Fun and Games

Madison and Daddy have been having an awesome time together with this new game, "Disney Universe." It reminds you of the Lego games a bit, and a tiny bit of "Kingdom Hearts," but for younger types like myself. It's nearly perfect for kids Madison's age, and even better when you get to have fun together with your Daddy. These characters are playing this game that goes through several different worlds - tonight we were in Wonderland. The end of our efforts got us a new costume: Alice. Madison has been laughing very hard at this game, and loves playing it with Daddy. Or anyone else, really. When it comes time to choose a game to play this week, the choice has been difficult for her. Do we go with the Kinect or with Disney Universe? Tonight, it was Disney Universe, and we had a blast with it. There are many, many costumes - some are very big and popular, like Jack Sparrow. Others seem a little bit more obscure, like a costume for Absalom (the caterpillar from "Alice in Wonderland"). More costumes are available for purchase online, and it has been said that they'll be hearing from the general public if anyone wants to suggest a costume for the game. That said, here are Madison and Daddy's choices for future costumes:

1. Herbie the Love Bug

2. Clarabelle Cow

3. Pete

4. Maximilian (from "The Black Hole")

5. Davy Jones

6. Rowlf the Dog

7. Perry the Platypus

8. Mulan

9. George Sanderson

10. Basil of Baker Street

Today was a day of minor accomplishments: trips to the bank, a visit to the church, and the start of the Desantafication Process. That in itself takes quite sometime, and is generally depressing. But games and toys are still cheering us up, as is our look towards the new year. January 23rd is Chinese New Year, and beyond that there is Groundhog Day and Valentine's Day. We were just looking at circus tickets for Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey, and on top of that the new Cirque show "Totem" is going to be here this year. Daddy's a little disappointed in the whole evolutionary theme - I mean, really? But still, the overall performance should be outstanding as always. Hopefully we won't get any scientific lectures based on folks' opinions made up before collecting data.

“Never theorize before you have data. Invariably, you end up twisting facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.” - Sherlock Holmes

What a world we live in. Just today we were talking about how different it is from when we grew up - and that wasn't so long ago. All we can do is continue to pray, and teach our daughter all she can, hoping that she has a firm foundation set up at an early age.

Speaking of which, Madison did more than just games today. Although, I have no problem with "just games" this week. It's a winter break, and as such, we're all supposed to be mentally "on vacation." However, her Leapster Explorer had her full attention in the car: math problems with the Penguins from Madagascar. I was so proud of Madison: she was solving the problems before the narrator could even finish saying the problem. Higher numbers are still challenging, and require a little help from Mommy or Daddy. But still, the Explorer is a great tool for helping kids learn. It combines fun with learning, and you can't go wrong there.

Another learning tool is the Tag system, which uses a "pen" that when pointed at pictures or words, will actually speak to you. It says, "Hey, put me down!"

Just kidding. This one will read you stories, or tell you interesting facts about animals. It all depends on what you're pointing the pen at. Even Daddy learned a few things from the animal flash card set we were playing with this afternoon. But next it was time to read "Cinderella," so Madison began turning the pages, and running her pen over the story, one word after another. We've come a long way since the small records that would play stories and tell you to turn the page at the sound of the chime!