4-8, Badminton, anyone?

I was quite proud of Nikolas this weekend.  We went to Target to browse the items that he could purchase with the birthday gift cards he had received from his friends.  Video games were off limits (mean Mommy, I know....) and he couldn't find any toys that he liked.  We walked around through the outdoor stuff and he came across a volleyball/badminton set.  This is what he selected.  We worked on getting the net up and were off and playing....and playing....and playing (that's what happens when you get two competitive people, endless hours and beautiful weather).  We really enjoyed ourselves.  I was so proud that he had chosen this -- something we could play together that didn't involve a screen or ending up in the 'not really played with' pile.  I think that net will be a fixed, good weather feature in our backyard.  I'm not so sure the neighbors will love us when they hear us bickering about points though! Ha! We alternated between matches of volleyball and badminton.....until I....just....coudn't....take...it.... anymore.  OWWWW!!!!  How did I EVER toughen up my arms enough to play in high school?!  When I got the bruise on my left arm (a beautiful green ring around a  goose-egg red bump in the center), I had to call it quits.  (I swear, I didn't even hit the ball on that part of my arm-- I'm not sure how I managed that one.....)  Nikolas was disappointed that I wasn't "manning up" (yes, again, sorry neighbors.....and yes, he did say that).  The funny part is when he couldn't wait for Sven to get home from work that day so he could play volleyball with his dad.....and that lasted all of 3 minutes until Nikolas quit because HIS arms hurt so bad.  Hmmmm.......Anyway, we've settled on badminton as our game of choice.  It's nice playing with Nikolas and remembering all the games I'd played with Grandma O. and Mom when we camped up Little West Fork.  Good times....