The Notable Nanny

I went to Ohio for Christmas, excited to see my twin nieces(3) and nephew(5).  One of the most amazing things I noticed about their growth was that they seemed incredibly advanced to me. Amazingly they worked electronics my mother nay even I still can't grasp,   The electronic age has come a long way in it's short life.  From full room calculators to fully functioning "mini laptop phones" I was excited and saddened to see their electric world, knowing in time they may not ask Santa for that unimpressive yet highly huggable dolly, favoring their chances at a "Leapster" or Wii, that would be obsolete with the next technological wave.  I wondered if their prized childhood treasures would "work" if displayed on a shelf or passed down generations.  I was elated to see at least for now dolls still trump Nintendo and toy dinosaurs are still cooler than an ipod.  Hallmark just came out with a card that needs to be looked at online even after it comes in the mail...now that seems ridiculous. Don't get me wrong video games/intenet are doing great things to enhance learning and their value can be immeasurable, but the key to life is balance. Baking Christmas cookies, taking turns on a board game, riding a bike , taking a hike, playing  tennis in couples on a blustery fall day might be able to be simulated but can't be duplicated.....yet.