When the world was warm...

As I've stated I have a few old posts which I've never published. If memory serves me, there from a time when the world we know was a little warmer...hence the photos of us rolling around in the yard. Soon enough it'll be warm again, and I can go back to acting like an idiot outdoors. But for now enjoy:

A little while ago, Declan and I became hooked on the Dollar Tree. Usually the toys aren't fantastic, but they can be fun if you look closely. And if you do happen to find something, as we did this time, the pay off is awesome.

We were searching up and down the aisles and we happened to see the glint of gold shining off of a dragon crested shield. After looking, we saw that there was also a helmet and a breastplate. But what good is a knighted hero without a villain? That's why we also found a dragon mask for Dad.

And yes, I do know that his sword is a paint stirrer, but alas, make due with what you have*.

So now, the ground shakes and the lands tremble. as these two do battle. What more could you ask for $3.00?

*since this post was written Declan has come across a shiny golden, plastic sword. One worthy of a true knight.

Swarr Family Theatre

Last night was yet another amazing Family Fun night here at the Swarr household. The Swarr Family Theatre and The Popcorn/Candy Shoppe was open for business as well. For those that don't know, Maribeth and I decided long ago to dedicate one night a week (Wednesdays) to have a Famliy Fun Night, where we have fun as a family...der.
Last evening, we took advantage of the glorious Redbox and watched the not so glorious Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. The movie started really slow, but upon the introduction of Buck (voiced beautifully by Simon Pegg), it ended up being fun. And I was also impressed by the ending. I think it was done well. The timing, the 'closure' of the story, etc. It was what it should have been. I've found endings to be important lately. The movie has to end well or it makes it seem like a waste of time.
Anyway...back to the theatre...Mommy and I showed up for our tickets and snacks first and Worker Declan was at the ready, candy and popcorn standing by. The movie poster, glowstick decorations and custom made tickets were all there. Then it was off to the register to make the purchase. Once we were all paid up, we were even escorted to our seats (to sit with the other plush movie goers). The lights went off and the movie began. Like I said, it was another amazing Swarr Family Fun Night.

TRAGEDY STRIKES THE FIRST ANNUAL LEGO BOAT REGALIA

This just in, ladies and gentlemen. The First Annual Lego boat Regalia has suffered a major tragedy. Of the 5 boats entered in what was to be an historic event, only two boats and three amateur sailors have survived to tell the tale.

This cool, fall morning began as any other. A light, crisp breeze pushed across the waterfront and calming birdsong filled the air. The excitement began to build as block after block was assembled and the boats began to take shape. Once completed and fitted with sails, the shoreline became riddled with spectators who came to witness history in the making. As the day progressed, however, no one watching could have known that they would instead be witness to one of the greatest tragedies in Lego boating history.

Early reports received stated that upon entering the water, many of the boats began tipping and taking on water, ultimately resulting in the capsizing of three of the vessels, including the royal ship of Schtupidberg. We cannot confirm if any royalty was on board, however we are still investigating. Witnesses to the event have been cordoned off for questioning, but some witnesses were quoted as saying the accident was, "horrifying, unbelievable and scarring."

The only three surviving members of the event include West Virginia resident, Cleaven Onetooth and his boat, Yard Junk and the leather clad duo of Dicky and JJ with their boat, The Streisand.

"Amateur tapes have been confiscated by local authorities and the cause of the multitude of accidents is still under review," said Hans Blockenbuilden, the representative for the event. "Until then, we can only speculate as to the cause. Until the findings are determined, we can only pray for the families and those affected by this horrifying accident."


**We must warn you, the photographs below may be disturbing to some readers.

[this image removed due to its graphic nature]

Other representatives for the event, who spoke on the condition of anonyminity, stated that they believe the design of some of the ships may be to blame, but they too are speculating. However in traditional Lego fashion, Hans Blockenbuilden was quoted to say, "the fallen vessels will be stripped down and we'll give it another go. That's just what you do with the little blocks."

The Rainy Day Obstacle

A couple of weeks ago it was raining rain outside, but apparently (I was told) it was raining hot lava inside (I'm glad my son imagines things like Hellfire and brimstone).

Anyway, it got me thinking. What if it was raining hot lava? We couldn't exactly go outside to play, but we could get some of that energy out inside...we can make a pillow obstacle course. It;s fun and easy, takes 0 prep time and actually engages the problem solving process.

First, set a starting point and an ending point. Then, for round 1, throw a line of pillows across the floor. Hop, hop, hop...done. That was easy. Now for round 2: make a zig-zag pattern, but don't tell him how to do it. Let him figure it out. Hop, think, hop, think, hop, done. Good. Now for round 3, I got a little bit cynical. I gave him a pillow at the starting point and made a huuge gap from the start to the first pillow. The idea is that he's to throw down the first pillow where needed and go from there.

Overall, the game was a success. He played it for about 30 minutes, which is awesome. You can get really creatve too, make his socks lava proof, but only for 3 steps or one hop. If you have different colored pillows, set a path for him where hee has to hit a certain color combination. The possibilities aren't exactly endless, but you can do a lot with it.

So the next time you have a rainy day, pretend there's 1000 degrees of orange fiery death-liquid on the floor and have some fun!

Destructive fun

When I was little I had a thing against mixing my toys. I would never take my GI Joe's and use them with my He-Man toys or my Ghostbusters and use them with my Thundercats. I guess it all started with the whole Transformers/GoBots/generic transforming robots situation: grandparents and the like would always get transforming robots and think there was no differnce between those and actual Transformers, but to an 8 year old boy...there was a big difference. A turquoise blue and silver peacock that transforms into a slender, feminine male robot just doesn't have the same appeal as a giant tank that transforms into a jet, a plane and an evil giant robot with guns.

Out of habit, I guess, I do the same thing with Declan. I try to keep toy integrity, but this time Declan got the best of me. He brought up a mixing of toys that I couldn't say no to. He looked at me with that evil boy twinkle in his eyes and said, "Can we build a giant wall of Legos and smash my monster truck through them?"

How could I say no to such boy-logic?

Legos are a boy's best friend

In the mornings we always have playtime. Sometimes Little Mister wants to play games. Sometimes it's action figures, but most of the time...it's Legos.We play Legos so much that the little Lego people now have names.

Hours upon hours have been spent putting those little blocks together and I must admit, there are times that I continue to sift through the Lego bin long after someone has gone up for bed.

They are a truly fantastic way to be creative and also use your imagination.

Crossbows and Catapults

When my brother and I were little we had a game called Crossbows and Catapults. We played the daylights out of this game. Day or night, rain or shine. We loved it.

The concept was simple. You had a small square, plastic mat and on this square you had to build your castle. The castle consisted of a single tower with a turret and a window and you also had about 10 or 12 blocks which you could position however you want to defend your castle. There was also a little flag for the top of the castle and you had about 8 or so little men too (which served no purpose really).

The objective: destroy your opponents castle using, you guessed it, your crossbow and catapult. 5 inches of plastic which could hurl and shoot discs across the battlefield and rain down plastic death for the little pointless men. The first one to get their flag toppled loses. It was awesome.

It was so awesome that I looked for this same game on ebay when the little man hit 4 years old. Building things, destroying things...what 4 year old wouldn't love it?

Much to my surprise, there was a recent revamp and re-release of the same game! Score! I snatched it up and we now play it all the time. They've dressed it up a bit though. The paint jobs are a lot nicer than the non existent ones of days past and they've redesigned the castles, added a cannon and also an extra catapult on top of the castle for added mayhem. And the castle has a rubber band loaded gate which, when hit, pops up and it 'catches' your castle on fire.

The game's instructions tried to turn it into a role playing game with movement based turns and such, but we're more primal in our destructive needs. We set it up and (taking turns) let 'er rip.

There are some small pieces to lose and I do recomend playing this on a hard, smooth surface, but the hours and hours of enjoyment are well worth it.

And who knows? Maybe someday we'll get around to reading the instructions. Maybe.

Nap tip no. 1

I've been having some trouble getting the little mister down for naps. He eventually does take them, but it's a battle...bribery didn't work so well, so...

Nap tip number 1?

Exhaustion...


...worked like a charm.

I lost.

Day 1 wrapped up with a great Lego extravaganza, a trip to the library and a championship match of Don't Break the Ice. The game was going beautifully...










Then I was given the deathblow, which was accompanied by a tiny, evil laugh...










And we have ourselves a new champion...