The 10 Minute Game

A Game a Day Keeps the Grumps Away...

As long as it's a 10 Minute Game!

I love playing games, I really do. However, games that last a long time, require a lot of setup, or lots of instruction, are just not my type. I like simple and fun games that are quick to setup, fast to explain, simple to catch on to, and where play time is ten minutes or less. It is tough for me to justify playing Monopoly or Settlers of Catan on a whim. I do have ten minutes to get out a quick one and have a little fun.

Christmas brought us two, new "ten minute" games. The whole family has already mastered them and we have deemed them as "Keepers". 

Tenzi
This was a gift from my sister's family. It is the BEST! This is a one minute game or possibly 30 seconds (depending on how many rounds you play). Each person (up to 4 players), receives ten dice of the same color. However, each player's dice are a different color. I may have blue...she may have red...he may have pink, etc. Everyone rolls their dice at the same time and the object of the game is to roll your own dice until they are all one number. 
Example: I roll my dice and three of them are fives, the rest are random. I set aside my fives and roll the other seven until they are all fives. I yell "Tenzi" when all ten dice are the same. There are may variations that make it fun and fast-paced. Tenzi is the perfect game to play with younger children, too. We have played it at least 50 times, and we tend to play at least 20 rounds each time the game is brought out. Everyone wants to play so I got us another set so 8 people can play at once. BEST GAME EVER!!!!! 

Spot it
I first noticed this game at a lunch date with a friend. She had her five year old with her, and to provide some entertainment, she took this game out of her purse and this cutie went to town with matching fun. The cards are circular, filled with random items such as a four leaf clover or a paint splat or a lightning bolt. Sometimes the items are big, sometimes they are small. Each player is given one card to begin with. The remaining cards are in a deck with one card turned over. The first person to spot a match between their card and the top of the deck (by shouting out the item) gets the deck card. The next card in the deck is turned over and the matching adventure is on again. Sounds easy? Well, it is harder than you think. Sometimes it takes me 15 seconds or more to discover that I actually have a match, because each card has 10 or so items on it and the object is not always the same size as a previous card. My youngest child received Spot it for Christmas. This is another fun one that takes only five minutes to get through, is fast paced, and addictive. However, since you are competing against other people, some tears of frustration may be shed. 
Tip: If you're playing with younger ones, keep the older kids out. They tend to take over and the little people get upset. A four and six year old play well together, but when the fourteen year old is in, he'll find all the matches and then you'll wish the game was never pulled out in the first place. 

A quick, 10 Minute Game is a great motivator...

"Get all ready for bed and we'll have time to play a 10 Minute Game"
"Go tidy your room and we can play a 10 Minute Game"
"Want to play a game after dinner? East your veggies!"
"Get dressed for the day and we can play a game!" (My 4 year old loves to live in her PJs)
"No more grumps! Cheer up and we'll play a game!"
"Get ready for church by 10:15 and we'll play a 10 Minute Game."
"Let's have a 30 minute quiet time and then we'll enjoy a game together." LOVE THIS ONE

...You get the picture.

I'm developing a 10 Minute Game bucket. When it's time for a quick game, get out the bucket and pick one. Or, have two games going - younger kids on one, older children on the other. 

Stay tuned for more ten minute game ideas. February is our Media Fast Month so we'll be doing a lot more game playing for the next 24 days.

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Write-Downable of Last Week

Grateful for Dates with my Hunk-a-Love!

Write-Downable (n) 

"A statement that is cute, funny, priceless, sensitive, loving, one-of-a-kind, sweet, or spiritual; a word, phrase, sentence, or story that touches the heart of another and is deemed worthy to write down, thus recorded forever and not forgotten."

Word Created By: The Bushman Family

Definition By: Julie Bushman

Write-Downable of Last Week:

In her prayer, "Please bless that Mommy and Daddy can go on a date." (4)

YESSSSSSSSSS! 

Either she is really, really thoughtful, or she likes it when we go. In fact, I could hear my teenage son singing Party on the Dance Floor when we walked out the door a few months ago. Wish I could be a fly on the wall when we're not home!

Things have been better when we get home from an evening out. I used to get upset when we'd get home and the house was a mess, the food didn't get cleaned up, the children didn't get bathed, or nobody was in bed. My expectations were too high and could not realistically be met. I've learned some things that have really helped...

Win-Win Ideas:

Give specific instructions, but limit the list. If there's too much, children are overwhelmed and will give up. Make sure the tasks can be realistically accomplished.

Prioritize the list. Have some Must-Dos and some bonus jobs or money jobs, as my kids call them. You never know when a child will be extremely motivated. You just might end up with a super clean bathroom or an organized pantry when you get home...definitely worth a few dollars!!

Call or text when you're thirty minutes from coming home. That's when the hustle tends to happen. If they get a warning call, the panic sets in and people get moving.

Point out the accomplishments and thank the children for doing them, because they feel appreciated and validated. They'll remember that feeling and will have the desire to be helpful the next time. 

Create an incentive for fulfilling "the list". When all the jobs are done, they can rent a specified movie on Amazon on Demand (I LOVE THIS SERVICE), have a treat, go to the park, go get ice cream (if the babysitter can drive...17 more days!!!!!!!!!!!!!) or open up a surprise bag (if Mom plans in advance). I love incentives, don't you? Kids do, too!

Date in Salt Lake - August, 2012

Since she prayed for us to go on a date, let's turn that faith into action. Where are we going, honey?

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Write-Downable of the Week

Write-Downable (n) 

"A statement that is cute, funny, priceless, sensitive, loving, one-of-a-kind, sweet, or spiritual; a word, phrase, sentence, or story that touches the heart of another and is deemed worthy to write down, thus recorded forever and not forgotten."

Word Created By: The Bushman Family

Definition By: Julie Bushman

Write-Downable of the Week:

My daughter says to her brother,"You're so weird!"

He replies, "I'm not weird. It's called the principle of individuality." (Age 13)

I LOVE this!! He did not miss a beat with his retort. Yes, I've said it before, but it thrills me when the principles learned in the classroom are seen and used outside of the classroom. That means it's really sinking in and being recorded in the "fleshy tables of his heart."

This pretty much sums up his individuality!

And this!

 The Foundation for American Christian Education (FACE) has designed a principle approach methodology for learning. The school our children attend utilize the FACE curriculum. One of the seven principles of America's Christian History, Government, and Education is:

God's Principle of Individuality

"Everything in God’s universe reveals His infinity and diversity. Each person is a unique
creation of God, designed to express the nature of Christ individually in society. Parents
and teachers should cultivate the full potential of Christ in every child."

We just wrapped up Parent Teacher Conferences this week. This child's teacher gave us a quote as we left:

"I believe that each newborn child arrives on earth with a message to deliver to mankind. Clinched in his little fist is some particle of yet unrevealed truth, some missing clue, which may solve the enigma of man's destiny. He has a limited amount of time to fulfill his mission, and he will never get a second chance - nor will we. He may be our last hope. He must be treated as top sacred.

In a cosmos in which all things appear to have meaning, what is his meaning? We who are older and presumably wiser must find the key to unlock the secret he carries within himself. The lock cannot be forced. Our mission is to exercise the kind of loving care which will prompt the child to open his fist and offer up his truth, his individuality, the irreducible atom of his self. We must provide the kind of environment in which the child will joyfully deliver his message through complete self-fulfillment."

Sam Levenson, Everything But Money, 1966

That's a heavy responsibility as a parent - to provide the loving care and environment so that our child can offer up his individuality and deliver to the world his unique message.

The question is, how do we do this? If we focus on the principle of individuality, then the answer is, "It's different for every child". The tactic, method, and approach we use as parents will have to be learned, then adjusted, then practiced, then adjusted again for each child. It's an ever-learning cycle, one that involves a lot of prayer, thought, meditation, concern, time, and energy. 

One method that we use is to discover in each child what interests bring him joy or happiness and then look for experiences so that interest may be cultivated.

Here's a simple example that happened yesterday:

Our son (11) has become very interested in finances...saving, spending, and learning about coupons, freebies, bargains, and deals. We always get coupons in the mail, and as of late, he enjoys combing through those coupons to find things of interest to him...deals that will save him money and provide enjoyment to him or our family. He reads them to me and asks questions to clarify what each deal means. It has been so enjoyable to watch!

One of these coupons was to DP Cheesesteak, DP standing for Downtown Philly. Wow, Sam could have picked up his Philly Cheesesteak sandwich just two miles from home!

Located near Costco, our son heard that we needed to make a Costco-stop yesterday, so he asked if we could go to DP Cheesesteak. Now, I'm the practical one. When I hear a request like that, I have to think in my head what's going on for the day, will it fit in the schedule, how will it work out, who will drive, who will watch the other children, etc, etc. However, Sam's the spontaneous one. Due to this spontaneity, Dad jumped at the chance to help our son utilize his frugal desires and take him to DP Cheesesteak for lunch. This cute boy was thrilled to be validated and taken seriously, AND to use his coupon for a delicious sandwich for lunch. 

Love this coupon-clipping, money-saving boy! What is his message that we must unlock?

 

Today's Stick-to-it Tip: Look for little ways to cultivate the principle of individuality in your children.

So similar....

....yet so individually different!

 More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

The Bitter/Sweet 17 Month Perspective

"Well it's hard to say goodbye and let go,
and it's hard to see it end
When the memories we just made may never happen again.

But it's harder for time to ever replace the together times we shared.
So when we're apart, remember, all the fun we had together.
And for all that love, thank the Lord above who showed us, the way...."

Michael Mclean - Together Forever

When my first two children were born only 17 months apart, I was nervous. I recall thinking, "How can I take care of two babies at the same time?" They were both babies, yet at different stages and with different needs. It was a challenge, but I was young and full of energy and we made it work. 

I was just a baby myself!

Those two little rascals were the best of friends. She taught him how to press the buttons on the VCR. He taught her how to play "war" in the basement. She knew ALL the rules. He knew half of the rules. They planned sneak-a-ways together and dug themselves into the neighbor's backyard oasis. 

It really has been bitter-sweet having them so close. We rejoiced when we had our first babysitter and then our second just 17 months later. Celebrations continued when our oldest daughter obtained her driver's license and then our son followed, 17 months later. Three drivers in the house! Now that truly was something to rejoice over! She was graduated in 2011. He followed in 2012.

Now, just like sister, we are "losing" him to his next step in life...Brigham Young University. Again, Bitter/Sweet. The 17 months was sweet when we needed babysitters, but it's slightly bitter when it's time to say goodbye and let go. Yet the sweetness outweighs the bitter. It always does. We couldn't be more happy and excited for his success and the new adventures that await.

Wednesday was move-in day. 

I wrote a letter that morning to tuck into a care package we prepared for him. 

Tears fell as I wrote. I got them all out so when the time to say goodbye came, I had no more to shed. In fact, relief was the emotion of the afternoon...relief that we got him to this point, that the college preparation chaos was coming to an end, attentions could turn to other family matters and members, and "normal" life would return. The first three have occurred; the latter has not.

Some of my Stick-to-it Tips to my son...

• Remember, Remember the things you have been taught and the principles you know are true. Stay true to those things and you will be safe. Remember, true safety and freedom comes from keeping the commandments. 
• Those you keep company with will help mold you. You will develop many of the attributes of those you spend time with. It is crucial that you choose friends wisely and look for those who will uplift you and make you a better person. Also, it’s important to be that person, too, so you will attract people that seek for goodness. 
• You have worked tirelessly to get to this place in life. Many have sacrificed that you can be here. Use your time wisely. Take your classes and studies seriously. You have worked your way to BYU. Be wise with your resources – your time, money, talents, and abilities. 
• Be good to your roommates. Love them and serve them. Look out for their needs and put them above your own. This is a practice ground for your mission.  Roommates are together sometimes. Companions are together always. 
•  Don’t forget about your siblings. They love you so much and look up to you with great admiration. Keep them in your prayers, call them, email, text. Remember their birthdays. You don’t have to spend money. Your time and attention is all they want. 
• Remember, we are always here for you. We are excited for this time in your life, but just because you’re leaving, it doesn’t mean we’ve left you. You can count on us, just like you have throughout your entire life. 
  
• Pray for assistance in balancing your time. You have many things that you can spend your time on. Pray every day that you will spend your time wisely and you’ll be able to accomplish the most important things.
• And a few random things…Minimize eating out. Don’t do your homework on Sunday and you will be blessed. Since you live farther away, spend your time on campus as you need and then go home for the day; minimize the times going back and forth. Do your home teaching! Make a lot of friends, but don’t forget those that have been there for you at crucial times in your life. Don’t forget to lock up your bike! Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. That is how you learn and progress. Eat salad at least three times per week…it’s good for your poohs.  (Thanks, Dad, for that bit of advice to your posterity)

Yes, he's ready and he's excited!!!

Moving in? First Step - Make your bed. (I did it for him)

Roommates!

Good thing we got him a first aid kit! He needed it after ten minutes. Remember your pocket knife safety!!

You achieved your goal!!

Now, go get 'em...I have a feeling you won't lack for fun and excitement!

What will the next 17 months bring?? Whatever it is, I can count on it being bitter/sweet.

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!