March Madness

I really think the title term of this essay means more than just college basketball. Don't get me wrong. The hoops thing is big. But maybe the timing had to do with this transition from winter to spring. I think it has more a "All Work and No Play Make Jack a Dull Boy" - The Shining feel to the catchphrase. The time where you are just getting a raging case of cabin fever. The kids develop a case of it too. It permeates through the whole family. Tensions mount. That line between sanity and madness starts to dissolve and blur together. The anticipation of that warmer weather and the promise of the end of the winter blahs are almost too much to bear. Spring Training certainly helps and eases the transition. It helps pass the time and promises the the hope of a new season. I think the NCAA struck gold by having the field of 64 decided in March. There is no competition. So people become fanatical about it. This time of year, it is almost a battle to get the boys to go outside and play. It's great that they can amuse themselves inside. But we start battling over TV and Video game time. Demi and I try to keep that at a minimum. So they need to find ways to play indoors. Legos have been a goldmine of a find. Coloring is good. Reading works. And we play some family games. The makers of Cranium? Again, genius! They make the best games. I highly recommend Whoonu? Great family game. It doesn't take a lot of skill. And it gets a good laugh every time. Priceless.