I was bored over Easter and after reading something about a kid making his own DS out of paper, I decided to try and make one of my own, surprisingly it actually started working...

Last week was a bit crazy. Kid has strep throat, so was out all week. There was a late night run to the hospital, where the pretty lady doctor told us that an icy pad to the forehead don't do much to bring down fevers. Instead, put them on the kid's neck and in his armpits. Never knew that!

Mini-Bash was in good spirits today and happy to be back at school. About a month earlier, we visited his class. The kids were making some sort of papercraft. They got out sheets of paper, crayons, scissors and glue. When it was time to use the scissors, the teacher asked the class to show her their scissor fingers. The entire class raised their scissor fingers in the air in front of the parents. When it was time to use their crayons, the teacher asked the class to show their crayon finger. The entire class raised their crayon finger in front of the parents. When it was time to use the glue, the teacher asked the class to show their glue finger. The entire class raised their glue finger in front of the parents.

Those curious to see the glue finger, hit the jump.

What you missed last night
Mark Wahlberg as Max Payne
Soul Calibur IV box art
Zerg fact sheet
First look at StarCraft II Zerg

So in other words, this deal may be decent for our UK friends as well (and even you Ash, to pick up while you're in the States). It's odd not to hear from Ash in his night notes, isn't it? Not that Luke "kangaroo boxer" Plunkett isn't great, but I for one am eagerly awaiting the tales of Mini-Bash experiencing Tex Mex cuisine, American Santa and buxom Texas ladies.

Amazon [via cheapassgamer]

Well, we all are, I'm sure. We got eight (yes, EIGHT) emails from Crecente today. Keep in mind, that he has flown half-way around the world to relax and unwind, and the dude is messaging us about this and that. I'm sure he's doing this during bathroom breaks or something — moments when he can slip away from the fam.

Over the weekend, I took my kid shopping for new training wheels. The ones he had were falling apart. So! We took him to the bicycle shop, got him black and red training wheels to go with his black and red bicycle. When Mini-Bash saw the new training wheels, his face lit up and he exclaimed, "Those training wheels are sexy!"

Eh?

The kid repeated it, loud as ever. My wife nearly fell over laughing. Sexy? Why are they sexy? Where did you learn that word? Did you learn that at school? Did you hear it on TV? How are they sexy? We asked him again. "What do you think of those training wheels?"

"They're cool."

Cool? Thing is, he was right: Those training wheels are sexy.

What you missed last night
Those who entered the contest READ THIS
Bethesda make Portal level
New PSP color
New PS2
Harmonix's iPod game
Power struggle at Sony Computer Entertainment?

The bag's other side.

Seconds after this, my kid ate that Pikachu cookie, which he said was "good."

(Yes, yes, he can change Pokémons, blah, blah, blah)

I just showed the above images to Mini-Bash, who asked, "Is that Satoshi?" (In Japan, "Ash" is called "Satoshil.")
"No, that is the Pokémon Trainer," I told him.
"Is that Satoshi?" He asked again.
"No. I don't think so."
"What's his name?"
"Pokémon Trainer."
"Why is Mario fighting Pokémon? Why, Daddy?"

Like, Mini-Bash was seriously disturbed by this. He doesn't know the half of it!

DOJO Update [Smash Bros, Thanks to all who sent this in!]

More pics after the jump.

Make sure you read the post title carefully. This isn't Pokémon origami, it's Pokémon origami paper! The in-laws swung by last night and gave this to Mini-Bash, who's currently on a paper folding kick. We usually just make paper airplanes and then throw them around the house. Thing is, regular paper works way better for paper airplanes. Doesn't look as neat, though. Brian Ashcraft

Bought this for Mini-Bash. It's a collaboration between The Pokémon Company and UNI-QLO, Japan's answer to The Gap. Until July 15th, the retailer is selling these shirts to help promote the upcoming Pokémon anime. What I like best? The label. Brian Ashcraft

To: Crecente
From: Bash
Subject: Hero

So, Mini Bash of late has REALLY been into Ultraman. He only rents Ultraman videos, only plays with Ultraman toys and talks about Ultraman. Sure, I prefer Kamen Rider — he rides a motorcycle and wears a scarf. How cool is that? But I've been happily watching Ultraman — my son's interest and adoration for Ultraman is infectious, and the monsters in Ultraman are better, really. During the past weekend, we took him to the official Tsuburaya Productions store. Tsuburaya Productions created Ultraman, of course.

At the store, everyday, a dude in an Ultraman costume comes out and meets with the kids. Mini Bash's favorite is Ultraman Mebius. There are a gazillion different types of Ultraman Mebius, which are almost all the same. They sure look the same! In short, it prepares them for a gazillion different Final Fantasy games when they get older. So, we lined up and waited. Mini Bash was sick of waiting in line, and then BAM Ultraman Mebius made his appearance.

Sure, it was just some dude in a suit, but it's always some dude in a suit. And what a suit! These weren't cruddy tights, but an actual Mebius costume. With glowing eyes and a glowing Color Timer! For all intents and purposes, it WAS Ultraman Mebius. No wonder Mini Bash froze. Backed up three steps and grabbed my jeans.

When it was his turn, he walked up to Ultraman Mebius, shook his hand and said something. They then poised for pictures together. We asked Mini Bash what he said to Ultraman, and he answered "hello". What did Ultraman say in reply? "Nothing," Mini Bash said. Why? "He was too nervous," the 3 year-old replied.

What you missed during the weekend:

• GTA content is expensive!
• 
  
• The Wii fleet
• 
  
• Stone wallin'!

Over the weekend, the fam and I went shopping. It was at one of those huge, American-style shopping malls that are geared towards families with kids. Since these shopping centers are quite large and since small children get tired easily, stroller-type shopping cards are provided. Usually, they look like cars, but this mall had Pokémon ones — like with Pikachu and everything. There were also Hamtaro, Doraemon, Ultraman, Anpanman, Thomas the Train and Mickey Mouse. All bases, covered! Brian Ashcraft

This morning, Mini Bash ingested the above "pizza bread." Pokémon bread isn't so unusual here in Japan, but this was the first time that I'd seen Pokémon pizza bread. And it didn't disappoint — it had the standard Japanese pizza topping: corn. What is it with pizzas here and corn? And mayo? Brian Ashcraft

Like Bon Jovi and the Carpenters, handkerchiefs are still big in Japan. In fact, when Mini-Bashcraft goes to school, he has to have a handkerchief in his pocket. Yes, that's what the school said! Guess they don't want him wiping snot on his sleeve or other children. So, to spice up boring handkerchiefs, patches are usually sewn or ironed on. And in this case, Mario.

If you are curious what a good, safe present is in Japan, well, handkerchiefs! Brian Ashcraft

Back in February, my kid got his first Club Nintendo card. And earlier today, he got his first Club Nintendo schwag: A Mario hat-shaped DS case. He picked it out, and it fits my his cracked DS Lite perfectly! I'm still baffled why Nintendo of America doesn't have a Club Nintendo... It's neat and a nice thank you. Brian Ashcraft