Of Margles and Men

"Granma, let's play margles."  It's just that kind of talk that has me wrapped around his little finger - Tyler's that is.  So we make our way down to the designated area and the bin of Marble Works parts.  These are, in fact, the very same parts and margles that Tyler's father pulled out with anticipation and excitement some 30 years earlier.  Some toys stand the test of time and toddler, the latter being the more rigorous of the challenges.

Marble Works is an interactive toy.  Those young enough to be mesmerized by it are not generally old enough to build the expansive trails and towers needed to hold little boy attention.  After years, no decades, of experience, this Granma can now correctly match up the in's with the out's from bottom to top to ensure the proper margle thrill ride.

The problem comes when a particular bright-eyed child would like one final piece inserted - at the bottom of the raceway.  This feat requires advanced margle engineering AND childhood patience while alterations are in progress.  Do not attempt this maneuver after a short night's sleep, a glass of wine, or with a potentially cranky miniature partner.  It will not go well.

Even once the margles are descending the structure at break-neck speed, interaction is still required.  Number one, what goes up (the tower) tends to come down in a rush of sub-five enthusiasm.  And secondly, expertly constructed towers which take advantage of most if not all the pieces, tend to be taller than their intend purveyor, necessitating a step stool.  Excited grandboys climbing on step stool to deposit margles in the top of the tower tend to try to steady themselves on said tower.  See number one above.

Tyler turns four today.  "Margles" have given way to "marbles," I'm sad to say, though the rest of the challenges remain, at least for a while longer.  Someday the step stool will no longer be necessary.  But even with longer legs and a supply of marbles, this Granma will still be an integral part of the process.  Someone has to mastermind the placement of the final piece, somewhere near the bottom of the stack.

Happy Birthday, Tyler!  I love you!