Friday, August 07, 2009

My purse will be heavier now...

Remember a couple of weeks ago when I mentioned that I bought a new game to take with us to the cabin? Well, Scrabble Slam! was a hit with my kids. In fact, the girls and I have played it almost every day this week.

I also found LCR, the other game I was looking for, at a shop in Durango. We like it a lot, but it drags on forEVER so it's a little harder to entice my kids to play. I think the secret is to play with fewer chips!

And because I'm nuts about games, I also picked up the travel version of Farkle last week too. It's way more fun than the online version (scoring is also a bit different) and Sarah is the reigning champ at our house.

What I like about all three of these games is that they're small enough to keep in my purse.

Last night, John called as he was leaving work and asked if we were up for dinner at our favorite mexican restaurant. Well alright, honey, twist my arm. All three games were sitting on my kitchen counter because we've been playing them all week, so on a whim I chunked 'em in my purse as we were leaving. While we were waiting for our food to arrive, I whipped out Scrabble Slam! and we played two quick games.

I love that idea of taking a game to a restaurant. My friend, Chele, does this with her family and is the one who gave me this brilliant idea!  I remember her telling me once that they grab a stack of cards from Apples to Apples to take and play while they're waiting.

My kids had a blast once they got over their initial (pre-teen) embarrasment, and it definitely made the wait time pass more quickly.

I don't know about you, but I look around restaurants sometimes and see couples and families sitting in stoned silence. Or simultaneously texting, surfing the net, or playing games on their phones. I don't want my family to be like that!!! I decided last night that these three games are staying in my purse for times like these. 

This is the next game on my list to buy. I doubt it will fit in my purse though. *wink*

Note: I found Scrabble Slam! at Walmart for $5.24. I bought LCR for $7 at a specialty kids store, but rumor has it that Bed, Bath, & Beyond sells it too. Pocket Farkel was $6 and I bought it at an independent bookstore. For less than $20 (the price of most games) we now have three fun games. I think that's a bargain.

16 comments:

Rachel said...

Good for you! Sounds like there is lots of family fun to be had with your collection of games. We like Sequence a lot and are currently addicted to Ticket to Ride. Our kids are a bit young for games, but our 6 y.o. can manage Ticket to Ride, though unfortunately it is on the pricier side.

Becky said...

Great idea Mer! Thanks for sharing w/us. I love games! Thanks to you I now have to play the online version of SET every single day!

Michelle C said...

Oh - we are BIG sequence fans at this house. Love to play games!!

The other night I saw the WORST thing. We went to eat at a restaurant and the family in the booth behind us had their portable DVD player sitting on the table for the kids to watch while they ate! I was horrified.

Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt said...

First of all, I want MY hubby to call and ask if we want to meet him for Mexican!

Laughed out loud at the pre-teen embarrassment comment. I remember THAT. LOL.

(I don't want to be that kind of family, either.)

Becca~CapturingSimpleJoys said...

I never thought to bring a game to a resurant~brilliant!

adrienne said...

thanks for the great idea!! slam is now in my amazon cart!

Amber said...

FUN!!

I wanna play!!!

That is so smart. At restaurants, my kids are usually busy coloring on the goofy restaurant placemats and then making paper airplanes out of them. And then when they fly them across the restaurant...that's when I want to die of full-blown parental embarrassment.

GREAT IDEA.

Getting a game and sticking it in my purse.

Unknown said...

I love that idea...I'm throwing a game in my purse tonight! And a deck of cards...can't tell you how many times this summer I wish I had a deck of cards with me...why didn't I think of throwing a deck in my purse?!

elaine@bloginmyeye said...

We love games! My MIL has Sequence. It's a great one. Have you tried Blokus or Quiddler?

Melissa Stover said...

we played apples to apples tonight at mazzios while waiting on our pizza. i used to do this all the time with friends but never thought to take it along with the kids. i also picked up scrabble slam tonight at walmart. can't wait to try it.

Anonymous said...

I love this idea and thanks for the reminder! I used to do this with Pass the Pigs...we love that game! Have you all ever played?

-Lynn in TX

Kecia said...

When we were with Angie and Charlie in Mozambique they taught us "The Name Game," which they play at restaurants or anywere else to pass the time. And there's nothing to pack in your purse!
Hey "Lynn in TX"--I love Pass the Pigs!!

Lauren said...

Meredith, that is such a great idea!!! :)

Patrick said...

I love that you carry games in your purse! I want to go out to eat with your family!

Tami said...

What a great idea! I will have to remember that the next time we go out to eat.

Leah Belle said...

we have sequence...we love it. think i'll head to walmart soon for those other 3!