And he’d likely be just as happy with a Lego Star Wars set...

My pride-and-joy turns 10 this Tuesday, but we'll be doing the party-thing on Saturday night. Plans had been to take him and a few of his friends to an indoor water park (an idea that looks even better now, for reasons that will be clear). But in talks between him and his mom (coincidentally my wife- what are the odds?!), they agreed that he'd rather have a simple party and instead have a little nicer gift.

So, Sander and three of his friends are going to have a sleepover at our house. How are we going to keep 4 fourth graders amused for hours? Ideally, we'd like them to be able to amuse themselves, and be grown-ups for a few hours, rather than baby-sitters. Well, video games seem an obvious choice. Our selection of PS2 games are limited to the Guitar Hero series and some games for Daddy that are NOT kid-appropriate. Call me old-fashioned, but I think a kid should be old enough to fire a .22 rifle in real-life before they wander through screens full of ichor and entrails.

Even more obvious, is the new system-Wii! Problem is that apparently half of the civilized world came up with the same idea, so it's not something one can just go to a store and buy. But good news, I'm told yesterday: the local Best Buy is getting a new shipment. At least 18 consoles will be available.

Some quick math... 18 consoles, divided by the estimated 252,672 people who want a console and would drive to the store... means if I'm going to have a chance, I'll have to get in line early. Good news- our first "devastating snow storm" of the season has left 10 inches of the snow on our beloved state. That eliminates 27 people from above, who don't have snowmobiles ready to go.

My sleeping habits have been screwy for a few weeks, but they are screwy enough on the weekends as is. So, when I roll out of bed at 4:30 am, and look out at the winter wonderland, debating whether or not I'll even be able to get out of my driveway, let alone make it to Best Buy, I question my sanity.

And my sanity loses.

Layer upon layer of clothing. Full pot of coffee. Folding chair. I even pack a DVD player. This is 5 am, and the store doesn't open until 10. I half-expect the line to be full by the time I get there, and I wouldn't mind all that much if it were, but just in case- I'm going to be prepared.

I'm 5 in the line!! Holy cow! I almost have to stay in line now, don't I? Yeah- I have to sit outside, in 20 degree weather for 5 hours, so I can spend way more money on my boy than I ever intended to.

1 hour in, the coffee gets very cold.

2 hours in, the coffee starts asserting itself upon my bladder.

3 hours in, the battery on the DVD runs out. And the bladder is pointing out the absurdity of having drank nearly a full pot of coffee.

4 hours in, the instinctive shivering sets in. The bladder is screaming, but now way I'm bailing now.

5 hours later, my wife calls, and asks whether or not we actually want to buy a Wii. One way or another, I'm buying a damn Wii- even if I have to return it half an hour later!

Then, beloved warmth of the store. A quick swipe of the credit card, and then a mad dash to the bathroom. A run to the bakery gets his cake ordered, and breakfast to bring home to wife and son. Then it's a LONG soak in a hot, hot bathtub. Ah....

So, come Tuesday, when my son turns 10, he'll be able to open up his new Wii and be filled with joy and excitement. I just wish I could pack up the 5 hours in the cold to give him as well.