Well, the fairy houses came out quite well. The greenery will look wilted and dry in short order, but the structures are sound enough that new greenery can be supplied whenever the kids are in the mood. I may need to make one for Patches too. Although I suspect any “fairy house” I make for him will be more likely to be populated by cars and vehicles than by winged people. Kiki’s fairy house sports a peaked roof, a clothes line, and a “for sale” sign. Apparently her fairies are moving soon. Gleeks fairy house has a flat roof, a single stick for a “door”, and a nest bed inside made of grass clippings. Gleek clipped the grass herself with a pair of scissors. Cutting grass was facinating for both Gleek and Patches. They sat there snipping away for 30 minutes or more. I had visions of them snipping the whole lawn short. But somehow I don’t think “even” is something they could manage and they simply don’t have the persistence to do it all. More is the pity.
When the evening grew too dark and cold for fairy houses, Kiki and her friend started hanging around in the kitchen at loose ends. I took the opportunity to grab my brand new game called “The queen’s necklace” by Days Of Wonder. This game arrived just this morning in a package from the wonderful Hawklady. The three of us sat down and became gem merchants trying to out sell each other. I’d never played the game before and so we were all learning together. Unfortunately at 33 I absorbed the rules and strategies a lot more quickly than the girls did. I walloped them. I hadn’t played the game enough to know how not to win. Yes I throw games in favor of my kids sometimes. It is more important to me that gaming be a fun experience than that it be challenging. The next time I play, I’ll be in teaching mode where I’ll discuss strategies with the girls. I’ll help them quickly come up to speed on how to play the game. Once I’ve done that, no holds are barred and I can play full out. We’ve reached that stage with other games like Star Munchkin and half the time the kids beat me.
Right now the girls are watching Phantom of the Opera. Niether girl had seen it before. At first I sat down with them, but I discovered that with an expert sitting right there, they were constantly asking questions about motivations and other more random things. Most of what they asked would get answered later and was supposed to be a mystery. I decided to find something else to do and let them muddle through by themselves. Judging from the reactions I’m hearing, they’re doing fine and enjoying the movie.
Next I get to make them go to bed. Whee.
Photos?
I would be more than a little interested in seeing a few photos of the kids fairy houses. My grandkids and I have more than enough fun in the yard, but it’d be neat to see what your kids came up with.
Photos?
I would be more than a little interested in seeing a few photos of the kids fairy houses. My grandkids and I have more than enough fun in the yard, but it’d be neat to see what your kids came up with.
Re: Photos?
I’ll get some pictures on Monday after Howard returns home with the camera. He took it with him to the convention.
Re: Photos?
I’ll get some pictures on Monday after Howard returns home with the camera. He took it with him to the convention.
On throwing games
I agree with you that it’s better to make sure the other players have fun than it is to make it challenging for them. It’s especially so for kids, but true for anyone, really. This is pure self-interest for me: if I thrash my friends the first time they play, they’re less likely to be willing to play again. 🙂
But I think I’m personally more inclined to handicap the best players (or the adults) rather than having them play badly on purpose. That has the same effect of giving the kids a better shot at winning, without the kind of implicit dishonesty or false confidence that playing badly might provide. I don’t know that it matters as much with kids, but it always kinda bugs me if I know or suspect that someone is throwing a game to make me happy.
On throwing games
I agree with you that it’s better to make sure the other players have fun than it is to make it challenging for them. It’s especially so for kids, but true for anyone, really. This is pure self-interest for me: if I thrash my friends the first time they play, they’re less likely to be willing to play again. 🙂
But I think I’m personally more inclined to handicap the best players (or the adults) rather than having them play badly on purpose. That has the same effect of giving the kids a better shot at winning, without the kind of implicit dishonesty or false confidence that playing badly might provide. I don’t know that it matters as much with kids, but it always kinda bugs me if I know or suspect that someone is throwing a game to make me happy.
Re: Photos?
I’d love to see photos, too! I hope they’re up now — I’m some days back on my friends list. =)
Re: Photos?
I’d love to see photos, too! I hope they’re up now — I’m some days back on my friends list. =)
Re: Photos?
They are now: http://www.flickr.com/photos/81703963@N00/
Re: Photos?
They are now: http://www.flickr.com/photos/81703963@N00/