terrypetersen

There’s no limit to how much you’ll know, depending how far beyond zebra you go. (Dr. Seuss)

Balloons belong at a kid’s birthday party the way salt belongs in sea water. The thin latex globes are inexpensive, create a rainbow that doubles as an indoor sport, and provide a mini sonic boom when popped. Of course the cheaper the balloon, the harder it is to inflate.

I bought some for five-year-old Rebe’s party that are so cheap it takes super-human effort to turn the thumb-sized toys into a ball or pear shape. My husband manages to inflate three before I finish one. However, the kids’ enthusiasm makes the effort worthwhile.

I have always drawn a distinction between holy and unholy noise. As long as the kids aren’t screaming so loud you can’t hear a jet-engine, and their play includes cooperation and positive action, it’s holy. (Of course at that frequency it needs to be directed outdoors.) Unholy noise leads to fights and tears.  It is not welcomed.

Eight-year-old Kate serves her balloon volleyball-style; it sticks to the living-room ceiling—and stays there. Intriguing. I tried showing her how to attach a latex balloon to a wall at an earlier party—without success, then blamed it on made-in-China quality.

But, my granddaughter discovered some temporary bond. Hmmn, maybe she’s onto something. I decide to Google it: http://www.ehow.com/how_6871311_explain-balloon-sticking-wall.html Ah, the old rub-a-sweater-or-your-hair-then-stick-to-a-wall trick. Guess I didn’t use enough friction.

One pink balloon left. The positive and negative charges work this time.

Sure I have plenty to clean. The sink is full of dishes and the princess-patterned table cloth is covered with melted chocolate ice cream.  I need a few minutes rest before I tackle the job. I go to Google again and discover that the rubber balloon was invented by Michael Faraday in 1824. Since then, it has evolved and taken on more than air or helium. inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blballon.htm

Unfortunately, my granddaughters and their two friends have gone home. There are no more kids around to show age-old tricks.

Well . . . I did teach something. As my granddaughters’ friends were leaving, one of them asked me to tie the end of a balloon. I thought the bag was empty.

“Sure, you want to take it home with you.”

“No, I want to leave it here.”

“Have you ever seen what happens when you let it go?”

She shakes her head.

“It flies all over the place, like a bat or a moth.”

“Okay.”

Amazing how delightful a six-second flight can be. However, I suspect my son’s drive home with four noisy girls in his van felt longer than it really was. Sorry, dear. Next time maybe you can stay and play, too. It isn’t good to grow up all the way.

(pic from the Optimism Revolution)