Game Night - Settlers of Catan

When I was a kid, my parents played cards with their friends on a pretty regular basis.  When I think about it, I can still hear the laughter in the air and see the baskets of pretzels on the tables.  To be honest though, it was something I never really understood - how playing cards with friends on a Friday or Saturday night could really be all that great.  But, it's funny how when you have children, those things start to make more sense.  Because when you have children, your definition of fun and weekend plans change.  You happily exchange your adult-time-out for family-time-in.  Enter weekly Game Night.  While we only started playing games with our friends last year, it certainly feels like it has been a joyous part of our lives so much longer.  And we sure do miss it when our lives get busy and we aren't able to see each other for a while.

A big part of Game Night is what the kids do.  The girls, who were minus one this night, always love playing with toys and dolls.  Before dinner+games got under way, I got some American Girl education!  We did some searching on the new doll of the year - from ST LOUIS - who is an explorer - name Lea CLARK (hello, Lewis & Clark), and has a CAMERA.  She is calling my name!

I learned about the difference between the dolls and their specialties (like their fancy earrings) and even got to peruse a catalog.  And I also got to watch a momma and her daughter have a great connection and some sweet moments - which always warms my heart.

And pre-dinner conversation is the best: chatting and laughing and quick walk-by's of the kids.  And great memories at the kitchen table.

So, after dinner (the best Chinese in town), we played Settlers of Catan.  It is a resource-trading, road-building, luck-of-the-dice, kind of game.  My family got introduced to the game a few years ago thanks to my husband's boss.  We fell in love with it and whenever I find out people play it, it is a common bond right away!

 There are so many things about us playing this game that are important to me.  The set up (App, or no App?), who will be the kind trader, and who will be the resource holder.  There's snack sharing and kids in the kitchen and how people organize their pieces (something silly I adore) - it's all a part of the story.

And just as important is what the boys do.  Tonight, it was staging a war zone with super heroes.  This was a battle to the end!  

And then came the face swap app.  OH.  MY.  GOODNESS.  Talk about some SERIOUS laughter.  Take a look for yourself - and imagine what that screen would look like if those faces were reversed.  HILARIOUS!

When my friend saw the pictures, she said the thing she loved the most was that her husband was genuinely laughing, something I completely appreciate as a mom. What I love is that SHE was genuinely laughing.  Life gets pretty serious, and it's really nice to be able to be together when those times come.

Next up - DANCE PARTY!  It is often that there is a movie playing in the background.  And, it is also often that some sort of Disney movie is on the screen.  Along with that, there might also be singing from the moms - and maybe a note or two from the dads.  These two didn't need any help with the words though - they sure did have it all down!

As the night wore on, our game began to come to a close.  There was a little bit more of face swapping, and the kids started to wind down and even cuddle up on the couch.

It all came down to some final rolls, hail Mary buildings, silliness, and the last point card played.  But when your spouse is the winner, a pat on the back - or in this case a back scratch - is definitely the way to say great job!

A final good bye from the little one - who is still on the fence about if she can like more than one friend.  And if you get to spend game night with us, it is clear to us all that "Yily" is HER friend (although all the rest of the family sure are adored).

Until next time,