HoodedHawk

Dylan and I played a game of Risk 2210 this weekend. I finally managed to clear space to setup a gaming table in the man cave. This allows us to leave board games in play and continue later – without the little kids or the cat demolishing things. In this case, Dylan demolished me anyway, so no loss. I do like this version of Risk even better than classic – mostly because it is limited to 5 “turn years”, so doesn’t go on forever. It still suffers from the classic Risk game mechanic of rolling dice to attack, so you can (as I found) quickly lose ground by losing dice rolls (either attacking or defending).

This new version does have added features, such as command cards, which (if you are lucky enough to draw them) can quickly turn the game around. It also features underwater (naval) territories as well as lunar territories. Game mechanics such as having commanders (land, naval, space, diplomat, or nuclear) which allow you to roll (or defend) with 8-sided die, space stations (to help defend, or get you to the moon), etc.

But all in all, it’s still Risk, and still basically a terrritory-conquering game. Fun, but only occasionally. I’m trying to use it to get Dylan into board games, as he really likes Classic Risk. Next will be to get him to play War of the Ring.

Last week I read an interesting article in my company’s newsletter about a coworker who recently got back into model rocketry. He’s into the very large rockets (the ones that go like 50,000 feet up, and require coordination with air traffic, etc.). Anyway that renewed my own long-dormant (like 30 years) interest in model rockets, so this past weekend Preston, Dylan and I went out and launched (a smallish) one! This particular one is a simple, pre-built model. That way I could at least try it out with the boys to see if they liked it, but not have to spend a whole day building one. :) Anyway, yes, they loved it!

See below this text for a Photo gallery of the event…

This model has a payload section, but Preston had second thoughts at the last minute about sending “Sherman” up (his earwig he found earlier in the day, and was to be the test pilot). So we sent up a dandelion he found on the field where we launched the rocket (behind Dylan’s school).

Yep, had all the excitement I remembered – but none of the frustration. Seems the new igniters (vs. 30 years ago) are much more reliable, and they also come with plastic plugs that you use to ensure good contact with the engine. Result: a successful engine start each time!

Dylan was the “retriever”; he actually ran after the rockets without coercion, and convinced Preston to let him “press the button” at least once. Thus, I *know* he enjoyed himself. No mystery regarding Preston: when asked last night whether he wanted me to go to the store to get more engines to fire up more rockets, he said “Yes! Get a hundred so we can do it a hundred more times!” :):)

I had a picture of Preston standing next to the rocket as well, but unfortunately it was out of focus, so just imagine a little dude next to the rocket…

I already have another rocket (some assembly required ), so this might become a more regular outing. I’ll have Preston help with the assembly. We’ll see how she flies! :)

Me: “Preston, what was your high point today?”
Preston: “Dinner! I LOOOVE Pepperoni!”
Me: “And what was your low point?”
Preston: “Olivia breaking my car tracks…”
Me: “Sorry to hear that! Olivia, what was your high point?”
Olivia: “Breaking Preston’s car tracks!”

At least she’s honest. I was laughing too hard (to myself) to get her low point. :)

I was cleaning out my text message archive. Some of them I saved, such as below. I have changed the name(s) to xxx to protect the guilty (some are months old):

xxx: I have strep! 9:28 AM

xxx: Hi our mailbox is infested with ants. Do we have any more of the baits/traps? 9:29 AM

xxx: I turned on preston’s ceiling fan and his balloons are stuck in the fan stupid me :-( 4:56

Me: Do not ask a four-year old, “Could you be any louder?” if you expect any answer other than: “Sure can, Dad!” and the ensuing cacophony. Also expect accompaniment by a 2-yr old. 9:16 AM

Me: Olivia ate your sausage. 9:28 AM

Easter pictures of the littlest siblings. Let’s just say that this image took fewer tries than the Christmas portrait. Barely. But ain’t they just the cutest? Olivia likes to smile for the camera (daddy?) more than her brother, so there are more in-focus shots of her this time. :)

Click any picture for a larger view/slideshow.

One way I was able to get them to pose (a bit) was to let them know that if they let dad take some pictures out front they could go change clothes and go on an Easter Egg hunt in the backyard. That seemed to do the trick.
Olivia decided to open, explore, and play with the first egg she found. Intrepid Egg hunter Preston just zipped all over the backyard filling his basket with eggs. I think the final count was Preston: 21, Olivia: 3. Having mom stand in front of a couple and maneuver Olivia into place was instrumental in bringing Olivia’s egg count to more than 1. A good time was had by all.