(Vol. XI for Me)
I have been up since 2:00—yes, 2:00, thanks to the baby’s fussin’ because he can’t seem to sleep without me in his mouth—and since I’m up and fully caffeinated, (because what else do you do when you get up at 2:00?), I figured I may as well do some online Christmas shopping.
I am thinking we already have enough stuff.
I am thinking my kids would not agree.
And in any case, it simply would not be Christmas without a brand new board game.
(Or would it?)
I am leaning in the direction of this game.
And this game.
Or maybe this game.
And also this game.
Any opinions?
All that said, I wouldn’t mind being done with the shopping so that I could hunker down and really enjoy my Advent. This is a standard complaint, no? And complaining gets old so I’ll just stop.
Except…last night my family gathered around the Advent wreath for prayers and our current read-aloud. I ran upstairs to get something and when I got back, I saw that they had lit the wrong purple candle.
I gasped and quickly blew it out.
And then fret internally throughout the reading about the blackened wick on the Week-4 candle.
Tell me the truth. Would it have bugged you? And if it did bug you, would you let on?
Death to self can be hard—so hard.
Especially when Self feels that Self is right.
We got the H1N1 vaccine this week—every last one of us except for Anthony though the doctor suggested that we get him done too. I would just as soon let sleeping viruses lie, but unfortunately they don’t.
(Just lie there, that is.)
While at the clinic, the kids and I giggled our way through a book called “Germs! Germs! Germs!” That is to say, we giggled while my husband rolled his eyes. (It was the rhyme scheme, I think, that did him in.)
We’re GERMS and we live everywhere!”
Ironic reading for a waiting room.
It remains cold—very cold—up here in Minnesota. (Is zero degrees cold enough for you? I thought so.)
It is the intent of our state to freeze those germs out.
Visit Jen here to see all of the Quick Takes from today.
And have a blessed weekend!
This occasional lurker is handing out the unsolicited endorsement for Ticket to Ride and Apples to Apples. Ticket to Ride is the one game that entertains my entire family, Apples to Apples is one of the few I can stand to play with the littles ad nauseum. But for sure Ticket to Ride, yes! yes!
Apples to Apples is a huge hit here. Also Operation, which brings back my childhood memories. Although this time around my dh insisted on the Simpson version.
It depends on who is going to play. We have the Apples to Apples and the Operation games. I haven't heard of the first two games. Our experience with the Operation is that my dds don't like the buzzing sound and would rather play it sans batteries. And our experience with Apples to Apples has been fun, but you have to be careful when having guests over (dd #2, who is 13, had a friend flavor one of the answers politically and started a small heated discussion over it)
Our Advent candles are put on the wreath one week at time since we still have 2 under 4 yrs old and get way too curious when they are not in use.
Good luck and Happy Advent!
We have Apples to Apples Junior and my kids love it. They can play it with us or alone. Sometimes they don't get some of the references, but that's never been a big problem.
Word verification: flans…yes, please!
And no, the Advent wreath thing wouldn't have bothered me. Set it free!
Find a game called Capture the Gag!! ALL ages can play together and have equal fun–we even got it out with a more "straight-laced" family and both families played together and laughed a lot. The company is called Rubbing Hands or soapy hands or Clapping hands…something like that. 😀
Margaret…all our Advent candles have blackened wicks…cause they are leftover from last year. I just couldn't throw them away last year and stuck them in a kitchen drawer. I pulled them out this year and we're using them again. I think a blackened wick may have bothered me years ago…now to see my college boys drive up and share a dinner with us and those leftover candles is way more important than the looks of the candle. Yes, set the candle free! 🙂 Hugs and love to you!!
I really like Apples to Apples, but my kids are too young for it. Yours are a bit older, though … Those other games look really fun, too. I wouldn't pick Operation, but that's only because I wasn't very good at it when I was younger (ha!)
I hope your kids are doing well with the shot. We only got the seasonal flu shot that day, and now they all have colds. Hmmm … I do hope this below-freezing weather kills all those germs. The cold would be so worth it then.
And I completely understand your reaction to the Advent wreath. The other night, everyone started saying the prayers before the candles were lit. Another night, they forgot and started with our traditional meal prayer first. I tend to fret about stuff like that, too, but I wish I didn't … Ugh! The main thing is that we're doing it, faithfully and consistently. It doesn't have to be perfect, right?!
Stay warm!! And God bless.
I'm not going to make your game decision easier! My kids' latest FAVORITE is Settlers of Catan. My youngest likes Operation and we've played Apples to Apples and do like it.
The Advent candles wouldn't have bothered me because … if Zeke hadn't made candles this year, we've used the same candles for years! We don't let them burn during our meal, so they last for years when only lit for Advent prayers. I think we'll burn the current candles all the way down!
I could have joined you in online shopping with my fuss-button, but I've done quite enough onlining already. And fortunately, he fell asleep pretty quickly after we stretched out on the sofa.
My kids love apples to apples…
The wick would have bothered me-and I would have probably said so…I'm like that sometimes.
It's cold here in WI-although, we have a heat wave-it is 7!
Apples to apples is one of our favorites! I played with my 4 year old nephew as my partner and ended up winning with his random choices. It was awesome! 🙂
I love the heat vent picture. I remember doing that.
Blessings!
Hannah
Operation is our kids choice, but they 8 and under. Haven't tried the others. Advent candles: we rotate which purple candle we light so they burn more evenly. One year we lit the candles in order and by week 3 the one purple candle was almost gone. Our church also rotates so I figure it must be ok.
We love Apples to Apples. You might want to look at the Junior or I think it's called the Junior plus version or pluck out words you don't know/like from the regular. I'm thinking old tv/political people not bad words. If you do a google search for apples to apples word lists you should be able to find the list of words for each edition.
Alpha Animals had a limited shelf life in our house, as did Apples to Apples (anyone else find inappropriate subject matter in that one?). My kids like the Scene It games — especially Disney, and Trivial Pursuit Junior. And then there's Uno, which never gets old.
Hubby bought Apples to Apples for the family for Christmas…shh, don't tell the kiddos!
Advent candle, yes, it would bother me, but I'd think of it as something to offer up for the next 2 weeks! One year a couple years ago, I was too late in buying candles and couldn't find any and ended up using the last year's candles….hated it that year, but I do save our candles, because you know, if the lights go out….
Barbara (and Margaret),
You have to be careful which version of Apples to Apples you use. The Party Box says that the content is for mid-teen and older. The Junior version is the one we have and the only word my kids don't consider appropriate is "dumb" even though I tried to tell them that it means "mute". They still chose to remove it. The Junior is rated for 9 and up but my 5 year old plays it fine. There is a Kids version that is rated 7 and up. It really is a lot of fun.
Hi Margaret:
I purchaed Apples and Operation for our family this Christmas. Should be fun. My favorite quick take was #4. Amen!! Have a wonderful weekend. Kelly/TX
We play "Apples to Apples" A LOT! I do mean A LOT! We take it with us on vacation, our teens have almost a weekly game at our home with friends, extended family play when we gather for holidays. We are on our fourth set of "Apples to APples..the first three sets having made their way to college with our oldest three children. ALl that being said, I believe all of your children expect for your 7th grader might be a bit to young for the full adult version. YOu might want to try:
http://www.amazon.com/Apples-Junior-Game-Crazy-Comparisons/dp/B00112CHD4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1260562932&sr=1-1
"Ticket to Ride" and "Ten Days Across Africa" are also huge hits at our house.
I was taught by a very proper type woman of an older generation that you NEVER put candles with white wicks on the table. Even if you don't plan to use them, all candles on the table should be lit for a few seconds then blown out so they have blackened wicks.
That said we had a "talk" about Chirstian Charity when the 14 year old was wicked mad at the 7 year old for lighting the WRONG CANDLES!!!
I have pictures of Bridget for you on my blog in some cute tees!
My husband and I love Apples to Apples junior edition…
He doesn't actually play by rules—"gravy" won as "interesting" and "unicorns" are "handy" !!
We took a few cards out of the deck, too, to keep the game from getting political
Enjoy! Donna
PS I was able to tolerate Operation for about a week,,,then I think the batteries were *lost*
Donna
Those candles. Oh how I loathe those candles! Especially how the first one burns down to a little nubbin before the last one is even lit, and we light that one, but blow it out real quick so it'll last till the very end. I hate that so much that I bought THREE sets of candles this year. Each Sunday, I replace the burnt down ones from the last week. It may not be PROPER, but I figure it's better than being cranky about it all season. 🙂
Gotta vote for Apple to Apples Junior. We have the reg. version as well but it is filled with people they've never heard of, I think we'll donate it. You would never outgrow the junior edition anyway. My kids play it anytime they have friends over and all ages can play together (pre-readers just need a partner. Have fun!
HA! Just clicked on all those links…thanks for the ideas. We are a major train family (studying railroad history this year). I never heard of Ticket to Ride. I think it'll make a great family gift! thanks again
Apples to Apples is a favorite here. I have read Jotham's Journey to my bunch twice. As far as the Advent wreath is concerned, I purposely lit the wrong candle last Sunday and loved it. My family thought I was strange.
Apples to Apples is a favorite here. I have read Jotham's Journey to my bunch twice. As far as the Advent wreath is concerned, I purposely lit the wrong candle last Sunday and loved it. My family thought I was strange.
Apples to Apples! I'm 19 and my friends and I can play it for hours- fun game for everybody!
Two comments: Try playing the children's apples to apples-then all ages can participate fully. My kids range from 4-25. It is still fun for the adults too.
Let the candle lighting thing go. There are so many things more important. We've had a year FULL of medical issues and my father-in-law was just diagnosed with ALS.
Love your blog-you are always so honest.
Apples to Apples and ticket to Ride both very good games. Apples to Apples all the kids could do with a little help — We've had game night with adults and they love it. It moves quickly and can be lots of fun. Mostly the older kids and adults would really enjoy Ticket to Ride. Took me a little bit to get organized (like playing it two times) The other two are very much for the littles. Another great family game is Sequence go for the Jumbo size It's much easier to work with and six can play so easily. Again a strategy game. Not so much for the littles, but it depends on your children's interst in games. I have a five year old nephew who is great with it.
We are big fans of Apples to Apples. As long as you are old enough to throw a card down, you can play . . . which can make for some really interesting choices.
I concur with the votes for Apples to Apples Junior! We got it last year when our oldest kids were 7 and almost 4, and they both love it. Fun for grownups, too.
So cute!! Hey neighbor!! So happy to 'meet' you!! I can tell I like you already!
i would DEFINITELY go for apples to apples… we have it and love it and its good for any age!!
Blessings-
Amanda
I went to late Sunday Mass and the altar boy lit the wrong purple candle—but I have to say I was holding my breath because I thought for sure he was planning to light all 4! But he didn't, and so even though that 2nd purple candle was quite obviously the 4th week's candle, I tried not to pay attention, just glad there were only 3 lit, ha ha!
I don't know if you're still looking for game ideas, but a few games that are popular with all of my children (ages 5-13) are blokus, Uno (especially the electronic versions), Mexican Train dominoes and mancala. http://www.mindwareonline has a 4-player mancala game that I would love to have, but it's quite expensive. If your husband is handy, he could probably make one. It is hard to find a game that appeals to both a 5 y.o. and a 13 y.o.