With my daughter turning five today, I decided to get her a game recommended for kids that are eight and up. Okay, that might sound worse than it is, but Othello is a very simple game to learn how to play, but to master it, can take years. This is a very old game and my family had it when I was a kid too, so there is some nostalgia associated with it. Because I will likely be the only one playing with Smallsteps, I will be able to adjust my game to let her build the skills and logic needed to improve and still keep it fun for her.
It is a "two birds with one stone" present, as it helps me build my own thought processes too. While easy to learn, I was surprised at how fast my daughter got into the game and started planning her moves, trying to make sure that she could maximize her turn, but not give me an opening to flip her pieces back to mine. The other thing I loved, was that she would think it through from a couple of positions and if she couldn't decide, she would ask for advice and I was able to give her a couple more options to select from. We played one game that took about 45 minutes as we were going through the moves and she didn't lose focus at all. I suspect by the time she is eight, she will be beating my regularly.
I let her win today - as it is her birthday and all...
We were meant to go out for a birthday dinner tonight, which she always loves, but we couldn't go because they decided to deliver half of the items that were meant to be delivered on Monday and gave us an approximate time between 5 and 9 in the evening. Luckily wit was going to be a surprise dinner and Smallsteps didn't know about it, but it was pretty annoying, because this was the reason that we chose and then rang to confirm the Monday delivery in the first place.
But, it wasn't a complete loss, because I was able to get started putting it together, which is useful because this is the first physical "work" I have done like this in a couple months and I don't think I could do many hours of it. I made it for an easy four hours tonight and will likely do more of the same tomorrow. We also discovered that pieces are missing that should have arrived and we will look into that tomorrow.
It is our wedding anniversary tomorrow (technically today since it is wee hours here now) and since I was unable to find anything to do that was only entertaining, I suggested we go secondhand furniture shopping. We are looking for various items to complement the mass-produced IKEA furniture, so that there is a little flavor and story to our rooms. A wooden chair or stool for the entrance, an old armchair for the lounge, ceiling lamps for the dining room perhaps and I want a standing lamp for the corner of the lounge too, but my wife doesn't like the one I do.
We are in no rush for any of this, so we can take take it easy and look for what we actually want and will suit. Things come up all the time here and there is a fair amount of 50s and 60s furniture available, though the condition obviously varies massively. Some sellers think that because it is old it is valuable, even if it is falling apart. No thanks. Unfortunately, the cost of upholstering in Finland is out of our price range.
There isn't much in our price range though really, but we are managing to get things organized now so that hopefully in a couple weeks, we will be prepared for guests. While her birthday is today, we are going to have people over to celebrate at the end of the month to give us time to prepare. My wife's family is quite large with the older kids having their fiancés as well now, so we need a bit of space to sit inside as the weather is very unreliable, making outside a challenge. Smallsteps doesn't mind at all.
Tonight, she got to open some presents that arrived from @galenkp and she was so excited, especially about a pair of plastic princess shoes with a tiny heel, and she clomped with difficulty (but determination) around the house for a few hours in them. She also got some clothes (they sent heaps but the larger ones we will give for Christmas) and she wanted to try them all on and have her picture taken on different angles to show how the look on for back in Australia. She has her own little modelling poses and I have no idea where she picked them up from, but she looks cute.
Tomorrow is a day and night away from our daughter, who has a very full birthday weekend planned with her grandparents, who have gone out of their way this year with home-made activities and culminating in a theater trip on Sunday. Her first trip to the theater ever. She has no idea what is planned, but her Mummi is super excited and keen.
Now, the weekend can start proper and I can get myself into bed, so I have the energy to build some more of the sofa tomorrow. Night all!
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
I fell into an upholstery machine once. I'm fully recovered.
Your children must make you drop them off two blocks from the school :D
Happy Anniversary! Eat cake! ;)
It is always pretty exciting when you get a package in the mail for your birthday! Especially when they come from far, far away.
I was just looking at my house today after you remarked about buying second-hand furniture. I was surprised to note that most of my furniture is used. Not by chance, but, choice. (now, at the time, it was affordable!) To be honest with you, it adds character to the rooms, little pieces here, big pieces there. I love the look and in many ways, I am glad my hand was forced this way, although I wasn't nearly as happy at the time, it just was.
They actually made furniture better and it is so telling when it lasts longer than the new creations. By the way, reupholstering is expensive in all things Western World. Sadly. I recovered my dining room chairs! YouTube and me. Shocked to learn that half of the cost was the fabric!
Happy Anniversay! Have a fabulous day! You deserve it!
I ate cake!
This is what we are hoping for. We have had to kill a bit of the character of our house in the renovation to make it more practical for us, but are looking to add a bit more in the feeling of the place. a couple well chosen items make a difference.
It is funny to think that my first apartment in Finland was furnished with very used and donated items, including the one plate, glass and knife and fork. It doesn't feel that great at the time, but having that place of my own here, completely changed my life in Finland. Without it (I had been living with a brother for six months as I was only going to be here 10 months), I never would have stayed.
Yep. It is worse when you want to restore it to original. I was looking at some of the original fabric costs and there is no way...
I used to love playing Othello. I haven't played for years.
Othello and checkers seem like extremely simple games until you go up against someone who has truly "mastered" the game. Then, you are shocked at how much skill/planning is actually involved.
It won't be long until she lets YOU win. ;-)
Wish her a happy Birthday from a stranger on Hive. And wish yourself and your wife a happy anniversary.
Good luck on the shopping experience tomorrow. I hope you find a hidden gem that fits perfectly into your imagined decor!!!
In our imaginary games, she does so already, so I don't feel left out. She is weirdly conscientious with this, which worries me. How is she going to be a banker?
I will tell her another stranger says happy birthday for you! :D
Oh, i didn't played GO in ages, i really need to do it once more. By the way, anyone knows any good website to play GO?
Childhood memories are the best. When you go through them, if a smile come back, the parents did their job right. Right?
I have never played Go, but is it similar? I have heard it is very difficult for those without a decent sense of logic - so I am screwed. @markkujantunen plays a lot, but I think he has disappeared in the last months.
I wish there was more smiles for me. I hope there are many for my daughter.
It looks like @markkujantunen has powered down. :( But, perhaps for another project here on the platform?
I challenge you to Othello game.
I suck at it. I am not joking that my daughter will beat me by the time she is eight! 😂
About 3 months ago, I began playing Go. For such a simple game, it's quite complex in nature. I've began to notice my own level of strategic awareness improving. As well as benefiting from self reflection in the game. Thanks for another great suggestion. Happy anniversary, and good luck with your project.
I have never tried, but I hear it is the hardest game in the world to master or something.
From what I hear, it can take decades to master. It's also the oldest continually played game in the world.
I never played othello, I didn't know that game, but I did play other board games like bingo, ludo and Chinese lady, with these games I had a lot of fun, I have always liked board games, happy birthday to daddy's princess.
LUDO!!
That was one of my favorites as a kid
Happy wedding anniversary Taraz, looks like it'll be celebrations all through the weekend
Celebrations and IKEA building :)
😃
I can see from the story that your daughter is very talented and intelligent!
Happy birthday to my daughter! Let her be healthy and happy!
And she loves bunnies :)
PS The house is looking great! These are exciting times and it is not even mine!
:)
When it is more ready, I will give a walkthrough tour and add some before and afters, if I can find the befores.
Yay! I look forward to it! I love before and after!
Happy Birthday to your daughter. I wish her a happy and healthy life.
Cheers :)
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