The Game is Afoot

Gems of Reflection: #41

So, it seems that I responded to a reflection very similar to this one in a post a while back entitled, Board Games and Giveaways, and I don't want to get repetitive, so check that post out for the traditional answer to this question, then come back here to read today's post. 

Now that you're back, I am going to touch on some new games that I have discovered recently, along with some of all my all-time favorite games, in the non-traditional sense - because a girl likes to be non-traditional and frivolous every now and then. And what do ya know, it isn't even Friday. Hehe.

So, I went to a baby shower recently, and though I was looking forward to seeing some old, familiar faces, and being there to support my friend on this exciting, new journey, I often feel an initial sense of unease going to these things. I know there are usually games at these things - and for some reason, when I am aware of the fact that I am not going to know many people at the party, the idea of games makes me a little nervous. I don't know why, maybe because I might actually have to talk to someone I don't know? Haha. When did I start feeling anxiety over talking to new people? What a weirdo I've become. lol.

Anyway, I got to the party and was pleasantly surprised at how fun some of the games were - and also to my surprise, a few of them were even games that I haven't played a hundred times at other showers. One, in particular, was a piggy bank game called I've Never. The party host listed a series of experiences, starting each sentence off with "I've never..." If she said something you've never done, you stayed in your seat, but if she mentioned something you had done (ridden a horse, flown on a plane, swam in the ocean, etc.), then you would get up and put a coin in the piggy bank. You had to empty your coin purse for this one, and the intention was to fill the baby's first piggy bank as much as possible. It was actually really fun, and I thought it was a very clever game. I found myself wishing I had brought more change with me. If I ever host a baby shower in the future, I might have to steal this one. Hehe.

Now, I know we don't usually think of sports as games, but each individual competitive experience is called a game, right? At least it is in some sports (football, soccer, basketball, etc.). That's why we say, "Good game" at the end, right? So, in this sense, my favorite game is volleyball. I played several sports in high school  (volleyball, basketball, track, marching band), but volleyball was my absolute favorite. 

My love for "the game" was sparked early in my teen years when I played with other youth at the church, so when high school came around, I just had to play - and some of my fondest memories of high school involve bus trips to games, practices, and friendships with teammates. Those were some of the best times. 

I also played club volleyball in the off season for UNLV for a few years, for which we traveled out of state for tournaments - which was always a blast. One year, we even put a team together to compete against women in an adult league at Chuck Minker Sports Complex here in town. We always got spanked (I think we were only freshmen in high school at the time, so our skills hadn't been honed yet), but man, that was fun.

To this day, I love watching volleyball - on tv, or in real life. I especially love watching it in the olympics. Gabrielle Reece (a beach volleyball goddess from the 90's) was one of my idols as a teen - until I heard she had posed for Playboy. Doh! Now, I love watching Keri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor; although, I heard that Kerri Walsh has a new partner now. Boo Sauce.

Related Link:

52 Gems of Reflection

Board Games and Giveaways

Gems of Reflection: #35

When I was a kid, I LOVED board games. Some of my favorites when I was really small were Hi Ho Cherry Oh, Hungry Hungry Hippo, Chutes and Ladders, and Candy Land. When I started getting a little older, I remember playing some other board games with my family like Zobmondo and Tabu. I think my all-time favorite board game, would have to be Sorry, though.

As an adult, there were a few games that I discovered that I totally fell in love with. Scene It, for example. That game is SO much fun. We have a few different versions of the game now, Scene-it Disney, Scene-It Twilight, and my personal favorite, Scene-It Harry Potter, The Complete Journey (which includes clips and trivia from all 8 movies). If you ever want to see a serious battle going down in our house, suggest that we play that game, and you will even see the crazy (and I mean, CRAZY) competitor come out in my husband. Haha. It is seriously so much fun though. I would definitely recommend that game for a family game night, or family home evening. It makes for some seriously hilarious entertainment.

Another fun game that I discovered as an adult is Apples to Apples. I play this game with M every once in a while (the babies still aren't old enough), and it is also loads of fun. It's a fun game of comparisons that really keeps you on your toes and keeps things light and fun.

Aside from the typical board games, one of my favorite games to play with family is Charades. We still play this game at family get-togethers with our kids, and they have a blast - especially when it is their turn to act out the clues, trying to get the rest of us to guess the answer. Some of the things they come up with (especially my five-year-old niece, who insists she is big enough to have a turn) are absolutely hilarious. It does leave you wondering though, "How on earth were we ever suppose to guess THAT?" Haha. It is fun to see their minds at work, though, and the kids all have a blast. To me, that is what is important.

Anyway, speaking of fun and games, I just wanted to give you guys a quick reminder about The Purple Lady's half-birthday bash that is taking place over at All Things Purple this week. Below is a list of all the current giveaways. There are still a few days left to enter each giveaway, but don't hesitate. Each giveaway has its own deadline, and they will be ending soon. Hop on over there and get in on the shenanigans. You can thank me later. ;)

Custom order of one dozen gourmet cupcakes from Silver Spoon Catering: This giveaway is only open to residents of the Northern Utah area.

Amethyst Healing Crystal

Cragbridge Hall, Book 1: The Inventor's Secret, by Chad Morris

Blackmoore, by Julianne Donaldson