Ninja Birthday Wishes

Well, my stepson Bradley just gave us his birthday wish list. Although he's turning 14, he's really more like an 11 or 12 year-old. He is not remotely interested in cars, girls, sports or music yet. He spends his time watching anime cartoons and playing Bakugan and Naruto (these are Japanese "dueling" card games for you non-parents). So, for his 14th birthday, this is all he asked for:

1. Ninja Hand claws (one pair) -- for scaling trees and walls. Seriously.

2. Ninja Foot spikes (one pair) -- A few years ago for Christmas he asked for Ninja "toe claws" and a grappling hook. We told him no friggin' WAY. Guess he's decided it's been a few years so he's old enough now.


3. Ninja shoes -- these are black sock-like shoes with articulated toes. I guess in case he needs to grasp said trees and walls with his feet like a monkey.

4. Sasuke Sharingan Contact lenses -- believe it or not they make special contact lenses so you can have eyes like your favorite anime or horror movie characters. These are red & black with a whirling star.
5. Riding Helmet -- because when you're scaling walls and scaring bad guys with your blood-red eyes, safety still comes first.

Add it all together & it's a pretty scary picture, hunh? The tricky part is saying "there's not a chance in hell" without squashing their youthful dreams and exuberance. Usually it goes something like "It's so cool that you want to be a ninja, AND a gardener! You're so creative! And if you stay in school, someday you can get your own place & buy all the ninja weapons you want!" LOL.