Tuesday, March 24, 2009

ALIVE!


Man oh man, one minute it's the start of spring break and the next it is all over except all the cleaning up. And boy there is some major cleaning up to do. With the number of children(I hold back from calling them animals) in our family it sure does not take long before the whole house looks like it took the brunt of hurricane Katrina!

Do not get me wrong, we had a great week. A busy, almost non stop week, but busy busy! We did do some family things together but mostly went off in pairs and trios doing different activities. Because some of you may catch on to locality or more I will keep the details to myself. However, I wanted to share a little moment.

One of the boys who is part of the younger group of siblings is really into board games. He is smart and can catch onto things quicker than most his age. But enough of my bragging on his intelligence. One quiet evening he asks "why don't we play games as a family?"

OUCH! That hurt really bad. I had no answer for him. We used to love playing games as a family. I know me and spouse always enjoyed good games with family and friends. There were stretches of time where we and the now older group of kids would stay up into the wee hours of the morning playing games.
Bonus points to anyone who can identify this game!

What has happened to us? Is it the television and the video games that has divided and stolen the few moments we have together as a family? My son has embarrassed me. I have fallen down as a parent where I could teach good values to ALL of my children in playing games as a family. I can teach them how to win without gloating, and how to lose without throwing the game pieces or flipping the game board. I can teach them how to work together as a team and the possibilities are endless.





I think the Family game night is about to be resurrected at our home!



So what games are good for the whole family? Or should I play different games with different age groups? What the crap was I thinking, it should be easier!



Okay, here is where I need all of your brilliant comments:


  1. What games do you remember playing with your family?


  2. What games do you play with your family now?


  3. What games should I stay away from?


  4. Am I crazy? Maybe you should keep this answer to yourself

23 comments:

Rhonda said...

I love playing games at home. Anything is great. My oldest, though, is a poor sport, so she takes the fun out of it! Sigh...

Ronda's Rants said...

I love to play texas hold 'em...some of the kids do..some don't... my new son-in-law does ..that's cool!
We as a family like to play Taboo...grand kids like to play Don't break the ice!
We are a bit competitive though!

Juliana said...

I just had found that review and it cracked me up. I actually REALLY enjoyed all the books and I have the movie. My friends joke that they have a hard time understanding that Edward Cullen is only a fictional character. SIGH...

Oh...and I LOVE games. Although with a 10 month old baby we haven't played any for a LONG time...

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Hi there! We love playing games. Monopoly is a good one. Clue. Yahtzee.

Our favorite right now is Apple to Apples.

It sounds like a super idea!

XOXO
Jen

EmmaP said...

there was a game called "probe" that we grew up playing. it's a woprd game. sort of similar to hangman, but with cards. it's fun because as long as the kids can spell, he/she can play. so - a few months ago, actually right before christmas i ran to the thrift store in search of a "trophy" to use as a white elephant gift. (found this awesome drill team trophy, btw) anyway - while I was there, I perused the game aisle. Lo and behold - there it was - PROBE!!! I was so excited! I bought it for a whole $1.25. We played it throughout christmas break and my kids love it.

Country Mouse, City Mouse said...

Go for the classics like Monopoly or the Game of Life. Have fun!

Michelle said...

We played Monopoly a lot as a kid. Our favorite family game right now is Parcheesie. Game to stay away from: Chutes and Ladders.....that game will make anyone hate playing games with their kids. :)

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

We have family game night every Friday night at our house:) Every Christmas Eve we break out the board games too and have a huge game party.

We play Monopoly, Risk, Apples to Apples, Taboo, Scrabble...you name it...we play it! We are huge puzzle freaks too!

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

Oh! I almost forgot! My son says that looks like the game called "Settlers of Catan"??? He says you build cities and things like that. He compared it to his XB360 game Civilization Revolution. (and thanks...now he wants to go buy it for game night! lol!!!)

petra michelle; Whose role is it anyway? said...

There's nothing like the family sitting together and playing board games. Clue, Monopoly... Just have fun with it! Your enthusiasm will be contagious!

Have fun!

Summer said...

I didn't pay games with my fam growing up- but I remember loving Chutes and ladders and CandyLand at friends' houses!

What a fun idea- I can't wait til our kids our old enough to play with like this. We're still in the "fly kids around on your feet" and "tickle mania" stages. :)

Ronnica said...

I don't really remember playing games as a whole family, but it's always been on of my favorite things to do. My favorites are Nerts (a complex card game), Phase 10, and Imaginiff. Any of those would be great with older kids.

Tulsi said...

I remember Yatzee growing up. Our kids ages have kept us from playing to many as a family. Number one being good and playing fair while number two throwing a fit. Number two growing up so the four of us can play while number three had a fit. Then kids growing up and out. We would get to gether for some games the last couple of years. Now they are all out and about again. We played "In a Pickle" last and it is harder than it seems. Kass looses interested in games easily as his mind works faster than the rest of us.

Tulsi said...

The only game I can say I seriously hate is Monopoly.

mama of 4 said...

our favorite game for kids of all ages is Sorry! even my 3 year old can play.

fiona said...

We like board game nights...a lot!
Whoonu is a big hit at the moment. It gives everyone a bit more insight into each others likes/dislikes.
We are all big Chess freaks too, I'm constantly getting my bahooky kicked by my 10 year old! :-)

Melissa B. said...

Monopoly then, Monopoly now. Although we have the Boob Tube on waaaaaayyyyy too much!

Mike said...

1. Monopoly, Clue, Careers.
2. None
3. Strip poker (naked parents scare kids)
4. Yes No

KatBouska said...

I play Pictionary with my brothers and sisters and LOVE it!! I think my kids are a little young to start on game night...Candyland is way too boring for me. Is that selfish??

Alicia The Snowflake said...

We play a lot of games at our house. Tri-ominos, Skipbo and Sorry are some of our favs. My guys like Stratego & Battleship. I love to play Scrabble. But my guys don't. So I usually play it with my husband's grandmother. Sad, I know!

Melissa B. said...

BTW, I'm celebrating One Year in the Blogosphere with a special 2-day Sx3 today and tomorrow. The winner gets a $50 Tar-Jay Gift Card. Please say you'll play!

Night Owl Mama said...

HERE we love playing Disney Scene iT. Fun for the whole family, all ages and u don't even need to know how to read. SO if your blog reading eyes need a break play Disney Scene it

Christine said...

We always play this fun game at my Grandmas called PIT. It is loud and fun! I like your game choices too! Friday nights here have always been family night. When the kids all come home on College breaks they all yell out "Friday night Fam Fam night!" I thin your idea of resurrecting family game night is a wonderful idea!

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