child’s play

tonight, i was cheered up by two boys playing two made-up games–or at least ones i’d never seen before. the first game was during a library program and he called it “the oreo game” and claimed that once you’d seen the oreo game, you’d never eat another oreo without thinking about the game. i think he’s right. it’s a very simple concept, but has hilarious results. here’s how you play:

1. pick up an oreo.

2. unscrew the cookies.

3. lick the frosting (pretty boring and standard so far, huh? here comes the fun part!)

4. stick the cookie to your forehead, right between your eyebrows (but wait, there’s more!)

5. tilt your head back a bit and begin wiggling your facial features in an effort to move the cookie slowly down your face, between your eyes, over your nose, and eventually, with some help from your tongue, into your mouth.

6. if it falls on the floor, you do not win the oreo game, but it’s still funny and you still get to eat the oreo (as long as it doesn’t land, creme-side-down on cat fur…. and even then you could if you’re not too picky)

ok, kid-invented game number two was observed when i was sitting on my porch swing watching the kids next door play. since it’s right around august 15th–the magic moving date for everyone in town, when the curbs are full of whatever people don’t want anymore, but is often still useful, also known more crudely as “hippie christmas”–i’m guessing that they found the supplies for this game conveniently located on a curb. here’s how it works:

1. find an old office chair with wheels

2. remove the back so it’s just a seat on wheels

3. go to the end of the street, where there’s a slight incline.

4. lay your belly across the seat and run with your feet on the ground until you get some good momentum going. wheeeeee!