Apparently, they were listening

My older children were raised on a steady diet of no xbox, no playstation, no cable TV, good books, frequent trips to the library, Playmobil toys and lots out outdoor play.  Gameboys were only allowed on long trips (like 8 hour plane rides back to the US from Europe.)

The first crack in our anti-electronics armor was Dance, Dance Revolution and an old used Playstation.  For a long time, we held strong and kept our electronics to a minimum.  Then we moved back to the US and our resolve started to crumble in the face of constant bombardment. (its easy to withstand bombardment when you live in a non-English speaking country and the only Americans around feel the same way you do.)

For the most part, our children only complained a little. Unless you call being called "Amish Rednecks" for our old fashioned backwards way by one child a major complaint.

Then came the little girls into a house with laptops, Internet, and video games.  We have an Xbox, a Wii, more computers than I'll publicly admit, an IPad and multiple IPods.  (we still are cable TV-less, but with Internet that's not that hard).  Add to that an older mom who is more tired and lazier, and their entertainment diet has been way more laden with junk than the older three.

Swan and Clone have let us know their disappointment in this development (respectfully of course and they have valid points I'm ashamed, or proud depending on how you look at it, to say.)

I am proud though that they haven't just voiced their opinions and done nothing.  During time home, Clone has frequently read the girls poetry and good literature.  And over the Christmas break, we broke out the Playmobil castle and set it up. 

The girls are pretty girlie girls though and the dollhouse would have been a better fit.  We never had that but Swan did have most of the sets that go with it.  So one evening, she and MWC got to work and the next morning Sunshine and Sweetness woke up to find this in Swan's room.  Sweetness stayed put for over 2 hours playing happily. (Sunshine lasted an hour before the call of the Wii got too loud.)

So now, Sunshine and Sweetness have decided to use their Christmas money from Grandma to buy Playmobil dollhouse sets....instead of Webkins.

Sweet!!