Both of us had tried earlier in the day to blow up a couple of the balloons and though we stretched them and blew until we were in danger of a coronary attack we could not get them to expand.
We told the visitors that they probably needed a bicycle tire pump or some such device to get enough air into the dratted contraptions to make true balloons out of them.
Then James, the father of the two boys, took matters in hand.
And amazement once again!
As his face grew red from the exertion, the balloon slowly began to form, inch by slow inch.
After long minutes and perhaps a bit of wheezing he was able to lean back with the smile of a conqueror as he and the boys contemplated the result.
Great work, James, you showed us all how it's done.
The boys promptly left for the back yard where they indulged in wild and carefree (balloon) sword fights.
