Neighbors' sons hoop exploits irritating

DEAR AMY: We are very annoyed by the noisy kids next door (boys ages 6 and 8). They play basketball for hours seven days a week. While bouncing multiple balls at once, often with several friends, there is screaming and yelling. The bouncing ball can be heard in every room of our house, even with the windows closed. Unfortunately, it's loudest in our bedroom and master bath, which are close to the fence surrounding their yard and basketball net. My husband has asked the parents several times for the noise to be lowered a bit, and things would get better for a day or so, but then it ramps back up again. The mother said we are the only neighbors who have complained. She said, "My kids deserve to play for a few hours every day." We're at our wits' end and hope you can suggest how to get through to these people. We would like to be able to use our outside space without it sounding like elementary school recess.Unhappy Neighbors

DEAR NEIGHBORS: Your neighbor kids do deserve to play for a few hours every day.

You live in an environment where houses are very close together. If you lived on a highway, you would have to tolerate traffic noise. You live cheek-to-howl with little boys; noise will definitely happen.

You should ask this family to agree to "quiet hours" -- no basketball before 10 a.m. on weekends or after 6 p.m. during the week, for instance.

DEAR AMY: "Lonely Team in the Burbs" described my situation. Like this Lonely Team, my husband and I didn't really fit in with any specific group of people. I'd like to suggest that they try contra folk dancing -- they said they were a little on the "dorky" side, and that pretty much fits the description of our dancing group.

Contra Indicated

DEAR CONTRA: Great suggestion!