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"Hi Grandma and Grandpa," our eleven-year-old grandson greeted us on our answering machine, "I don't want you to think I'm being greedy or anything, but I know what I want for Christmas."

Then Danny went on to tell us in clear and precise language not only what he wanted, but also the item's product number, and the toll-free telephone number we could call to order it. What diction, what perfect directions. We were very impressed with his adult-like performance.

As a grandparent who can't resist pleasing her grandchild, I immediately called the number Danny gave us, ready to place my order, but I was told, "I'm sorry, but that item is out-of-stock."

Wow, I thought, how could that be? I was ordering it directly from the company that made the product. Why didn't they make more so there would be plenty to go around?

Catalogue senders apparently play games with their potential customers. My grandson found his heart's desire in a new Lego catalogue. I got the same catalogue in the mail.

These days, once you buy something from any company, you're on their mailing list. Both grandsons have always loved Legos, and I think they're a great learning tool, so this was not the first time I was ordering a present for one or the other of them.

Once I got turned down on Danny's first choice I perused the Lego catalogue to see what else was available in the Star Wars category. Both boys are avid fans of any book or game with the Star Wars imprimatur. They have memorized every book written on the subject down to every character in any of the Star War movies. This includes descriptions of the warring parties in the stories. They know the actual number of warriors as well as their battle tactics. It's awesome to hear them talking about a fictional creation with as much seriousness as a scientist about his research.

Eventually I did order a gift from Lego for Danny but it won't be delivered until after Christmas.

Now, I don't know about you, but it would break my heart not to have something waiting for my grandson to open on Christmas morning. Fortunately, Danny loves comic characters like Garfield — he's been reading the Garfield books since he's five and has just about memorized all the dialogue.

It's our delight to have the boys read to us as we travel on the road during their summer holidays. I think the fact that we love to listen to them on long car trips encouraged them to love books and reading.

If you still haven't connected to the Internet, you're losing out on a marvelous tool for making life easier. During his Thanksgiving visit with us, my older grandson, thirteen-year-old T.J., used my computer to search for exactly what he wanted for Christmas. Not only did he find the item, but he searched until he found it at a bargain price. Then, before he left to go back home he printed out all the directions, using a yellow marker, to make clear just what I was to do to make this purchase. It couldn't have been easier — and quicker.

So taking a cue from my clever grandson, I searched the Internet for a present for his brother. Once I got to Amazon.com, the rest was a cinch. There was just the package of books waiting for Danny's clever mind and good eyes: a collection of Calvin and Hobbes books.

So not only will I have something for him to open on Christmas day – but it will actually be a surprise. Merry Christmas all and happy holidays.

E-mail Barbara Bova at babova@naplesnews.com