Sunday Afternoon Concert

And you thought you were the mayor...

Pinball Update: Getting Sticky Again

I have my machine set up for free play, so I don't actually use the coin slots, but I didn't care for the worn and bubbled coin labels. The coin slots were also grungy.

I ordered new red coin slots from Pinball Resource, but the coin labels were out of stock. Luckily, the Pinball Rebel website has labels that you can download and print off yourself.

The paper label looks fine, but I wanted to be able to see the letters and numbers better, so I tried the sticker trick I learned last month.

First lay the paper face down on some packing tape.

Use a spoon to get as much of the toner into the tape's adhesive layer.

Roughly cut them out and give 'em a 20 minute soak in regular old tap water.

Take them out of the water, and while they're still wet use your finger to rub the paper off the tape.

Yes, the tape will become sticky again after it dries.

I googled "red screen" to use my laptop to simulate the red coin slot. As you can see, I didn't do a very good job of rubbing the toner into the right piece of tape.

Actually, I thought the left label let too much light though, as well. But then I had the idea to overlap the two.

Hey, that looks pretty good!

Now the labels match the start button.

I love this trick!

Let's give credit where it's due:

Clear Stickers instructions

Pinball Rebel

"I'm Ready!"

When it comes to fastening seat belts, putting on sandals, or getting ready in the morning, "I can do it myself" translates into "This is going to take four times longer than it should".

For Grandparents' Eyes Only

If my daughter wasn't in it, I wouldn't watch this video of today's ballet dress rehearsal, either.

But she is in the video, and I can't stop smiling while I watch her dance. Watching also makes my heart hurt a little. I'm not sure why, though.

This is What Fun Looks Like? (part 2)

The Frog Hopper is one of Char's favorite rides, but on Sunday it was clear that Adventureland had taken its toll. Char was tired.

And crabby.

Yep, it's time to go.

Hallmark is Missing the Boat

When Charlotte talks about me she says, "My Dad".
When Charlotte talks about Daphne she says, "My Mom".
When Charlotte talks about her daycare provider she says, "My Kim".

May is Char's last month to go to daycare, and that has got me to consider what an impact Kim has had on my daughter.

I thought it would be cool to get Kim a Mother's Day card that addresses how much love daycare providers give. I couldn't find any. They sell cards that are "for the cat" or "for the dog", but not for daycare providers? That's a shame.

Char's been going to Kim's house since she was two months old. That equals thousands of diapers changed, hundreds of meals served, and countless tears wiped away. Kim has given Char gifts, kisses, and hugs. Kim has also put Char in time-out. They do craft projects together, and they argue about going shopping.

Doesn't that sound like parenting?

Since Hallmark doesn't sell the cards, and Charlotte's too young to say it herself, I'll write it for her.

Dear Kim,
Thanks for being My Kim when My Mom couldn't be there.
Love,
Charlotte

Never Had A Chance

(I wrote this entry three years ago, but I didn't post it. I don't know why. I guess I forgot about it. Daphne has a band concert tonight, and it will be a daddy-daughter night. Char won't be sitting on my lap like she is in the video, but we'll be lying on the couch watching whatever she wants to watch... she's still got my number.)

Charlotte loves the Starfall Camp's website.

The free version lets you explore the sounds of the alphabet and the construction of small words, while the expanded version also covers colors, numbers, and higher level tasks for older campers.

Playing on the "poot" (Charlotte's pronunciation of "computer") is mostly a daddy-daughter activity, and I suppose we spend about 20-30 minutes at Starfall Camp each day. Unlike rotating library books, the web site is the same day after day, and we've been working the letters page for over six months. It can get pretty boring at times.

Yesterday afternoon I made the mistake of letting Charlotte see me walking towards my room. She sped pass me to my computer chair, leaned into the soft cushion, and opened her little hands to the ceiling. While looking up at me she raised her shoulders, the corners of her mouth, and her eyebrows. She asked, "Poot?" Although it was the last thing I wanted to do at that moment, we spent the next 20 minutes examining the complexity of vowel sounds. 

In four days Charlotte will be 20 months old, and she's already got her Dad's number. I am in so much trouble.

Starfall link

Hey! We've Got One of Those, Too.

I'm sincerely happy for Prince William and Kate.

I know from experience how great it is to have a Princess Charlotte.

Pinball Update: A Small Modification

This is the credit button on my pinball machine. I bent a switch on the credit unit to be permanently closed, and now the machine is set to "free play".

In my hand (on the left) you can see the metal strap that holds the credit button's spring in place.  On the right you can see the clear plastic strap I bought from Pinball Resource.

I also bought a light socket from Pinball Resource. I installed the plastic strap, attached the socket behind it, soldered two wires to the socket, and connected those wires to the light that already illuminates a 25 cent coin slot.

Now when I turn on my machine, the red button lights up.

 I think it looks pretty neat in the dark.

The best part of the project was when I showed Daphne and Charlotte. Char exclaimed, "Cool light, Dad!" and Daphne added, "Yeah, that is pretty neat."

Not bad for a $2 investment.

It's May!

Make sure you get outside and enjoy the "flowers"!