcade games and watching cartoons with other children in the group. When Bob came to get him, he told me a bit more about the activities. It seems it was a terrific weekend for all.
Mehrling Muse 
Sounds like a whirlwind of fun!
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Still photos of Logan usually have at least one blurry bit where he is moving.
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Oh My, Anne. . . You are so kind and patient.
I probably would have come up with a “dusting” or “swiffering” game.
Again… Logan is lucky to have you as a neighbor. 🙂
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I took the time with Logan as a well-deserved break.
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I’m trying to recall how to tie a balloon – it’s been decades for me. Many year ago my aunt had the cutest dog … he was a Heinz 57 and everyone would buy Apache squeaky toys when they came to visit my aunt, but his favorite toy was when she blew up a balloon and batted it around for him. He would grasp the knotted area and the little “tail” and carry it around the house like that.
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You just loop the balloon tail around, but I couldn’t do it for spit!
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My aunt used to leave enough to knot it (he went through a lot of them as sometimes a toenail would do it in) so he could carry it in his mouth. He’d parade around the house with that balloon, and when it broke, he was like you and Logan – a look of shock.
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It sounds like a great time was had by all Anne! I am wondering how I would do at a game of checkers. I am not sure if I could focus long enough anymore to play that!
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Focus doesn’t help me. Nothing does!
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Well done on explaining properly to Logan about your hearing. It sounds like he understood well enough to make sure he was clear in anything that followed. Clever boy. Sorry Anne, can’t help with knotting wet balloon. I seem to remember some little clips you could attach to close them.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
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Many thanks, David.
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How lovely that he pops over to see you and that you love it too. Balloons…..no easy trick I’m afraid; especially with slobber in it!
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Doesn’t sound appealing, does it? Oh well, we don’t use many balloons in a year.
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Bless you. X
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Cute Logan, you are lucky to spend time with Logan and Logan is blessed to have you around.
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one day, you will be writing about Logan coming home to see you, as Nathaniel and David do now!
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I think he will outgrow us, but we’ll wait and see.
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No one else has!!! haha!
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I like your thinking.
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❤️
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I’ve never been able to blow up a balloon. Something about my jaw don’t allow it. Therefore I admire Logan and his ability to do so. A gifted young man, if you ask me.
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Logan does many things well.
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Great that Logan came to give you company- it certainly helped you pass the time that much the easier.
What snacks did he get ?
A balloon pump would work against slobber, ??
Hope they all enjoyed their outing to the water theme park.
Susie
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That day Logan had only one granola bar. Last time he asked for and got celery!!!!
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Lovely visit! How long does he usually stay at your place, Anne?
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Logan often stays an hour or so. It was two hours that day.
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This child is so fortunate to have a “Village” love and care for him. Who would have thought a simple balloon could keep him so entertained!
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Balloon love must be catching. We played with balloons with our grandsons, and we still do it when they come to visit. It’s wonderful geriatric exercise for us! We usually sit down while the young people dash about, and we get lots of arm exercise and stretching.
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Sounds like a wonderful time for you both. Keeping the balloon in the air is a great work out for those on their feet, and for those sitting down.
As for knotting a slobbery balloon … I’ve found letting a tiny bit of air escape helps with the knotting, for it gives you a bit more balloon in the knotting area, so stretching the end is way easier and it will bend and wrap and knot in a way that you’ll make people believe you’re magical! LOL (at least … that’s what works for me!)
❤ ~ Cobs. xxx
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I must try your trick. Thanks.
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You’re very welcome, Anne. ~ C. x
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