Photos Archives - Page 23 of 60

Games Addiction

August 18, 2011 TechyDad Games, Harry Potter, NHL, Photos, Video Games

For his birthday, NHL got many great presents: Books, board games, and even puzzles. His favorite gifts, though, were likely the Nintendo DS games. He received Tetris Party Deluxe, Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga, and Lego Harry Potter: Years 1 – 4. As soon as he was able to, he ripped open the packages and began playing.

Since then, he’s been nearly inseparable from his DS. He’ll sit on the couch or on his bed for hours on end casting spells or swinging his lightsaber. He’s become lost in the world of video games.

Of course, his video game addiction began early on. I introduced him to online Flash-based games when he was very young. He took to them quickly and showed quite an aptitude for figuring out how they work. Later, he began playing Nintendo Wii with me. He was very proud (as was I) the first time he beat me in Wii Bowling.

When B won a Nintendo DS in a giveaway awhile back, we set out finding some games that we liked and that NHL might like. B’s DS was quickly coopted by NHL to play Carnival Games, Super Mario and other games. With his latest batch of games, I don’t think we’ll pry him away anytime soon.

NHL takes after me when it comes to video games. I have fond memories of staring at an Atari 2600 screen playing Star Raiders and other games. When we got our first Nintendo, I was in awe of the incredible graphics of the original Super Mario Brothers. When I wasn’t reading a book, I was on the computer jumping, dodging, firing and more. Nowadays, I don’t have much time for games, but I still enjoy playing them here and there.

At one point, I watched over NHL’s shoulder (and helped a bit) as he played Lego Harry Potter. It looked like fun. So I decided to give the game a go. After NHL was asleep, I started a new game. Luckily, it allows for 2 save games so NHL and I can play separate games.

I helped Harry collect presents in Privet Drive. I prepared him to go to Hogwarts. I learned some new spells and battled some enemies. I ventured into the Dark Forest. Before I knew it, it was almost 1am. After saving my game, I reluctantly put the DS away and headed to bed.

I found that the game, in many ways, is very easy. You have unlimited lives so “dying” just means “being sent back a short bit.” Puzzles aren’t very hard to figure out. Still, it’s a lot of fun. (Just what’s needed after a hard day’s work.) I think I enjoying shattering objects using the Reducto spell a bit too much. (Couch? Reducto! Table? Reducto! Pile of books? Reducto! Christmas Tree? Reducto!)

The next morning, NHL began his gaming. He instantly got upset when he saw that I had gotten further along in the game than he had. (His exact words were “Dad, I’m embarrassed that you got further in the game than me.”) I think he’s been furiously playing more to make sure that he takes the Lego Harry Potter lead. A little friendly competition between father and son never hurt. I think tonight I’ll take up my magic wand and cast a few more spells.

A Day At The Park With Cousins

August 16, 2011 TechyDad Family, Food, Fun, Outside, Photos, Play

The day before NHL’s birthday, we decided to spend some time with Nana, Papa, Uncle I and Cousins S & B. First, though, we needed to return some Netflix DVDs. So NHL and JSL walked with me to the mailbox. Along the way, we spotted some mushrooms growing in someone’s yard. Given the boys’ recent obsession with certain little blue characters, I joked that Smurfs might be living in there. Luckily, I didn’t see anything come out of the mushrooms as I took photos of them.

With the Netflix DVDs mailed, we piled into the car and went to meet B’s family. We were meeting them at a local park that hosts a farmer’s market every Saturday. The boys were a bit annoyed at having to walk through the market since the playground was so close. Still, we made the best of it and looked at all of the interesting vendors. Sadly, I didn’t take many photos since I was trying to keep and eye on the little ones while looking at the wares for sale. At one stand, though, there was a sunflower for sale that a bee had landed on. I took out my camera and showed JSL and S just how I take bee macro photos.

We returned to the cars to get a quick drink and then off we went to play. We had taken our Aerobie Sprint Flying Ring, Z-Curve Bow, and Zing-Shot Launcher so we broke those out. The kids loved tossing the Aerobie or shooting the bow and arrow across the grass. (The slingshot had a few misfires so I put it away lest it frustrate the younger kids.)

Uncle I had two really good bow-and-arrow shots. In one, he hit JSL (by accident) from about 50 feet away. We all laughed about the good shot while JSL proclaimed that he wasn’t hurt because the arrow’s made of soft foam. The second shot was later on and rocketed a good 150 feet. It was quite amazing to behold.

At one point, we stopped by a veteran’s memorial in the park. I’ve been to this park many times and, for some reason, I hadn’t visited this before. It’s quite impressive (even if the lack of wind kept the flags from unfurling properly).

NHL used the benches at the memorial to show his love for his cousin.

Then, it was on to the park’s pond where we got to see ducks and fishes.

At some point, Uncle I took NHL away. You see, there’s one thing NHL loves more than anything about this park: the hedge maze. He was dying to show it to Uncle I. After a few more minutes admiring the ducks and fish, JSL wanted to show Cousin S the maze also so I walked them over.

Once at the maze, we all went crazy running through it. JSL even got brave enough to allow himself to be separated from me a few times.

Park play is hungry work, so we all went out to lunch. Well, we all went to go out to dinner. Unfortunately, B fell asleep in the car. (He had skipped an earlier nap so we were expecting this.) Nana and Papa took him back to their house for some much needed rest while the rest of us ate in the Cheesecake Factory.

Finally, it was time to go back to Nana and Papa’s house to play and (later on) eat dinner with more family.

Birthday Treats and Green Tongues

August 4, 2011 TechyDad Birthday, Cake, Food, JSL, NHL, Photos

Yesterday, as is our birthday tradition, we went out to dinner. The boys wanted to have dinner with B’s parents, so B and I went to Mr. Fuji. B has already featured the meal on her blog, but I had to feature some of the items in depth.

First up was vegetable sushi and a cucumber roll. When I ordered this, I was expecting a few rolls with a mix of chopped veggies inside. This is what I got instead.

You really need to click the photo and look at the large version to truly appreciate this. It was quite a pleasant surprise over my admittedly bland mental picture. The colors of all of the vegetables popped nicely. There were yellow peppers, orange carrots, green asparagus and more. The textures were nicely varied as well. From the crunch of the carrots and peppers to the creaminess of the avocado and the chewiness of the mushrooms. This was an amazing dish all around.

I had a birthday cookie cake awaiting me at home so normally I wouldn’t have ordered dessert. However, I had a birthday coupon for a free tempura ice cream so I decided to get it. I’m so glad I did.

I wish we got a good photo of the inside of this, but we were too busy eating it. At its core, this dessert is a large, hard scoop of vanilla ice cream. Right outside of that was a huge surprise: Cake! In retrospect, it makes sense. You need something to protect the ice cream from the hot frying oil. Of course, outside of the hard, cold ice cream and the soft cake was the warm, crunchy tempura batter. It was all topped sundae style with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and a cherry. Considering that this all would normally cost $4 (and that they also have a Tempura Cheesecake), I think I’ll be bringing the boys here for dessert one day!

After a brief walk around to digest our food, we went back to B’s parents’ house. There, we had a cookie cake.

I’ve got to admit to a fondness for cookie cakes. Regular cake is ok and cheesecake is great, but I really love a good chocolate chip cookie. Make it a giant chocolate chip cookie with frosting and YUM!

The only downside? Green fingers and tongues.

Of course, photographer-me had to try a macro shot of my boys’ tongues.

And, with that, this post has gone from drool-inducing deliciousness to disgusting!

What The Bug Is This?

July 22, 2011 TechyDad Bug, Photos

Thanks to the air conditioning units in our windows, we’re able to stay cool on these hot, hot days. Unfortunately, since there are gaps in the window/AC unit, we also get some unexpected visitors. Like this little guy.

He’s a bit small, so here’s a closer look.

His visit was short-lived as he met a squishy end. This was the fourth of these critters that have invaded our home. We can’t help but wonder what kind of bug is this? Are they living in our house or just coming in from outside? Any ideas?