First Games

Isabella has been over the moon the past few weeks with some new games.  Nico did a little research online and came across a couple of games suitable for two year olds and older.

The first one was this fruit orchard game which is designed to practise colours.  The very first time we played, she was a bit thrown by the whole concept but from the second time on, she's played perfectly - in both languages.  She finds it really fun.

Inspired by the success, Nico then ordered a farm game to do with counting which has gone down just as well.  She loves anything to do with animals and is also counting in both languages - though not always in order.

It's a goal of ours to start having a regular games night again and I love that she is finally reaching the age where we can do this as a family.  Both the concepts of colours and animals have been big projects at nursery so the games mean that we are reinforcing their good work at home, plus, she will hopefully not feel left out when the baby comes along.

Distractions

Lately, I haven't been playing Farmville as much as I used to - I haven't had time since I've been back at work.

I do need some distractions though.

I'm still going strong with Quirkle - my favourite 'switch off' game. No need to concentrate much on this one.

I've recently added an app called 'Criminal Case' to my repertoire. In this one you need energy points to play and as I refuse to pay money for games that means I am forced to take breaks but it's an interesting game and helps my memory.

Thinking of Grandma lots this week reminded me of our days doing crosswords together and I downloaded a new app to keep me busy and my mind young.

Speaking of minds, I've switched over my brain training to an app called Elevate. It means I have everything in one place - on the tablet and it changes things up for me too.

Top 5 Childhood Games

Monopoly

This must be a favourite in most families. It's a classic! It could get a little competetive in our house but I can't wait until Isabella's old enough.

Trivial Pursuit

I always remember my parents playing this with their friends and I was desperate to be old enough to play.We had the junior version. We now have it in German and English.

Operation

We never owned this game but Boxing Days were especially magical as we could raid our cousins' collection and play this one.

Hungry Hippos

A real kids game - we used to love this fast and furious entertainment.

Super Mario

Of course we did have Gameboys in my childhood and this was a solid family favourite. It brings back many memories!

Mario vs Sonic

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We recently became a gaming household with the purchase of a Playstation 3.  It's been quite therapeutic to have a game on an evening - racing each other or having a game of chess.  

Growing up, I never had a playstation, we were more of a gameboy household and as such, grew up with Mario.  I loved the Mario games!  Playing this week has taken me right back.

Unfortunately Mario isn't available on Playstation but his long lost cousin, Sonic is and it arrived today.  This could be dangerous!  My only memories of Sonic are when we went to visit distant relatives on Boxing Day - they had a Playstation and were more than happy to whip us at Sonic!  

It really makes me wonder what kind of childhood memories our little one will have one day.  At least there's one we will kind of share.

What were your favourites growing up?  Any recommendations for us?

The Great Language Game

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 Have you tried the great language game?  

 Warning!  It is strangely addictive!

On a languages note - I am still going strong on this website - a little a day - and recommending it to my students. 

Pax Porfiriana

Yesterday I took my first daytime drive out in the new car to visit a friend for an afternoon of games.  She visited a board games convention last year and has been excited to try this new purchase ever since.

Pax Porfiriana is a board game based around cards.  I had a headache all afternoon as we deciphered the rules (we had a two player game, but up to six can play).  However, by the time we finished, I was enjoying the game more and more.

The game is based on the Mexican Revolution.  A topic I knew nothing about - in fact a topic I still know nothing about other than the fact that it was complicated!

I think it is like Siedler von Catan in that there are a lot of rules and it seems quite complex but the best way to do it is just to play and learn as you go along. 

For those who like games of strategy and have time and patience, I would recommend this game.

Settlers of Catan

This weekend with our visitors we finally had chance to finish not one, but two games of Catan - one with the extension pack which we have never managed before.  We are even thinking of cracking out the second extension pack while they are here!  We haven't even opened that one ourselves yet!

It's a great game that is really big here in Germany (but also available in England) but you need four players so we don't often get chance to play.  Even our visitors needed a little bit of convincing but really got into the game in the end.

Games Review

With Gran's visit last weekend we cracked out the dominoes again and Nico was even inspired to buy a new, extra large set.  Gran is an absolute domino shark - you have never seen a grandma get so excited and power crazy over a game!

We also cracked out another game that was a first for the English in the group.  It's called Pi Mal Daumen which is all about guessing numbers.  The questions all have numbers for answers and you don't have to get them spot on to get points.  It even gave Dad the chance to practise his German and we had great fun.

Board Game Round Up

Quirkle

Last night we had friends over for games night.  With the wedding and holidays, it's been a while since we had one of these and I was looking forward to restarting my Catan campaign, however, when we offered the guests the choice, they went for Quirkle and Monopoly.  Can you believe our friend had never played Monopoly?! 

Of course she had a huuuge dose of beginners luck and won both games, putting the rest of us to shame.  Next time, I'm going for Catan but it was good to change it up a bit.

Qwirkle

Continuing our games theme, Nico purchased this little gem this week.  I have never heard of it so I'm not sure if we have it in England (the instructions were German, French and Italian).

It's called Qwirkle and it's a bit like a cross between dominoes and scrabble.  The best bit is, it can be a two player game so after dinner last night we sat down with some music and a nice cup of tea, and had a game.

I'm looking forward to the next round!

Games Night

At the weekend, we had a lovely end to the holidays with some friends over for what is becoming a pretty regular games night. 

This time we indulged in a game of Siedler von Catan.  Nico has been wanting to play this for a while but it requires at least three players and this was the first chance we had with five players.  At first it seemed overly complicated but we soon got into it.  It's kind of like a medieval version of monopoly.  You build and trade.  We're already looking forward to the next round when we can crack out the extension kit.

28 New Things...play chess.

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This weekend, I finally convinced Nico to play a game of chess or two with me.  I discovered that, some books teach you nothing.  I also discovered that Nico is the master of the understatement - "I've only played a bit, I don't remember much".  (Or maybe I am just rubbish.)  The whole experience took me back to my childhood when instead of Nico whooping my ass, it was my Dad!

So far I have made the experience sound quite negative, however, I did enjoy finally getting some practice in rather than reading about chess.  I did learn from thee first game, I could tell this because the second game took much longer.  I plan to keep on practicing, when I can talk Nico into it again...

Dixit

Saturday saw the first of what I hope will be many games nights in our flat with Ed and Loreto.  We played Dixit.  Loreto has been telling me about this game for a while as she has been using it with some of her course friends to improve their German.

The point of the game is to use a word or phrase to describe what one of your picture cards makes you think of.  All players place down a card which could represent this word or phrase and they must then vote on which they think was the original card.  You play until all the cards are gone.  

It was great fun, we played in English and German and we all really enjoyed it.  The picture cards are especially lovely.  In fact, we enjoyed it so much, we are considering buying it ourselves.