There are many fun childhood events that you get to relive when you have children of your own. My family has been plowing through a Lego stage, which has been fantastic. Recently I stumbled upon the fact that my children are ready for a whole new level of board games. We've been playing quite a few "Chutes and Ladders" and Winnie-the-pooh-branded "Candy Land" matches, yet as much as I love my children, playing these games consecutively has been only slightly more enjoyable than having my gums tattooed ("CURSE YOU, MUFFIN CARD!!!"). I'm glad to be there for my children, forming an understanding of rules, etiquette, sportsmanship, and other important principles. It would be better, though, if the games were a lot less annoying.
A few days ago, I thought I'd throw a new game in the mix: Monopoly. My daughter is 9, and my son is 5, so I wasn't sure how the young one would take to this game. I thought maybe he'd enjoy it since you get to buy things, roll dice, move cool pieces (he likes the boat and the car). I sooooo underestimated their enjoyment. EVERY day since we played the first round, they have begged me to play it with them. I am sure part of the enjoyment is just sitting down with dad to have some fun, but they like the game a lot, too.
Caleb's learned a lot about counting, and Katie's learned a lot about not taking advantage of people (she knows Caleb will accept just about any trade she offers). We've finished two games and declared a winner before the end of two other rounds (bedtime has a limit as to the number of extensions, as does Caleb's patience).
This whole adventure has opened up a whole new world of games that have gathered dust in the closet. Katie's been known to venture into Stratego or some high-thinking games like it. We've also started branching out into a few more card games aside from "Go Fish". A few more items on my list: Settlers of Catan (looks geeky, but is fun for everyone), War (with doubles-slapping), Sequence, and (for Katie) Mastermind. We pulled out Crossbows & Catapults a few months ago, and it has been a big hit as well. Who doesn't get a small kick out of plastic-chucking rubber-band powered medieval siege engines designed to knock down plastic castles? Vicarious living! :D