Distractions
There have been a few things over the past days that have helped distract us from the fact that someone hit the pause button on life. On the off chance that you haven't heard of them, I thought I would write about a few because everyone needs help getting through the days.
1. Settlers of Catan
This game is not new by any stretch of the imagination, but our youngest children have recently discovered it and it has been played at least once a day for the past several weeks. It is a really good game if you are not familiar with it. I like it so much that I will play even if I don't always win. My family will tell you that doesn't happen with a game very often.
For those not familiar with it, a board is laid out and each player tries to build settlements and roads using various raw materials that you gain based on the role of the dice. One thing that I like about it is that the board is different every time you play, so it is a new challenge each time. What works for one particular board will not work for another. It is also a nice mix of skill and chance, making it possible for anyone playing to win.
There are extension packs and add-on games, which we have, but we still like the original one the best. A game usually takes us under an hour to play, which is a nice length of time. K. and Y. have been playing the most and actually had a marathon the other day where they played three to four games of it in a row. If you don't already own it, I highly recommend it.
2. Dutch Blitz
Once again, this is an older game which has been discovered by our younger children. It is a card game which involves fast moving and thinking as you try to be the first to discard your cards onto the piles in front of you. One of the reasons the younger children like it, other than it is just fun, is that older siblings are usually quite happy to play with them. It is one of those games that once you understand how to play, any age can play together. Once again, if you do not own it, you should grab one.
3. The Big Family Cooking Showdown
A. recently found this and many of us have become a little consumed by it. It is an elimination cooking show out of Britain in the same vein as The Great British Baking Show (TGBBS). The difference is that this time it is family members (three) who form a team and they are cooking meals not just baking. Like TGBBS, the hosts are charming, the families are all agreeable, everyone is a good sport, and you are genuinely sad when one gets eliminated because you like them all.
If you need more kindness and gentleness in your life right now, this is a good viewing option. Everyone, even R., has been enjoying it.
1. Settlers of Catan
This game is not new by any stretch of the imagination, but our youngest children have recently discovered it and it has been played at least once a day for the past several weeks. It is a really good game if you are not familiar with it. I like it so much that I will play even if I don't always win. My family will tell you that doesn't happen with a game very often.
For those not familiar with it, a board is laid out and each player tries to build settlements and roads using various raw materials that you gain based on the role of the dice. One thing that I like about it is that the board is different every time you play, so it is a new challenge each time. What works for one particular board will not work for another. It is also a nice mix of skill and chance, making it possible for anyone playing to win.
There are extension packs and add-on games, which we have, but we still like the original one the best. A game usually takes us under an hour to play, which is a nice length of time. K. and Y. have been playing the most and actually had a marathon the other day where they played three to four games of it in a row. If you don't already own it, I highly recommend it.
2. Dutch Blitz
Once again, this is an older game which has been discovered by our younger children. It is a card game which involves fast moving and thinking as you try to be the first to discard your cards onto the piles in front of you. One of the reasons the younger children like it, other than it is just fun, is that older siblings are usually quite happy to play with them. It is one of those games that once you understand how to play, any age can play together. Once again, if you do not own it, you should grab one.
3. The Big Family Cooking Showdown
A. recently found this and many of us have become a little consumed by it. It is an elimination cooking show out of Britain in the same vein as The Great British Baking Show (TGBBS). The difference is that this time it is family members (three) who form a team and they are cooking meals not just baking. Like TGBBS, the hosts are charming, the families are all agreeable, everyone is a good sport, and you are genuinely sad when one gets eliminated because you like them all.
If you need more kindness and gentleness in your life right now, this is a good viewing option. Everyone, even R., has been enjoying it.
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