Kids! You just can't beat them!

My grandnieces just spent the weekend with me. They are 14 and 9. Their mother and her siblings used to stay with me too sometimes. There seems to be something about staying with Aunt Susan that appeals to these kids. I keep trying to guess what it is.

Sure, I have two dogs. I have always had at least one. I also have the one old cat who runs the household. But I don't allow toys that use batteries. I don't turn on the television for months on end. No, not at all. Not for noise or anything else. I cherish quiet. In fact, it's so quiet here that I can hear the kids talk to me. I listen to them, and I answer them.

Last night we played the board game Life. I took the college route, bought insurance, paid off my bills, bought stock, and won. When they played after that, they took the college route. Even the 9 year old started buying homeowner's insurance. I doubt she would have learned better lessons watching MTV.

So it's my guess they come here to talk and learn and get individual attention. But maybe it's the dogs. The younger beagle, Baby, is learning to howl on command and it's a lot of fun.