Playing games with our grandsons is fun. This weekend I played checkers, Connect Four and farm animal dominoes with the six-yearold. You don't know how to play any of these games until you've played with a six-yearold who makes up the rules as he goes along.
When we played Connect Four, he informed me that I did not win because my pieces were at an angle and that was not 'legal'. While playing farm animal dominoes he accused me of cheating because I won. I'm not sure if I'm insulted or humiliated that I was called out by a six-yearold.
The best game we played was checkers. I tried to help him out without being too obvious by pointing out what would get his checker 'jumped.' He let me know when we got down to a few 'kings' that he was allowed to move in any direction but I was not. It is hard to argue when you're laughing your head off.
We were tired from all the game playing. It's exhausting keeping up with his 'rules.' After a brief rest, we decided on a rousing game of Skip-Bo.
His brother, who needs a lot of help, played with us and Xander was not pleased when I helped Saul and he won.
Xander told me I was wrong for helping his brother win.
Saul was very reluctantly playing because I told him he had to lay off the electronics for a while.
He told me he's 'Not made to play board games.' Even winning doesn't get him interested in games.
He played 'Life' with us and their other brother Zane but he gets exasperated when they try to help him.
'How about pinball?' I offered. I bought a small pinball game for them a few years ago. The boys like it because it requires a little luck. As long as they're winning, they'll keep playing.
Although I'd like to think they miss their Nana and Papa terribly and that keeps them coming back nearly every weekend, I know it's the electronics and our internet, smart television, several streaming services and lots of snacks that keeps them coming back.
Once they showed me how to navigate the streaming services, I found I kind of liked them too. But without a guide to tell me what is showing I tire of looking and end up switching back to the old satellite. I haven't the patience to scroll through dozens of programs, most of which I've never heard of.
Anyway, I have only two electronic devices the boys can play on–the house iPhone and my iPad.
To keep the bickering down to a minimum I set a timer, so they take turns. The boys usually come in threes.
I may need to 'bite the bullet' and buy another iPad to keep things even. I wonder if I could find a cheap one just for games. These days, probably not.
I'm sure one of these days Siri is going to have a fit from all the 15minute timers I set.
Saul and Xander were playing on the iPad last night and I heard Saul say, 'Ewww, Xander, stop that.' I looked to see what was going on and here's a sentence I never thought I'd hear myself say, 'Xander, do not lick the iPad screen. It's gross.'
Have a nice week, y'all.