Fighting Zombies

I've never been a fan of horror movies -  "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" anyone? - or TV themed shows of walking dead people but these monsters provide a wealth of entertainment when it comes to spending time with the three year old grandson, The Wee One . We didn't invent these characters for him to fight and defeat. I believe the influence of schoolmates is involved since playground games occasionally include the little guys walking around with their arms extended in front mummy style and the rest screaming and running to get away. I guess this is Cowboys and Indians updated to a current theme. Or maybe a more sinister game of Tag.

Securing the condominium hallway version involves hiding at the entrance to the tunnel of doom until The Wee One "sees" Zombies, points out their location, then grandpa charges into the fray throwing spider-like webs from the tips of his hands and using finger pistols to fight them off. The epic conflicts sometimes involve injuries (faked) to arms and legs that need the immediate ministrations of their fighting comrade. A miraculous recovery is made and they are back to their battle stations. Occasionally a balance ball is called into action so it can take the zombies out bowling ball style. More often than not there is a quick retreat back down the hallway accompanied by the shrillest screams you have ever heard. Hopefully the Zombies (and the neighbors) wear earplugs. I'm not sure who ends up out of breath sooner, the younger one who forgot to wear his pants to the battlefront or the, er, older one who feigns "taking a hit" in order to spend time sprawled prone on the floor.

Eventually the Zombies are cleared out or there is a diversion provided by Grandma ("Does a snack sound good about now?') and The Wee One is content to color, put together puzzles, or play with action figures from any number of popular children's films. Grandpa is allowed to recover.

But the Zombies will be back. They always are.