After a yummy Sunday night Grammy meal, Emma got out Monopoly (from my newly cleaned basement) and away we went. Your Mom joined us (she took this picture). Some people don’t like board games (Grammy). Others will play but don’t have a lot of patience. I showed you how to play a quicker version (A) shuffle the property cards and hand them out to each player at the beginning and (B) allow players to make property trading deals any time during their turn. Despite a much faster pace, some people (your Dad & Mom) got tired of it. I went to the bathroom and when I got back, Monopoly was packed up and put away… with no winner! What!? I tell you, that was a hard pill to swallow for a board game junkie like me. A shame, a real shame, there’s gotta be a winner, ha!
Category Archives: fun things we did together
a hot time on our summer 3M adventure
Something fun. Something spooky. Something yummy. Something cold. Something beautiful. Something unexpectedly scary. Something rewarding.
That was the lineup for another classic 3M August day, which kicked off sunny & hot. It ended up being an epic day of sorts, the last day we’d have an adventure via the white GMC Yukon. Seven days later, it was traded in for a new Ford Explorer.
Something fun:
After getting a bite to eat at Dunkin Donut’s in Hampton (which had a big wooden eagle in the lobby, who knew??!!), I used my GPS to find a mini golf course I’ve heard good things about in North Hampton. 
It was tucked away across the street from a driving range, hidden from Route 1 above. Three highlights: (1) we were the only people playing on the course, a first, (2) one of the holes featured a profile of the Old Man of the Mountain (see pic below) and (3) at the end of the course, you guys decided to golf backwards, hitting the balls back up the tubes that emptied to the holes. You weren’t hurting anything or bothering anyone, (and honestly it was cool seeing the colored balls shoot up into the air). I soon joined you in the madness.
It was already getting pretty darn hot. As we made our way to Portsmouth, the temperature was in the mid-80’s.
Something spooky:
Next up, the Historic John Paul Jones House. The guide taught us things about the house and even posed a few questions to each of you. I had read it was one of Portsmouth’s haunted locations, so we stayed alert for ghosts and spirits. The spookiest part were the many old portraits in the foyer… as we moved up the staircase, their eyes followed us!
across the street is the Portsmouth African American burial ground; we paid a quick visit
something Yummy:
Hungry hippos, we ate yummy subs at Googie’s on State Street, one of Ben’s favorites.
then something beautiful:
after filling our bellies, it was time to walk off our lunch. Nearby Prescott Park was just the place to do it… the splendor and beauty of their gardens in August can’t be beat.
hot scare – the sun was beating down; the temperature had risen to 90 degrees. After we relocated to Market Square, we walked around a bit, and all of a sudden my head was woozy. I felt like I was going down, about to pass out. It was a little scary. I reassured you guys, but we jumped into the Youk and soon the AC blasting onto my face got me back to normal. You guys weren’t sure what to think… it was the first time you’ve seen me in a weakened state, and I hope it was the last time. Sorry about that!
something cold… high time for a refresher, we ventured across the street to our favorite ice cream shop. You loved your Superman multi-colored waffle cones!
something rewarding…
Off we went on our final escapade… to Dover Bowl for late afternoon arcade fun. You earned thousands of tickets (over 5,000), enough to get three giant bouncy balls.
We just saw one of the biggest movies in history!
Star Wars, always my favorite sci-fi movie, debuted the latest film in the now seven film franchise this week: The Force Awakens. Uncle Tim, Camden, Ben and Emma (aka The 3 Musketeers) and yours truly made the journey on a cold winter night, the day after the official opening on Friday, December 18.
It was a big deal for a bunch of reasons:
- It featured the original “big three” actors – Harrison Ford (as Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia). and Mark Hamill (in a brief cameo role at the end as Luke Skywalker).
- it was directed by J.J. Abrams (his first Star Wars) who lovingly returned the movie to its “original three” standard of quality (the second three films were not very good in my and many others’ opinions). It was like watching the original Star Wars from 1977!
- We went with your Dad aka “Uncle Tim” who was born in 1977 and grew up loving the Star Wars movies. In the early 1980’s, I built a six foot x four foot Star Wars set in our basement at 1 Rowland Street in Somersworth, NH that featured a swamp (where Yoda lives), the winter planet “Hoth” (featured in the second movie “the Empire Strikes Back”) and a sand planet (Tatooine where Luke lived as a boy, featured in the first Star Wars). We’d play for hours with the figurines, battling the Dark Force.
- the movie eventually set all kinds of records including the fastest film to gross $1 billion – 12 days. And the biggest worldwide opening weekend and single weekend gross – $529 million.
- Emma and Ben – you had never seen a Star Wars movie, so this was your first experience.
- Camden (thanks to his Dad) binge-watched all six of them before seeing the Force Awakens.
- whether it was your first Star Wars experience or 20th, it was fun and fantastic.
a special one-on-one day in Portsmouth
This was a good week because we spent a lot of time together (thanks to school vacation).
On Tuesday, we had 2013’s Three Musketeers Adventure # 1 (see other blog). On Thursday I picked you up in the morning and brought you to Portsmouth.
First we hung out at the office. I had a few more things to finish up, so I set you up across from me at my desk. We faced each other, me at my keyboard… you drawing on fresh sheets of white paper. We’ve done this many times over the years since you were a little kid. Just you and me, eye to eye, in very close proximity, talking about ordinary things. always joking around.
You were busy working on a new project. When you came into my office you had looked at my door where I put drawings from my grandkids and said:
this picture is old. I’ll make a new one.
You sounded embarrassed about the quality and evidently felt it was time to right this wrong and step up your game. This is what you made:
I asked you to hang it up on my door, then requested a signature and date on the new masterpiece. I keep a lot of my grandchildren’s artwork and like to know when it was made. Thanks for the colorful, funny and creative addition.
When you were little and visited the office, we had a routine. I’d put my office paraphenalia on the floor… the fish weathervane that comes apart… the Beatles Magical Mystery Tour bus…the big brass school bell… the Japanese gong… and the blow-up plastic balls. We’d crawl around and fool around for hours. I’d pick you up and put you on my black chair to see the boats going by and the bridge moving up and down.
So yesterday you said:
I like to play with your balls.
Then, looking at me with the knowing eyes of a young man who will very soon be 10 years old you said:
Oh, that doesn’t sound right!
That was a funny moment, a moment we wouldn’t have had when you were younger!
Lunch time was fast approaching – “Do you want Googies?” knowing full well it’s one of your favorite lunch spots. We found out what Grammy wanted, put on our coats and walked over. Googies’s was busy; we waited in line a long time to get your favorite: a small sub with provolone cheese, turkey and mayo.
They didn’t have milk, so I let you get a Hawaiian Punch, a drink that isn’t great for you, but tastes darn good. I remember drinking that as a kid myself… their advertising slogan was “You want a Hawaiian punch?” The character always held the drink in his hand, and the person he was talking to thought he was referring to the drink… but was always surprised receiving a punch in the face instead. Ah, the good old days of political incorrectness…
On the way back we stopped in at a new cupcake shop called Random Acts of Sweetness. You eyed a peanut butter delight and I was fond of a dark chocolate with buttermilk frosting.
We weren’t eating super healthy today, but what the heck, life is too short to never, ever make exceptions.
The three of us ate lunch in Grammy’s office. You are not a fan of picture taking anymore, you must get that from your Mom:
After lunch, we left again, walking on Daniel Street. On the way by the Post Office I explained how this particular building stood out (u-g-l-y) from the other wonderful historic period architecture and should have never been built. It was a product of the 1960’s when everything old was being torn down. Fortunately, at least in Portsmouth, people battled back and preserved the past.
In Market Square I peeked inside the Athaneum; the door was unlocked. An Athaneum is a place filled with historic artifacts, books and knowledge. Inside, I showed you some of the items, the sweeping ceiling, the carved miniature sailing ship hulls and the carved wooden figurehead of a woman that used to be on a sailing ship’s “bow,” facing the sea.
We walked along Congress Street for a bit, then turned around and walked by the Old North Church – I pointed to the sign indicating famous people who had visited there. “Are any of these familiar?” i asked. You said:
George Washington!
“Have you heard of Daniel Webster?” – you hadn’t, so I explained who he was.
I stopped beside the historic Warner house, pointing to a metal wire that went from the ground to a lightning rod on the roof of the brick building. “Do you know what that is?” You knew something about it and we discussed how lightning hits the rod and travels to the ground instead of catching the building on fire. “Guess who installed that on this building… it was Benjamin Franklin.” The same guy who “discovered” electricity with his kite and key. The patriot who helped shape America. Old Ben would visit Portsmouth from time to time in his travels.
Back at Harbour Place we jumped into the “Youk” and headed for the Bowlarama in Portsmouth. On Tuesday you had asked if we could go bowling; it didn’t work then, but it fit into the program now.
The place was hopping with so many NH kids on school vacation. You were a little unsure of the whole thing… the location was new and there were fresh faces all around. When we first got there you said:
“I don’t feel comfortable.”
I asked why and helped you through the moment. We put on bowling shoes worn by many other people for many years and bowled a couple candlepin strings. This was the first time you had done it without “bumpers,” so it was more challenging. You were nervous, worried what others were thinking. I pointed to the three people next to us and said “Look at their score.” It was MUCH lower than what we were bowling. I don’t think that persuaded you much.
Like life, there were ups and downs. At one point you said:
I’m not having fun.
I told you the story of when I used to go bowling with Grammy when we were younger and she’d beat me every time. And I was trying to win! Her Mom would tell her “You should let him win.” And Grammy would say “Why would I do that?”
We pushed through it, both of us rolling gutter balls and sometimes only knocking down two or three pins. But there were games when eight or nine pins fell and on two occasions you got two strikes, knocking down all 10 pins over three tries. I did it once.
Our final scores were close – we each won a string by a few pins.
I was proud of you for hanging in there, pushing through a challenge, not giving up and proving to yourself you could achieve something new. Remember this as you get older Ben… push yourself to get to a new, better place, don’t settle. You can do it, believe in yourself.
our first three musketeers adventure of 2013
“It’s time for a three musketeers adventure” I announced, “the first three musketeers adventure of 2013.”
You all looked at me, and in your own words, in your own time, you said:
“what are we going to do, where are we going to go, when are we going?”
“I’m not sure what we’ll do yet, but I can guarantee it’ll be something fun… and there will be something yummy,” I said.
“there’s always something yummy, are we going to that breakfast place we always go to?”
It was day two of school vacation – Tuesday, February 26 – a perfect time to get together again.
Sometimes you want me to tell you where we’re going before we go… other times, you like to play my riddle game. This time you were less patient:
“Just tell us what we’re going to do!”
… you all said excitedly from the rear of the “Youk” as I drove south toward Portsmouth.
“First stop: The Friendly Toast”
‘Yay! I’m going to get pancakes. Me too! Not me, I’m going to get french toast!”
“Second stop: the oldest house in New Hampshire.”
Uh, that one fell kinda flat.
“Third stop: a Fort where we’ll be able to play inside buildings and have a snowball fight.”
cool! a real fort? like a civil war fort?” Camden asked
I said, “it’s my favorite fort around here. You’re going to like it. It’s even better than Fort Constitution – the fort we saw last summer after the Gundalow ride.”
what’s after that?
“Fourth stop: the beach house!”
cool! we haven’t been there in a long time… can we play some board games? Ben asked
“Sure,” I said as we parked by Friendly Toast and prepared to get out. Here’s a photo of you guys when we first got there. See Goat Man? Ben and Camden like to make faces that make them look, well, not quite right. Funny!
Everyone ended up getting pancakes except me; Emma gave up on her french toast idea. I got two orders of crispy bacon for everyone to share. Ben loves the bacon, and so do I. Emma and Ben had orange juice and Camden got a vanilla shake. I ate a club sandwich and drank half of my chocolate shake. We were stuffed but ready for action.
Here you are after we had finished eating and you were fooling around (time to head out!):
Before leaving, you all made funny faces in the carnival mirror at the back of the restaurant. I think this is one of the best 3 Musketeers photos of all time!
Next up was the oldest house in New Hampshire, the Jackson House. I told you about the history, and pointed out the steep roof on the backside that almost touched the road. I tried to have you imagine what the land around it would have looked like over 300 years ago with no other buildings around. Hard to imagine now because the neighborhood is so built up. Here’s the Jackson House:
You were anxious to get to the fort- this was definitely what everyone was most excited about. Being the off season, it was closed when we got there, but we walked in and had the place to ourselves.
THIS PLACE IS AWESOME!!!!!!
you said as you ran ahead full speed.
I showed you around all the different structures: first the big mound behind which they mounted the cannons; the tunnel (flooded with ice and water; you could barely maneuver through it and Emma got soaked!!); the white blockhouse overlooking the ocean; the old gunpowder and munitions storage; a brick house without a roof and high stone walled areas.
After exploring, I started a snowball fight – me against the three of you. You hid in the brick building without a roof – I was outside, tossing snowballs over the walls. Then I’d charge the building and you’d fire away. One time I jumped through the door and we went at it, firing snowballs at each other point blank. Then we moved to the munitions storage building which was enclosed and a very neat place to hide. One time Ben ran around the back where I was hiding in a sneak-attack move. Emma joined my ranks at one point – she was getting cold from being soaked in the tunnel – and the battle continued.
Finished with the snowball fight we then played a game of target practice, snowing snowballs at targets on the brick walls.
After exploring the blockhouse area – with Ben and Camden sliding down the steep hill – we checked out the granite boulder field and then headed to the car, wet and tired but still laughing.
Next up was the final piece of the adventure – a quick trip to the beach house, now even more important because it would give us a way to dry wet clothes, turn up the heat, and bring everyone (especially Emma) back to normal. Ben reminded us about playing board games, selecting the game of Life and a sliding version of Sorry. You guys hadn’t visited the beach house since before Labor Day, so it was fun getting back. There was nothing to eat, so we passed out glasses of cold water which tasted great after our snow battles.
We would have enjoyed a walk on the beach, but alas, we ran out of time and headed home, satisfied and tired from one of our best adventures ever.
On the way home Camden said:
let’s have a three musketeers adventure every week!
our Dark Tower adventure
I’ve always been a fan of board games.
I remember playing – and loving – Candy Land and Chutes & Ladder when I was a real little kid. Later on – still pre-teen – my favorites were Stratego, Twister, Monopoly, Life and chess. Stratego was the best … I still play it via a phone app called “the General.”
When I was in my late teens and 20’s, I became a big fan of Risk. I really liked the battles, strategy and premise: conquer the world! I’d play this with my friends for hours which is literally how long it takes to finish it. Grammy HATES this game! 
When your Mom was a little girl, we’d play a wide range of board games, but her favorite was Mall Madness (which I’ve since introduced you to). It was right up her alley… “There’s a sale at the Fashion boutique and a clearance at the Department store.” Be the first player to buy something at four different stores and return to the parking lot!
In the 1980’s, a unique board game was launched called Dark Tower. I bought it and couldn’t get enough. It’s a battle game, but unlike traditional board games, it featured an electronic Tower that automatically kept track of each player’s assets (food, warriors, weapons, gold) and managed ongoing battles and supply purchases at the Bazzaar.
The object is to take your warrior, go around the board through four kindgdoms and return back to your original home location, while winning battles (sometimes losing) and accumulating three keys. 
Once back in your home kindgdom, having accumulated a big enough but well-fed army, you launch a final attack against the Dark Tower brigands having first solved “the riddle of the keys.” If your warriors defeat the brigands, you win the game.
Around Thanksgiving, I taught you and Camden the basics and we played for awhile. But you had to leave before we finished and you guys were NOT happy about it. I promised to play with you again soon and finish an entire game. I told you to get in touch with me (“you never call me,” I said) so we could set up a Dark Tower get together.
The following weekend, I got a text from your Mom’s phone – I thought it was her, but I found out later it was you – reaching out to set up a game day at my house.
“that was me texting you Papa!”
The next day I picked up you, Emma and Molly late morning and soon we were engaged in a Dark Tower adventure. You caught on quickly – it’s a fairly complicated game with 40+ pages of instructions – and we moved around the board. You really enjoyed the battles (which is the only way to win gold and keys), the ongoing sound effects and strategy. We were both disappointed every time the Dark Tower randomly “cursed” us, giving some of our warriors and gold to the other player!
Nearly two hours later you had assembled a large enough army to attack the Dark Tower and fight the brigands. Luckily, you had enough Warriors to battle successfully, and as the countdown continued (“27 brigands, 27 warriors… 25 warriors, 24 brigands… 24 brigands, 23 warriors… 23 warriors, 20 brigands… and so on) you finally were announced the Dark tower winner as the monitor displayed a warrior holding a sword above his head.
Here’s a photo of you and me taken by Emma during the game. We had lots of fun and I hope we get to do it again soon.
100 pieces no match for the three musketeers
I bought a new 100 piece pirate puzzle, but you, Emma and Camden mastered it in no time!
christmas craziness and the big surprise
Christmas Day was lots of fun. You came to our house late morning and stayed the day. After opening lots of presents and stockings, I announced we would be having a surprise scavenger hunt…. I gave you the instructions and you read them aloud.
The object of the game was to go into eight different rooms and find one white envelope in each. Inside each envelope were letters… each one spelling a word. Put the words together in the proper sequence…. and an exciting message would emerge.
You were a critical player in the whole grand expedition… you were the only one who could read and spell! Emma and Camden – in particular – joined the grand expedition. in earnest, with Ainsley and Molly doing their thing along the way.
After lots of running around and craziness, you all returned to the Great Room and figured out the puzzle. Here’s what it spelled:
Although we’ve taken you to Disney World twice before, we haven’t been since 2007. We’ll all be together – all 13 of us – staying at the Wilderness Lodge within the Magic Kindgdom. We are going to have a blast – let the countdown begin!
it’s hot tub time
you had a blast in the hot tub and didn't want to get out!
beach day in november
t-shirt barefoot beach day in late November