Dinosaurs come with much roaring

It always amazes me what interests a little boy. Once a boy turns about 2, the world seems to open up and that little brain starts absorbing all manner of information. And then the enthusiasm builds.

In the case of 3-year-old grandson Leroy, it’s the usual: monster trucks, fire engines, construction equipment, various cartoon characters and – best of all – dinosaurs.

Oh, how he loves dinosaurs. I’m not sure how he reached this phase, probably a cartoon he saw on TV, but wow, what a passion.

Now, of course, with dinosaurs comes roaring, lots of roaring. For his third birthday, Leroy received a couple of animatronic dinosaurs that walk and roar and light up, but what the little guy really loves is doing the roaring himself.

You should see the battles. Dinosaurs (and one dragon) everywhere on a field of battle attacking, roaring, charging, roaring, fighting, roaring, prowling and, need I say, more roaring. Leroy’s roars come from the diaphragm, deep inside the little fellow, and with each ROARRR comes a self-satisfied half-smile.

During the grandkids’ visit to our house in August, we discovered in the garage an old Noah’s Ark set and a pirate ship. So on the floor we had numerous dinosaurs, ark animals, Noah and pirates. It was quite a show. And then Susan got out the blocks, and Leroy built a zoo for the dinosaurs, the walls of which, of course couldn’t contain a T-Rex in any way, shape or form.

What’s really funny is seeing little 1-year-old sister Esme casually crawl (and now walk) through the field of battle as if dinosaur wars are simply part of daily life – which they are in that household – and something easily ignored.

One thing you learn when playing dinosaur war with Leroy is that you will not win. Just the other day, as we attended a family funeral gathering in Rochester, New York, I had two T-Rexes at my disposal, but Leroy’s Triceratops easily vanquished both of them – with much roaring.

You just have to go with the flow.

For Leroy’s third birthday in August, Papa David (yours truly) purchased a latex dinosaur mask and claw gloves and did battle with Leroy in his dinosaur suit. The battle was epic – and loud – and in the end the papa dinosaur ended up hugging the toddler dinosaur more than fighting him.

I’ll say it over and over. Being a grandpa is the best job in the world. I’ve had to adjust to the kids living in Ohio, but in a way that just makes each visit all the more special. And thank goodness for FaceTime.

Truly, these are times to cherish.

So here’s to grandpas, grandmas and grandchildren and an endless supply of gleeful games, activities and memories made. It’s truly what makes life worth living.