Eight Grandkids, One Balloon, and Rules Nobody Remembered 😂

Making Up the Rules as We Go

Last Monday I watched eight of my grandkids so Katie could go to work, and if there is one thing I have learned about my grandkids, it’s that they stick to me like glue.

I’m not sure if they are afraid they are going to miss something fun, something ridiculous, or just the next stupid thing Grandma decides to do, but they are always right there. Hip side. All of them.

Today’s big entertainment involved tape and a balloon. That’s it. Somehow those two items turned into an entire game, complete with rules, strategy, and a whole lot of confusion. Even the crawling grandbaby got involved.

The best part? We made up the rules as we went.

“This square gets to serve.”

“This square gets to pick what body part you have to hit the balloon with.”

“This square has to cover two spots if someone gets out.”

“If the balloon hits the ground, you’re OUT!”

By the end, we had so many rules nobody could remember all the rules, including the people who made the rules.

And when you play with a bunch of kids, especially with a few under three, you quickly realize the little ones are no longer players… they become part of the obstacle course.

The toddler lying on the floor having a meltdown because Barbie’s clothes won’t go on? Obstacle.

The baby crawling through the middle of the game? Obstacle.

The random kid walking through at the exact wrong moment? Also an obstacle.

You don’t stop the game. You just adjust and keep going.

They had so much fun creating new rules, changing the game, and trying to keep up with the chaos they created. But like all kid activities, the greatest game ever invented lasted until suddenly… they were done.

Time to move on.

Thankfully Grandma had the next activity ready.

Lunch.

My choice. 😂

I let them make their own hot dogs, which apparently is also an activity when you’re a kid.

After that, we watched some crazy show they all seemed to love. I personally did not understand the appeal, but I’m pretty sure my grandparents thought the same thing about the stuff I watched.

Before I knew it, it was time to head home.

Eight kids. One balloon. A roll of tape. A million made-up rules.

Sometimes the simplest things really are the things they remember.