Sometimes The Littlest Things

[BilletHead]

While walking thru Harbor Freight the other day, I about broke my neck when I saw a display of aero copters. The misses says 'what the heck are those?' I said you shot them in the air and they helicopter back to earth. Heck, I remember them from the early 70's...I'm surprised they were not outlawed by some sue-happy people as you could shoot someone's eye out with them!! I used to tweek the rubber band on them to get extra height shooting them in the air. We HAVE to get those for the grandkids!!!! And we did!! Now back to yesterday when we had Christmas with our son and family...when opening their goodies, they looked at them like what the heck is this!' I told them what they were and said we would play with them later this weekend. They got shoved to the back of the pile and were forgotten. Now, to today, as we ate our goose fajitas for lunch, I told the grandkids as soon as we finished we would go out and shoot the helicopters things. They gave me a funny look, and after cleaning up lunch, we got them out. They each opened their 2 packs of whirly birds, chose a color, stick, and rubber band. They looked at the stick and rubberband like what do I do with this! I showed them how to attach the rubberband to the stick and thought to myself at their age I had made many rubberband guns and beanie flippers terrorizing the neighborhood. Boy how times have changed!! Anyway, of to the field we went; told them what they needed to do; confusion set in and with a little encouragement and further instructions the first one was launched. Giggles and screams ensued, as they rocketed skyward and twirled back down. Next thing I know the son and daughter-in-law got involved....as I realized that my son had never had one of these. I grabbed the camera and shot some photos to share!!

BilletHead

[mic]

Awesome. Ever try the toy museum in Branson? There were a few in there that brought back memories. My favorite was a wind up evil kenivel motorcycle.

[DaddyO]

That's cool. Thanks for sharing with us.

[Gilly]

Do you remember water rockets? They weren't very big, maybe 6"tall. You'd put some water in them, attach them to the hand held pump, pump air into it, release the trigger and whoosh....up it'd go! Haven't seen those for a long time either.

[BilletHead]

Yep remember those also.. Had one. How about the rocket where you filled it with vinegar, had a little capsule in the bottom you put baking soda in. You tipped the rocket mixing the stuff up and quickly put it on the launcher. Waited a few seconds for pressure to build up and released the trigger. A big woosh and up it went. Oh the memories. Grew up in So. California. Had this big Church on a hill. For erosion control on the hill side iceplant was planted. We used to go to the furniture store and get a big box. Opened it up, rolled the front some like a sled and rode that sucker down the hill. It would scream to the bottom. No video games just pure imagination. I am feeling old now,

BilletHead

[Gallagher]

. Oh the memories. Grew up in So. California. Had this big Church on a hill. For erosion control on the hill side iceplant was planted. We used to go to the furniture store and get a big box. Opened it up, rolled the front some like a sled and rode that sucker down the hill. It would scream to the bottom. No video games just pure imagination. I am feeling old now,

BilletHead

Yeah, we used to do that very thing in N.Cali, tall dry grass was FAST too after a few passes!!! Great times!

[dennis boatman]

...must have been a California thing..we did it too...

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

My boys got those same 'copters this year. They also got cap guns, and cap grenades. I was very surprised to find the old style paper caps at the local Dollar General store. I am on a mission to buy my kids as many toys that spark thier imagination and make them use thier hands.

[BilletHead]

We played Coyboys and how should I say it ? Native americans which most of us are since we were born here even if it was southern California! Played Army and we shot each other with toy guns and we all did not go berzerk. Outside all the time without video games. Maybe pinball if we got to go out to eat. Built forts in the empty lot next door. Had bb guns and shot plstic toy men, and still we all turned out ok. Had some firecrackers from South of the Border (big ones) and blew up things, still did not go off the deep end????????????? wonder if we were raised different back then? Caught lizards, horned toads, snakes and all other critters. Played with them, kept as pets and let them go. Burned ants with a big magnafication glass as they came out of the ant hill. I guess that is about as wharped as we got back then.

BilletHead