Cannon kids enjoy day of play Published Sept. 29, 2010 By Greg Allen 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- As if they needed a reason, children at the base here participated in an official "Worldwide Day of Play," Sept. 25, in an event that encourages youngsters to turn off their televisions and computers and go out and play. They, along with many parents, gathered at the Youth Center to hula hoop, toss bean bags through plywood dragons with their mouths open, and knock down wooden pins. There were prizes for everyone as youth center employees were kept busy chasing down errant balls and balloons. For Laquisha Ball and her two children, Tre, 8, and Ania, 3, the day of laughter, giggles and fun helped them face more somber times ahead for them. Staff Sgt. Kalvin Ball, 27th Special Operations Component Maintenance Squadron, had just deployed, and his family was facing months without him. "Tre is taking it (his father's absence) the hardest," said Mrs. Ball. "We'll be spending a lot more time here during the next couple of months, especially since I work here." The first day of play began in 2004 when the Nickelodeon Channel promoted the idea and even suspended its programming for three hours to encourage children to go outside and be active. This year the channel flashed across its screen, "Today is Nickelodeon' s Worldwide Day of Play! We're outside playing and you should be too! So, turn off your TV, shut down your computer, put down that cell phone, and go ALL OUT! We'll be back at 3! " The event has caught on worldwide, but for Lara Kennedy, who has worked at the center for three years, the day kept the smile on her face. "I just like working with kids," the psychology major said. "I like to see them have a good time." As for Victor Gonzalez Jr., when asked what he thought about a "Worldwide Day of Play," he merely said, "I'm having a lot of fun." Too much fun, in fact, to do very much talking. He was too busy hopping around with a balloon between his legs, trying to keep it from popping.