Why boys don't want to play with girls

Over the weekend, we had a pleasant get away with some of Eric's family at our friend Hannah's lake cabin. Everything was wonderful, except for the weather (minor detail, right?). By Sunday afternoon the kids had played about 1,000 rounds of Guitar Hero, gotten thoroughly bruised and battered in wrestling matches, and cut a rug in more dance parties than we could count. Finally, Eric suggested they head outside despite the vicious wind and play "that super hero game" that the boys had been playing the day before. I cannot do the game justice, since I know next to nothing about superheros and even less about video games. The game is a combination of every cool video game they know and all imagined and yet-to-be imagined superheros. It has many, many levels, portals, and antidotes. No, I don't have any idea what that means.

Rewind to earlier in the day, Eva had sulked out to chat with Eric on the dock (away from the indoor ruckus that is 8 children and 7 adults in one cabin). Eric asked her if she was having fun. She responded with a somber voice, "Yeah, but why don't Evan and Ethan want to play with me?" Eric says, "Well, boys like to play boy games," or something. "What were they playing that you wanted to play with them?" A loooong explanation by Eva ensues, elaborating on fat men, super powers, blah, blah, blah. "That super power game."

So, the kids go out to play, and this time Eric is going to be certain that Eva gets to play along. Here's how it went...

Ethan (11): This finger's a chainsaw, this finger's a knife, this finger's a gun, this finger's a sword, this finger's a bomb.

Evan (almost 6): I have tornado power. If I do this, my tornado power will knock you down! What's your super power?

Eric (30): I have lightening fists and laser eyes. What's your super power, Eva?

Eva (4), thinking for a moment: Mom power! (I take this as a compliment)

Eric: So, you must have super hugs?!? Do you have any other powers?

Eva: Yes, ballerina power. When I put my hands up like this (arms above her head in a circle), that's ballerina power.

Ethan: Yeah! When you do that, we're gonna want to run away from you.

And Eva was wondering why boys don't like to play with girls....