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Hey Dad,

"Reality TV" is all the rage. That's where supposedly real people are placed in supposedly real situations and then filmed. I've never actually seen one of the modern episodes. I quit watching reality TV after Gilligan's Island went off the air.

But I've come up with a great idea for a show. It involves eight dads and their children. Each is given a dirty car which they would have to had wash … you know, with a hose. The last father to go insane wins.

Of course, the more I thought about it, I realized that the world isn't up for that much REALITY in its reality. I know that when we washed the car the other day it got plenty ugly.

Oh, the kids love washing the car. They love to get out the bucket with its multi-colored sponges, mom's dish soap, and fight over who gets to use the hose.

Usually, they spend most of their time making a huge muddy spot in the driveway instead of washing the car. That's why I offered to help this time, forgetting how aggravating it can be to wash a car with five kids helping.

Actually it was everything I expected: the kids were covered with soap bubbles, there was plenty of laughing and miss-aimed hose-squirts, and the car ended up dirtier than when we started.

BUT the kids loved it. They always do. Which means, we'll have to do it again.

So dad, want a great dad/kid activity that won't cost much … except your sanity? Sometime in the next couple of days, announce that you're going to wash the car and you'd like their help. Be prepared to get soaked, see the kids covered in suds, and have a filthy, dirt-streaked car afterwards. But I guarantee it will be worth every moment of mayhem.

If your kids are older and have cars of their own, offer to help them detail their car. You know, clean every nook and cranny until it shines. Talk about quality time.

Your kids will love you for it and will probably say what Sam said to me that night as he lay in bed: "It was fun washing the car today, Dad."

You 'da dad,

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