Monday, July 7, 2008

Ban the TV and Bring Out the Weapons



So, right on the heels of the recent television ban, I purchased some wooden play swords at a second hand store for $1.50. Harper and Zane have used every other stick in the house for swordplay, and thus, I thought it would be fun for them to have some actual pretend swords for creative play.

Don't be so quick to assume that this post is headed towards detailing a nasty parry and lunge accident. No so. Not so.

I watched with fascination as Harper set up two "thrones" in the backyard. She then ordered Zane, who was not King, to come and sit beside her. Harper, the Queen, then shared with him how he could become King. The tactics included using the new sword to overthrow the current King.

Act 2 opened with Zane being King to Harper's Queen, although I must have missed the actual overthrowing part. Whatever. He was now King and the conversation took an interesting turn towards the question of their heir.

Well, now, this posed quite the predicament for a King and Queen who are also brother and sister. The conversation went something, although not exactly, like this.

"Zane, we must have an heir!"

"Silence!"

"Zane, this is not a time for silence, we must have an heir. But, you are my brother, so we can not have one."

"So."

"So, we must ADOPT!"

"Ok."

"Yes, we must adopt an heir. But first we will have to get past security!"

"Right."

"Zane, it it time to take on the knights!"

Both of them run off, towards our neighbor's yard (who I'm pretty positive wouldn't find this type of play at all amusing) with swords raised, yelling, "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Later in the day the dog chewed up one of the swords pretty badly. Sir George saved the day with his power sander and some silver paint, Zane walked around the backyard with his sword sticking out of his pants, pointed side up (nice, son), and Harper morphed into some type of medieval warrior chick complete with intricate swordography and footwork.

For $1.50, I'm pleased.

The TV has remained off except for a viewing of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe as a reward for completing chores for the week.

And as a means of learning new battle tactics for future successful invasions and uprisings.

1 comment:

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Oh, Good luck on the tv ban! Hope it works out for you guys. I am trying to wrap my head around the process of not only adjusting the children to that change but also the husband... THAT would be a hard sell!