A Summoners War Clone - Calibria: Crystal Guardians

Over the past week I've been playing a new game, Calibria: Crystal Guardians, which is an almost exact copy of Summoners War in terms of game mechanics, activities, arena etc.

A few of the popular SW youtubers were picking up this title and introducing it to the community. I think the familiarity helps with the attraction of the game too. The problem with SW is that you are so far behind of people who have been playing since 2014-15 that no matter what you do, outside of spending tens of thousands, you are never going to be able to compete. The idea of being able to start on the 'same level playing field' is appealing for many folks. Of course there are going to be spenders or whales as they call it in the gaming world, who are going to be far ahead right from the get-go by spending a bunch. But that's a different world altogether.

On the gameplay, I'm having a blast starting new. It's that same feeling of excitement and discovery I had back when I start Summoners War in 2014. With everyone new to the game, there is no prescribed best way or best unit to follow. The fun of the unknown and knowledge that everyone else is probably in the same mode as you is truly appealing.

I had re-rolled a couple of times to get good starter units. Nat 5s are so much easier to get in this game. I can see myself spending more time on this game and potentially making it my main game. I'm already neglecting Summoners War, its no longer fun and more of a chore. This however is giving me the thrills of beating stages, overcoming obstacles, formulating strategies etc. I'm sure I'll be blogging more on this game in the future.

Plaster For Mummy's Tummy

"just now i tummy pain.. didi stare at me then ran out and come back with imaginary plaster for my tummy #blogworthy"

Such love and care. That's one of the big reasons everyone's smitten with 阳阳. He has everyone wrapped around his tiny fingers and he knows it too haha.

Simple Word Game

Super kudos to Meimei again for spending so much time and effort to make educational games for 萱萱. I know it takes a lot of dedication and research to come up with the tools. And you can tell 萱萱 is excited to play it too.

So Meimei made cards for each kitchen toy like a knife or bread or carrot. And then 萱萱 is to match each toy to the words. Of course 萱萱 wasn't going to be able to recognise the words immediately so Meimei spent time to pronounce each word and read out the letters too.

What a fun way to learn words. I'm so impressed by Meimei for her ingenuity and thoughtfulness in giving the kiddos opportunities to learn during play. *muach!

阳阳 @2years - Big Boy Now

Happy Birthday BoyBoy!!

Time flies too fast. Truly. How I wish 阳阳 was still that chubby little cutie that goes around electrifying everyone who can give him hugs. He's a big boy now with his own quirks and temper. Terrible two came early the last 2 months and we've been adjusting to a naughtier 阳阳. That said, he is still our precious little cuddle-bear and I still love carrying him to the window to look at the buses and cars.

He doesn't seem too impressed on the birthday cake. I suppose he still doesn't understand the significance of a birthday and the presents that come with it ;-)

There is the train set that Meimei bought for him. He loves all form of automotive from fire trucks to trains, buses to tractors etc. Anything with wheels fascinates him.

Even Siti spoils him rotten with not one ... but two big toys! A fire truck and an excavator.

Summoners War: 3 Mystical A Day

Recently I've taken to opening 3 mystical scrolls each day for the daily quest. I usually get them farming the Giants/Dragons/Necro. Since the last few mass summons basically bearing nothing of note, I've given up saving the scrolls for another mass summoning session.

Today I got lucky and popped a Nat 5 summon. Unfortunately I kinda make a boo-boo on the selection. I went for the Wind Desert Queen Hathor thinking she would come in useful in Arena. But the thing is ... I don't play Real-Time Arena. Plus she really comes into use when combo-ed with another Nat 5, the Wind Fairy King.

I should have gone for the Water Hell Lady Beth. I was thinking I would not replace my Water Homunculus as my EXP farmer. But there are more uses for her in other areas of the game. Sigh ... So now I have a unit that I'm probably not going to level up. I threw her into the EXP pond and would most likely leave her there till the day I ever feel like playing RTA. Behhh.

Chipping Bathroom Glass Door

It's been what ... 3 years since we moved into 405? Things will start to wear and tear I suppose. The carpentry is holding up pretty well. Some tiles have tiny holes and corners are getting chipped. Generally its the usual wear and tear you would expect.

The first major one to start falling apart is the glass door at the master bedroom. Out of the blue, we were unable to close it. And it seems a small chunk of it at the hinge chipped off at the corner.  

Thankfully it didn't 'self-destruct' and shatter into pieces. It was a good thing Meimei found a piece of it on the floor. Imagine how dangerous it would have been and potentially injure 萱萱 if she stepped on it.

We contacted Norman and he was going to send down the glass folks to have a look. In the meantime, kids are banned from the master bedroom till we fix this.

A Slide For Home

We got a slide as a gift from buying Friso milk powders. We've had it for some time now and have tried not to bring it out, fearing that the kiddos will go crazy over it and hurt themselves.

That said, if we don't bring it out soon, the kids will probably outgrow it soon. So we decided to brave our concerns and brought it out. 萱萱 and 阳阳 were over the top excited to see their very own slide in the living room.

We made them promise to share it and play nice. I wonder how long that would last before they get into interesting antics around the slide.

CNY 2020

CNY 2020 and not a lot more pictures compared to last year. It's all about getting ready in their cute CNY get-ups and making trips to grandparent places and visit distant relatives.

Thankfully it takes only a day to complete the visiting. I recall when I was young, we had to run around Singapore for a good two and half days before we were done. So much effort for people I totally don't recognise and would never care for.

Summoners War: CNY Summons

Another festive day, another summoning session. I didn't get any Nat5 today but got a Nat4 I really really wanted and also another that looks fun.

Triana, the wind harp magician, is one of the most OP Nat4 monster. It's death prevention is highly useful in all situations. I've had my fair share of hair pulls fighting teams with this lady. Now its my turn to frustrate others. Ha if you can't win them, join them!

I've never played with any of the neostone fighters but this light one seems interesting enough. Maybe I'll get to this once I've levelled Triana and runed her well.

A House Made Of Cut-board Boxes

Meimei had bought some storage boxes which came in large cardboard boxes. It's no surprise when the kiddos started playing with them. 阳阳 jumped at the chance to play house hehe.

I can imagine how fun this is. It's always simple things like that where kids have the most fun.

萱萱 joined in on the fun too when they started playing 'row your boat'.

Watching them play makes me want to be a kid again.

Waiting For Nyama @Changi Airport

Nyama has been away in Indonesia for a month or two. We are all excited that she is back for CNY. Based on what I gather from Meimei, she's not being appreciated there. Well everyone is glad she is back.

"Sometimes When You Are Angry"

"Sometimes when you angry with me I still love you". Such touching and mature words from a 4 year old.

We are at the zoo today and 萱萱 did some naughty things which I don't really recall now as I write this post. But whatever it was, Meimei was angry with her. And rather than being defensive or simply ignoring the glares, 萱萱 gave the sweetest and most innocent reply ... words that will melt your heart. 

阳阳 missed the enclosed observatory last time round because he was so tired after the water play and slept. So this time round, we went to view the exhibit first. Both kiddos were fascinated by the proximity of the birds, butterflies, bats etc.

This has to be one of my favourite exhibits. Sadly Meimei couldn't join us as this is too much for her mortal fear of birds. Maybe next time :-)

OO's First Swimming Lesson

It's been a long time coming. We didn't dare to let OO go to the public pool as she was always falling sick when she was younger. Things have improved recently and I suppose that gave everyone a bump in confidence to let her start her swimming classes.

Again all the credit to Meimei for setting it up with her schoolmate who is a swimming instructor.

As usual OO wasn't really keen on going for swimming lessons. She was more interested in playing in the pool. Learning is such a chore for a 4 year old faced with a water park with slides and fountains haha.

I'm crossing my fingers that we stay the course and she continues to swim. Hopefully no major sickness so she doesn't miss classes.

阳阳 @23 mths - More & More Playtime With Big Sis

阳阳 tries to follow 萱萱 everywhere and gets into whatever she is playing. When 萱萱 likes the company it's all peace and quiet. There is nice brother sister bonding over play. But as with all siblings there are quarrels and fights. Hopefully they grow past it soon and continue to bond.

A New Year: 2020

Hmm so what should I make as a resolution this year?

Simple.

Spend more time with children and Meimei. They grow up too fast. And I don't want Meimei to feel neglected because of the kids.

We only live one life time.