Family Game Night

I have always loved board games.  We used to play board games all the time growing up, and Nick and I played a ton before we had kids.  We still have a box in the garage full of board games like Scrabble and Monopoly, and they have been patiently waiting for us all these years.  We have been waiting for our kids to be ready for Family Game Night, and yesterday we decided Tes was ready.  I stopped by the store on my way home, and picked up Candy Land, the essential first game for every child.  Tessie was so excited to see the game, and we promised that we would all play after dinner.  However, we ended up having a last minute dinner with our neighbors, and so the game was put off. 

Tonight, we kept our promise, and set up the game.  Tessie literally jumped up and down for most of the game.  She couldn't believe it when she got to skip ahead to almost the very end of the board, and shouted "I'm winning, I'm winning!" with a triumphant look on her face.  Then the game turned.  She had to move backwards, and Christian shot ahead.  Her face started to fall, and I was worried she might get upset.  Christian won the game, and Tessie looked very confused.  She told us that next time she would pick cards that let her win, and we had to explain that in games there are rules, and you have to follow them.  We told her that sometimes she will win, and sometimes she won't, but it is still fun to play.  I don't know how much of that lesson she really absorbed, but it is a hard one to get.  No matter what, our very first Family Game Night was a lot of fun, and I see many more beautiful games in our future.