Games

Lilah got her first board game about 4 1/2 years ago. It was none other than Candy Land. The object of the game is to be the first player to advance throughout the winding, colorful board to meet up with King Candy at the Candy Castle. Lilah failed to grasp this concept, since some of the cards have characters on them, Queen Frostine and Princess Lolly proved to be Lilah's favorites. She'd settle for Gramma Nut or Jolly from the Gumdrop Mountains. Even Mr. Mint and Plumpy, both of which will set you back to almost the beginning of the game, were better than just getting a plain old colored card. Playing the game could be agonizing. Do I try to teach the girl a lesson in life- you don't always get what you want just because you want it- or, do I keep the peace and stack the deck just right so she gets her special cards? I did a little of both, depending on her mood and mine.

We have since acquired a number of games. I always envisioned all of us sitting around the table, peacefully playing games as a family. I am happy to say we've reached that point in our lives. It was a rocky road for a while, though. All 3 children really like to win, and in most games there is just one winner, if in fact everyone has the patience and stamina to make it through a whole game, and mom or dad doesn't throw the game out the window. We have come a long way. We can easily finish a game of Sorry, that is, if we have an hour to spare.

We have also played some card games with the kids. Our first was Crazy Eights, which we started playing over a year ago. 4 year old hands are not meant for holding 5 cards, but that's neither here nor there. Picture all 5 of us sitting around the table. Lilah is 5 1/2 years old, Emma and Gavin are 4. Cards are flying out of the hands of distractable children, while we're trying to keep focused on finishing the game before bedtime . It's Gavin's turn and he's contemplating about which card to lay down. I finally say, "Gavin, just lay your biggest card." He looks at me, then back at the cards in his hand, then back at me with a confused look on his face and says, "But mommy, they're all the same size!"

Our newest card game is the game of war. The kids are now even able to play a game against each other! This is something.