COVID 19 - The Coronavirus: Some Gaming

We played a lot of video games over the weekend. I was a little fried on Friday and I just let the electronic times roll. I tried Invisble Inc and then started a Battletech career and spent way too much time on it. Turn-based RPG/strategies sucker me in with "Just one more..."

Shane played a lot of Minecraft....and he was really excited when I installed the educational edition on my computer, too. Shane built a "parkour" course on a space station level that he had me jumping through. He would stay in "create mode" and be all-powerful with the ability to fly. Then he'd have me in "survival mode" where things he spawned could (and would) kill me.

He really liked it, but I had Battletech on in the background and would switch back and forth while he "made something for me" and was consumed by whatever he was up to.

Tuesday, I decided the family needed a video game detox. It's Holy Week and I'd rather we did things as a family in the really, real world.

I have declared it a "family fun week." The goal will be to do some card and board games all week with each other!

We've done some gaming already (just not as much as I may have dreamed). Shane really liked my X-wing minis.

He's been watching Star Wars Rebels, so he's got Star Wars on the brain! We only played once, but he spent a couple of days flying my ships around. He even built his own ships like the "Starburst Shooter" out of k'nex.

Zombie Kids has seem some playtime, too.

It's a legacy style game with progression. We've almost opened all of the envelopes!

Max enjoys laying on any paper products we offer to her.

Carrie likes cards. She'll play solitaire on her own enough that Shane knows what it is. The main games Carrie plays with me are Rummy and Four Corners. Shane knows how to play Rummy some. He actually beat Carrie once!

He's getting better about not showing off his whole hand whenever he leans forward, but the kid is no savant.

My new detective game got a quick play since I mentioned it last (I could play it once a day, but I'd rather not do it solo!).

We played a few games on Monday after I declared game week. We had a game to select the games, too.

We've played some Love Letter Batman Edition, Rummy, and Exploding Kittens so far. Shane really wants to play King of Tokyo and Sheriff of Nottingham.

When Carrie fell asleep Monday afternoon, Shane and I played a game of Blokus. He's good for a 9 year old.

"Let's leave it out so Mom can see it," Shane said.

I knew it wouldn't last!

As I write this, I told Shane we'd play a game after he put his clean clothes away. It couldn't have been more than 10 minutes of work, but he's been in his room humming for at least 40 minutes.

I'd complain, but I wrote a whole post while he's been busy!

UPDATE: We played some Pokemon. Shane got his engine running collected 5 out of 6 trophy cards the second game. Not bad kid!

I don't go easy on him. He gets some takebacks if he forgets something or makes an obvious mistake, but I make the best moves I can when it's my turn. I tell Shane that he's really good for his age, but he's got to keep practicing to beat adults.

UPDATE 2: We played Sheriff of Nottingham next. Shane loves when Carrie does all the voices and acting bits. "Papers, please! Keep the line moving! It doesn't sound like chickens in your bag. Why would you bag chicken anyway!?" He tries to imitate her and do his own voices, but it normally doesn't work out as well!

Also, Carrie's really good at the game in general. She smoked us. 

Updating!

Friday was Gravitopia day for the kids.

Nana, Pop, and Shane met with Kathleen, Evelyn, Tenley, and Cole.

It looked like a lot of fun!

Shane said that Kathleen can do a backflip, and, "She almost busted her head!"

He's known to exaggerate.

I don't think Nana and Pop exaggerated how much fun the kids.

Everyone went to Chick Fil A afterward.

They played their hearts out for hours.

Meanwhile, Carrie saw a problem.

She decided to fix it.

Shane had complained that the kid's room got cold quickly. Carrie worked to uncover the vent and rearrange the room for a warmer and more open feel.

Then, we went to see Star Wars: The Last Jedi. I have some strong thoughts about it, but I won't bother you with them here.

There was a long, long line of cars trying to leave afterward. We detoured to Bed Bath and Beyond.

I sent Nana a picture of a possible Indy gift.

Shane stayed with Kathleen, Stu, and Cru throughout. We all met up for dinner at Cook Out.

For Carrie and I, it was the second time of the day! We'd grabbed Cook Out on the way to the movie.

Carrie and I didn't fit at the table, so we got to eat in relative peace. Nana treated the kids to Bruster's Ice Cream for dessert.

We decorated sugar cookies when we got home. The ice cream helped prevent sampling.

Carrie was reluctant to start, but went all in when she succumbed to pressure.

It was a delicious way to end the night.

Even I got in on the fun.

Unfortunately, I didn't get Bruster's, so I had room for sampling.

Games, Games, Games!

I refuse to play Monopoly Junior anymore. I don't really want to play Monopoly either. I guess it's a good thing I have so many other board games.

I'll play the occasional card game of War or Go Fish, but there are much much better games out there!

I introduced Shane to Imperial Assault earlier this week. He's got zero clue about tactics, but loves the models and making sound effects. I'm just glad I got to use it! I got it from a fantastic sale, but it was a shelf decoration up until this point.

The variety of games help me avoid the games I don't want to play. Shane's been so busy with school, activities, playing outside, and the new games he hasn't asked me to play Pokemon at home in weeks.

I did play the last time we went to League Night. We stopped by this week on the way to Costco. I didn't expect to see any kids there, but Dick and his grandson, Brett, were playing.

We ended up staying an hour.

I don't know how often other kids (or we) will show up to League Night this school year, but it's nice when it does work out.

Star Wars Week

We couldn't wait any longer. The spoiler attempts keep compiling. Dylan's dad, John, loaned us their copy of the DVDs. 

Carrie, Shane and I watched Episode IV on Monday to celebrate his green day and refresh his memory.

He struck green again on Tuesday.

That allowed us to put on my favorite Star Wars movie!

Carrie was thrilled. She asked us to stay home from Shane's wrestling (and I'm not about to tell the love of my life "no" on Valentine's Day!).

Shane was enthralled for Hoth. His pent up energy got him into trouble afterward. Sitting still was impossible. He 'accidentally' dived out of the recliner and did a full flip (bumped his cheek in the process). I still don't understand exactly how it happened.

Carrie got frustrated and we shut the movie down halfway through.

We struggled through 30 hyper minutes Wednesday and came back to the couch Thursday to attempt the final stretch (Shane's had green days all week!).

The final scenes did not disappoint. They grabbed Shane's attention and didn't let go. We made it to the spoiler I've been waiting to record.

Fun times! You can tell he was zoned in. I love Carrie's reactions as much as Shane's.

Star Wars Strikes Back

Another rainy Saturday, another Star Wars event! Dylan and his family were at this one!

The boys force popped popcorn.

There was a Death Star ball toss.

Use the Force, Shane. Don't cheat.

Eli, Dylan's younger brother, charged one. The librarians had to put a box behind it to keep it up!

The boys enjoyed themselves. Everything is better with a friend.

Then came the lightsabers.

Shane and Dylan grabbed front row seats (and nearly got stepped on).

Soon lightsabers were passed out...

...rows of padawans were formed....

...and class began!

Dylan was focused like a laser throughout. Shane? Not so much.

It was great fun watching him go at the teacher, though! My son has enthusiasm to spare!

Class ended when the Imperials from the 501st marched in.

Also, wildly exciting for Shane. He put those TKD skills to use.

Arts and crafts were present throughout. Dylan and Eli's parents are both artistic, and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Shane had less focus, but he enjoys anything new.

The boys made lightsaber pencils together before it was time to go home.

Shane had a second surprise at 6:00 PM: Nana and Pop! They were on their way north to visit Jama....

...during a hurricane! I took the liberty of drawing their usual route on a weather map.

Pop, however, was much smarter than that and took the more westerly interstate. It added half an hour, but managed to skirt around everything but some green.

They arrived safe and sound. We ordered Chinese and chatted until they continued north.

They'll swing through Staunton on the way south again to visit Uncle Patrick. It's always good to see family!