Annnnd We're Hooked

I'm not generally an early adopter, but sometimes I randomly jump aboard a train just as it is leaving the station. That's how it came to be that I already had the app installed and was up to my eyeballs in obsession by the time Saturday morning rolled around. I decided it was time to spread the love.

"Hey. Alexis. Did you know there's a new Pokemon app?" I asked.

"So?" she replied. "I'm not a Pokemon girl."

"Oh?" I said. "That's too bad because there's a Pokemon across the street." I had just jumped out of the shower and certainly was in no condition to be running around outside. The neighbors already think I'm crazy; there's no need to continue to prove them right.

"What?" Alexis asked. A few moments later, with my phone clutched in her hand, she sighed loudly. "FINE, I'll go get it."

And with that, she was out the door. I stood by a window so I could watch my scheming unfold. As Alexis looked both ways then crossed the street (good girl!), something miraculous happened.

The neighbor. The one that's a year older than Alexis. HE APPEARED. OUTDOORS. To give you a little idea of how amazing this is, I see him once per year. I see him on the first day of school, and THAT IS IT. Sure, he will be at school events like concerts and such, but I do not see him outdoors. Ever. I am by no means criticizing that fact - he's a sweet kid who will do great things in life. He's just going to do them inside because computers and games and indoors. Away from the sun is his way to be.

BUT HE WAS OUTSIDE.

And he had a phone clutched in his hand as he walked the same direction as Alexis. They didn't see each other. He was probably busy focusing on not spontaneously combusting from all that sun and Alexis was already sucked in. She had the Pokemon cornered and was trying to figure out how to use the ball to catch it. With her brow furrowed deep, she took small steps one way then another and very nearly crashed into the neighbor.

Neither one of them noticed.

It wasn't until he was a good ten feet past Alexis that he looked over his shoulder, registered what was happening, and then continued on his way after making the most amazing face because A GIRL WAS PLAYING. A CHEERLEADER, EVEN.

Alexis caught her Pokemon, returned to the house bouncing, and immediately informed me that we would be spending our Saturday catching things because "THIS IS SOOOO FUN!"

So we spent our day catching things.

As an extra special bonus, all that time outdoors meant we not only saw the neighbor outside multiple times, we found out that family has a dog. I think it might have gone for its first, second, third, and maybe even twentieth walk around the neighborhood that day.

Who needs a front porch for meeting neighbors when you can search for Pokemon with them?

Comments

[Jenna]

Same thing in our neighborhood today. I had a yard full of kids who chased Pokemon for awhile and then played some odd game they made up and then ran back to someone else's yard to chase Pokemon.

[Denise]

Exactly why I'm loving it. Well, that's one reason. Heh.