We are enjoying a new era of game-playing in our house. Our children are now of an age where we can all play games we enjoy together and actually compete against one another. Yes, I did say compete. We are leaving behind the days of gentle “arranging”, allowing our children to climb the ladder or complete the path ahead of us; “accidentally” getting stuck in the molasses swamp while a gloating child breezes past you. Quite frankly, the hub and I are getting a little tired of getting beat by kids. Earn your own self respect now children– momma needs a new pair of shoes.

We’re big fans of word play and one of our favorite new games is “Apples to Apples”. It works very well for a family of four, but gets better as the crowd gets bigger. It is essentially a word association game. The player whose turn it is draws an adjective card (i.e. obnoxious, beautiful, etc.) and the other players anonymously submit a noun card (i.e. weddings, pollution, New York City) that they think most suits the adjective. The player holding the adjective card picks their favorite, and the point goes to the person who submitted the noun card. From time to time the cards are a little sophisticated for the kids, and need some explaining –- “Mom, who was Ghandi and was he “”Sultry””?” -– but in that way it’s a great springboard for conversation. Mattel also makes a Jr. version, along with several other variations, for younger children.

Another aspect of the game that has become our favorite is the shameless campaigning that goes on during the selection process. Although the noun cards are supposed to be submitted face down so the chooser may decide objectively, it almost never ends that way. You’ve not had real fun until you’ve had an 11-year old try to convince you that there is nothing that says “Delicious” like “Jennifer Lopez” or is as “Hardworking” as “Gravity”.

Nor is there anything as “amused” as their “mother”.