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Since this blog is essentially my family diary, I'll take license to continue some posts from Anthony's birthday party a couple of weeks ago. After having cake, it was time for presents...

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 45 mm — ¹/250 sec, f/5, ISO 6400 — full exif
Present from Fumie's Folks
that Anthony had picked out some time earlier

Anthony doesn't get to watch much TV, but when he does, it's often super-hero shows. When I was a kid there was batman and superman, and things were simple. In Japan these days there are all kinds of super heroes, all looking essentially identical to me, but the details are important stuff in the life of a first-grade boy.

His toy this time was something called a Double Driver, a belt with modules that allows the wearer to transform into all kinds of super-power manifestations.

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 32 mm — ¹/250 sec, f/5, ISO 6400 — full exif
Explaining a Module

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 26 mm — ¹/80 sec, f/5, ISO 6400 — full exif
Deciphering Instructions

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 38 mm — ¹/60 sec, f/5, ISO 6400 — full exif
More Instructions

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/5, ISO 6400 — full exif
Strapped On and Ready to Go

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 38 mm — ¹/250 sec, f/5, ISO 5600 — full exif
Being Transformed!
( imagine all kinds of armor and helmet stuff magically appearing )

The lighter-sized modules stick into the two edges of the “W”-shaped belt, then the whole thing adjusts to “locking position”, accompanied by cool lights and cool sounds simulating a complex full-body suit unfolding out of seemingly nowhere. I guess

Fumie recognized the general idea as being the same as a toy Anthony had enlisted my help in making some months ago, and pulled it out...

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — ¹/200 sec, f/5, ISO 6400 — full exif
Home-Made Version

Then it was time for a present from my folks....

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 29 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/3.2, ISO 2500 — full exif
The Unripping

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 38 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/3.2, ISO 1800 — full exif
Actually Noticing the Card
a really cool 3-D thing still displayed on the kitchen counter

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 45 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/3.2, ISO 3200 — full exif
Wrangling the Balloons

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 32 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/3.2, ISO 3200 — full exif
Present from Mommy and Daddy

We generally let him pick one toy for his birthday present. Turning four he chose a large trash truck, at five a train set, and last year a helicopter. This year he gave a long list of things he wanted, and I worked with him to narrow them down. In the end, he got the main item he'd decided on, but apparently didn't remember what it was...

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 58 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/3.2, ISO 5600 — full exif
Total Astonishment

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 58 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/3.2, ISO 1250 — full exif
Disappointment?

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 48 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/3.2, ISO 2000 — full exif
Better Than Expected!
a LEGO™ Star Wars™ Republic Attack Shuttle™

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/3.2, ISO 2800 — full exif
Check Out These Features!

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 66 mm — ¹/50 sec, f/9, ISO 6400 — full exif
Some Assembly Required

This was all a couple of weeks ago, and he's written a thank-you letter to Grandma and Grandpa that I need to get around to mailing (and not forget like last year!!). A box of presents from his Aunt Natalie and Uncle Alan is to be the subject of a later post...