Last night I had my third date with the Cooper boys.
Their wonderful mom, Sarah, made one of my favorite dinners: black beans, rice, flour tortillas, bwoo, (according to Solomon) tortilla chips and home-made pico de gallo. If you’re a purest, the chips were purple, but I know better than to argue with a two-year old. Dinner conversation was filled with— you guessed it: knock, knock jokes. I was a bit rusty, however when you’re exchanging knock knock jokes with a 4-year-old they’re not quick to catch on to your ineptness. I’m still not sure on the delivery of the banana and orange you glad I didn’t say banana joke.
Two hours wasn’t near enough time for me. We were only able to get in two games of Polar Bear Fishing, two books and a never- ending game called Pig Tales.
I’m pretty sure Pig Tales was inspired by its cousin Candy Land. It was Mr. Cooper who informed me that the game was given to them by their grandmother. Nothing against grandma, she was probably told it’s a great game for a four-year-old. I told him he should give it back to their grandmother. At first I thought the game was long because I was relying on a four-year old for the rules. Until I realized, it was one of those games that tries to make the child feel like they are playing a real game. No strategy here, you are at the mercy of the roll of the die. Collect pigs. Lose pigs. Until someone has four of every colored pig. I propose a new rule to the game: it can only be played with grandma at grandmas .
Last week when I played with the boys they had a very cool game called The Magic of Labyrinth.
The Magic Labyrinth is not only a high-end, high–quality game that will stand up to years of repeated play, the game is set in a really engaging mystic theme and features one of the most unique memory sharpening play patterns that is challenging for adults as well as children.”
Designed by Dirk Baumann, the secret of The Magic Labyrinth is its hidden maze contained underneath the game play board. The object of the game is to try to collect objects and avoid the invisible walls that could force players to start all over again. The first player to collect the objects and win the Master Wizard’s favor is the victor!
I highly recommend The Magic of Labyrinth if your family is into strategy and memory games. The game uses magnets, which in itself is way cool.
Honestly I think playing any kind of game, even Pig Tales, with your children is important. I wish someone had told me it’s okay to play with your children. That it’s imperative to play with them. I did play with my children; but there were times I felt guilty. I was also playing the Living in Holland game.
The object of the game: Make your life look like the American dream. If it all looks good, then it must be good.
I was really good at it and it didn’t hurt that I had acting experience. But eventually, I lost.
*sigh* but I digress…
It’s been said that playing teaches children fair play, shows them consequences and usually sparks some good conversation.
You: This Pig Tales game takes a long time, don’t you think?
Unsuspecting Child:Yeah.
You: Let’s each take one more turn and the one with the most pigs wins, okay?
Unsuspecting Child: Okay.
You: Great, and then we’ll send it back to grandma.
Unsuspecting Child: Okay.
See, good conversation.
If a game takes more strategy than your child is ready for it’s okay to give yourself a handicap. Such as: you play with less/more cards/checkers; they get two turns for every one you take; you get the idea.
And all you highly competitive parents, don’t forget the how to win gracefully rule. You played well. Good game, etc.. (slapping each other on the butt isn’t necessary if you’re not playing football)
Presently, I am playing a game with my oldest called Wake Up!
The object of the game: Everyone gets 1440 minutes. You go around the board collecting chores/ jobs. Each one costs you so many minutes. The one who reaches the end of the game/day with the most chores/jobs and minutes left over wins! But, watch out for the Doze square. Every time you hit the doze, you lose minutes in your day. You want to collect as many Coffee Cards as you can because they allow you to win back minutes.
At this rate my boy has lost… let’s see… 4 doze squares…at 9 minutes each… I wonder how much he’d pay me for my coffee cards.
Remember, you’re never too old to play games with your kids.
