Games Anyone?

Our family is a BIG game family. We LOVE playing them and we have our favorites. Here is our top 5 games you will see us playing whenever we have a chance.

First on the list is Settlers of Catan. We were introduced to this game years ago by our good friends Julie and Richard. We would go over to their house almost every night and play. Yes good times. The game starts with players placing settlements on different hexes (wood, wool, wheat, oar and brick). You gain points as you expand your settlements and turn them into cities. If you want to add more to then game you can get the Cities and Knights and Seafarers expansions.

Second on the list is Shadows over Camelot. Our great friends, Trevor and Chelsi introduced this game to us. It is a one sided game meaning you are not meant to win. But we have beat it once or twice. What is fun is trying to strategies on the best ways to play the game. The more people you have the better because then you can incorporate a trader which adds a whole new element.

Third on the list is Ticket to Ride. We first learned about this game from Blake's brother, Brett. The idea is to build a track from one city to another. You are given 3 destination cards and you must choose at least two. Then you proceed to lay track. But be sure to complete what you say you will do or you will be docked points.

Fourth is Munchkin, another game introduced to us by Trevor and Chelsi. It is meant to be a funny game so don't take it too serious. First you have to open the door (which you do by turning over a card). This card can be anything from a monster (that you have to battle), curse/trap, or helpers. The person then has to accomplish what is on the card they turn over. But, and here is where it gets fun, anyone else can add things to those cards. Like if you turn over a monster card someone can throw a monster enhancer card which can add more strength to that monster. Or they can curse you during the game.

Fifth is Scotland Yard. This was a game my hubby got on year. It is a map of Scotland Yard. There is Mr. X (bad guy) and everyone else is a detective. Mr. X has to try and elude the detectives and make his escape. He is invisible except for set times during the game when he must reveal his current position. This game too is one sided but a clever Mr. X has been known to win.
You can even wear this nifty visor so nobody sees your wondering eyes as you are looking for the quickest escape.

So what games do you enjoy playing?

We Surround Them

I have decided to participate in this experiment that Glenn Beck has put together. I do believe that our voice is louder and that we are many. I don't like the direction this country is heading in. But rather than sit back and go along for the ride I've decided to stand up.

So for family night I'm going to share these nine principles with my boys. I'm going to talk about each one and get there feelings on them. Then I'm going to take each of our pictures and send it in to Glenn Beck.

The Nine Principles:

1. America is good.
2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me

If you agree with just 7 of these principles then join me. Go here for instructions.

Adventures in Grocery Shopping

I had to do some grocery shopping but before getting started I decided to take G to the bathroom. I lift him out of the cart and then turn to get my purse. I then look around and couldn't see G anywhere. I ask, "G where are you?" and I hear from the men's bathroom, "In here go potty." I tell him to come out so we can go into the girls bathroom. He says he can't because he is stuck. I tell him to just unlock the door and come out. "Door stuck! Need Help!" Then I hear him banging on the door yelling, "Need help! Need help!" I dart into the men's bathroom with the idea that I'm just going to grab him and run out. Not so simple.

Me: "G just unlock the door and come out. Hurry!"
G: "Can't lock stuck"
Me: "Then crawl under the door! Let's go!"
G: "No! Floor uckie."

Why is it that kids pick the most inopportune time to start listening to you?? So what do I do?? Well there is only one thing to do really. He was stuck in the bathroom and unwilling to crawl under (and trust me you can't make my kids do things they don't want) so I get down on the nasty men's bathroom floor and proceed to go under the door. Not an easy task because it seems that in the years they have made the door closer to the floor (shh, that is the lie I'm telling myself!).

Anyway, I look to my left and I see legs. Yes, there is a man in the next stall going to the bathroom. I just keep telling myself to not look up and crawl faster this will all be over soon. Funny thing the man in the next stall decides to have a conversation with me! I hear him say, "Your little boy is stuck." I mumble something like, "Yeah looks that way". He then says, "I would have helped him but I'm a little busy." Oh you have to be kidding me!! Trust me, I know you are busy and I'm seeing more than I would like!

By the time I'm clear of the door G has managed to pull down his pants and go potty. Good. Now that's done! I get his pants up fast and make a mad dash for the door. I just want to get out quickly and without anyone noticing. Too bad G didn't have the same plan. As I'm running past the sink he starts yelling, "Need wash hands!" Over and over again. So much for just sneaking out unnoticed. All of Wal-mart saw me running out of the men's bathroom and into the women's so we can BOTH wash our hands.

As I'm finishing up my grocery shopping I hear this chuckle behind me. I turn to look and the guy says, "Your the mom whose little boy was stuck in the bathroom." Aha, nice to put a face to those legs.