tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post1451431281605876693..comments2024-03-28T09:10:39.441-04:00Comments on ben and birdy: BenBirdy1http://www.blogger.com/profile/13328557199418095755noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-10173840698332099702011-11-18T14:49:24.801-05:002011-11-18T14:49:24.801-05:00I second the recommendations for so many of these ...I second the recommendations for so many of these games: Hisss, SET, Slamwich, Mancala, etc. To the list (of games for younger kids), I'd add Yikerz, a game with a configurable board and magnetic pieces that you have to place strategically in order to avoid them all joining together.Sarahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1712923427319103262010-12-20T11:55:01.773-05:002010-12-20T11:55:01.773-05:00Along the lines of Harvest Time... our kids love p...Along the lines of Harvest Time... our kids love playing the cooperative game "Max". The players have to help the creatures (squirrel, bird...) get safely to their homes in the tree before Max the cat catches them. <br /><br />An aside - thanks Catherine for this blog, I always enjoy it!Shaunanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-34305543868771341232010-12-18T19:30:09.392-05:002010-12-18T19:30:09.392-05:00Dear Catherine
So I read this post and went back t...Dear Catherine<br />So I read this post and went back to find the salty caramel corn recipe - made it tonight and bagged up 15 bags for family and friends, and right after dinner opened the first bag to start feeding my new salty caramel corn addiction! You are a bad bad woman! Thank you so much for a delicious recipe. Happy Christmas to you and yours xoxo<br />Lee-AnneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-57377634894010261842010-12-17T23:56:51.359-05:002010-12-17T23:56:51.359-05:00My kids *loved* Cariboo when they were preschooler...My kids *loved* Cariboo when they were preschoolers. It was the first game that they would play on their own, without adult help. Now, at age 6 and 8, they love Set (as do the adults in the family).Carolnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-50433542791207573222010-12-16T05:28:31.599-05:002010-12-16T05:28:31.599-05:00Thank you, Catherine!
My wonderful wife is now te...Thank you, Catherine!<br /><br />My wonderful wife is now terribly jealous that I've gotten a "shout-out" on your blog -- she is a big fan of your writing and read your book repeatedly throughout her last pregnancy (hasn't grabbed it yet this time, but we're just entering the second trimester...). Thank you for the game ideas--Santa might be bringing Hi-Ho Cherry-o and Slamwich next week! And lots more to follow...excellent.Jedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145978061616140729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-29805884934747585512010-12-14T13:52:54.869-05:002010-12-14T13:52:54.869-05:00Just gave SET and RUSH HOUR JR. as game gifts, the...Just gave SET and RUSH HOUR JR. as game gifts, they are really good thinking games. Thanks for the game roundup!Tiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08630499753049804761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-48522261849597832862010-12-12T11:00:22.933-05:002010-12-12T11:00:22.933-05:00Love your writing (became a fan with Wondertime ma...Love your writing (became a fan with Wondertime magazine a few years ago) and thoroughly enjoy your blog. Several of my best, most-requested recipes have come from you - most recently that amazing Maple-Rosemary Popcorn!!! I read about it Friday and made it first thing Saturday morning. Everybody loved it and it's going to be the gift I give to everybody this year, along with the regular Salted Caramel Popcorn that I got everybody hooked on last year. <br /><br />As for board games... love them! Family game night was such a big deal in my house growing up - and it gave me plenty of activities later in college that may or may not have been accompanied by a tasty beverage or two. (Tourrette Boggle, where each word had to be exclaimed in a funny accent and used as inappropriately as possible, was a huge favorite.) <br /><br />I strongly recommend the card-based game, Guillotine. It is small enough for traveling, super-easy to play, and hilarious. It is based on the French Revoluton and the artwork is great: cartoony and clever with historical references and a slightly twisted (but not too inappropriate) sense of humor. It is no more complicated than collecting a card at the front of a line, but each player has the ability to play "action" cards (ie. reverse, skip, move a card, etc.) to rearrange the line in a way that will score him or her more points and possibly screw over somebody else. Point value is based on how unpopular that character was to the French masses, so Marie Antoinette is one of the highest scorers but the Hero of the People earns negative points. The card that makes it all worthwhile and that will totally buy in Ben and Birdy is the Piss Boy, shown carrying a big splashy bucket of ... yep. He's only worth one point but never fails to prompt silly giggling. Although it's not part of the official rules, we always try to manipulate the line in order give the Piss Boy away to someone else. There's always a great deal of humor when he's in line as everybody tries to avoid getting stuck with that card. It is such a fun, funny game and if anyone wants to up the educational value, it can be a starting point for a discussion on the French Revolution and the uprising of the lower class. (If you want, be super-nerdy and connect it to Les Miserables or compare it to the increasing separation of the classes in our own society, especially during this economic downturn.) But we like it for the silly pictures. And the Piss Boy. Definitely the Piss Boy.Cherylnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-74678583787423078282010-12-11T13:52:29.949-05:002010-12-11T13:52:29.949-05:00My almost-four-year-old and I like Cranium Cariboo...My almost-four-year-old and I like Cranium Cariboo. The object is the find one of six rubber balls hidden behind little doors. When you line all six up in their little tray, they open a treasure chest.You draw cards which have a number letter or color on them and use a key to open a door with one of the corresponding features. Out of all our games (and we have quite a collection) this is his favorite.Amy Ruth Webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09342142789141194152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-86543642613896188622010-12-10T08:25:46.203-05:002010-12-10T08:25:46.203-05:00I highly recommend CAMP for young and old. If your...I highly recommend CAMP for young and old. If your family loves the outdoors, animals, nature- you will love this game. It's sorta like Trivia Pursuit, but each question has a series of questions you read depending on the age of the person. Best game I've ever bought!Kellyhttp://sagetribe02.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-48442927263557601332010-12-09T15:46:45.902-05:002010-12-09T15:46:45.902-05:00PS-- why do kids have to grow up so fast? I mean,...PS-- why do kids have to grow up so fast? I mean, I know that's the whole point and all...but when you are all done and your little one is about to be three and your biggest about to be 12....sniff, sniff. I've missed your words...glad my self-imposed no-blog-time has gone by the wayside (as has no chocolate, no iced-coffee in working glass cups...ahem...your fault on that one)...:)katehttp://www.alifelikethisone.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-85640308856351591622010-12-09T15:43:51.991-05:002010-12-09T15:43:51.991-05:00And CAMP! Seriously-- you guys would love it-- lik...And CAMP! Seriously-- you guys would love it-- like a trivia pursuit with wildlife, and with different question levels-- our 2.5 year old can play and so can my 41 year old husband!<br />PS- The popcorn? Just made it to my ultimate solstice gift giving list-- right up there with your GRANOLA. Honest to Pete-- you are like a lil' elf in my ear:)katehttp://www.alifelikethisone.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-41783604276502299592010-12-08T13:45:35.236-05:002010-12-08T13:45:35.236-05:00Thank you, guys, for the feedback and recommendati...Thank you, guys, for the feedback and recommendations. Keep them coming. . . <br /><br />Erin, I think maybe 4 days max for storing the popcorn (I've put it in the mail, but sent it priority.)<br /><br />v: Perfection *still* scares Ben and Birdy.<br /><br />And Elena, as long as someone can read the rules, there is no writing or reading involved in the game itself.BenBirdy1https://www.blogger.com/profile/13328557199418095755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-17841735933933670092010-12-08T13:08:18.284-05:002010-12-08T13:08:18.284-05:00For young ones, I highly recommend the Curious Geo...For young ones, I highly recommend the Curious George Discovery Beach game...and not just because FamilyFun honored it with a Toy of the Year Award ;-) My two boys (4 & 5) love it, and it's fun for mom & dad as well. Plus, everyone looooves the Tidal Wave!Alli McDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08457418813980693872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-89542635220420758132010-12-08T11:21:00.515-05:002010-12-08T11:21:00.515-05:00Just ordered Zooloretto and Ticket to Ride as Chri...Just ordered Zooloretto and Ticket to Ride as Christmas presents for myself... I always try to buy one new board game a year and was so happy to have recommendations!!!<br /><br />Thank you!ThreeOfUshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15712030319726027256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-11908902562983409222010-12-08T08:19:03.958-05:002010-12-08T08:19:03.958-05:00Dear Catherine,
I actually have a question about ...Dear Catherine, <br />I actually have a question about hunters and gatherers game. Do the game pieces themselves have language on them? Or can I get the Russian version (since I can translate the rules myself) and still have my family play it? I am the only one who can speak Russian, so I would not want to get the game if there are game cards that have writing on them. Thank you, <br /><br />ElenaElenanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-1253073496718425972010-12-08T00:39:47.601-05:002010-12-08T00:39:47.601-05:00Mancala looks beautiful, and I'll have to stor...Mancala looks beautiful, and I'll have to store it away in my memory for when my kids get a little older.<br /><br />One game that my girls love playing is Rapelli (a quick Google search shows me that it's available from Timberdoodles.com). The actual rules of the game are a bit tricky for my youngest daughter, so we make up our own. It's easy, fun, and no small parts to worry about.Stephaniehttp://www.creaturebug.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-83569544217365165682010-12-08T00:38:07.564-05:002010-12-08T00:38:07.564-05:00Okay, the dome/dice game is Trouble (looking at it...Okay, the dome/dice game is Trouble (looking at it online, I'm not sure why we liked it). The shopping game is Bargain Hunter.<br /><br />Mainly, we liked making up our own games to play with existing boards and pieces. That's probably incentive enough to own a wide variety of games, as my daughter does the same. (We "played" Clue the other day: basically playing house with the pieces. When I was younger, I played boarding school with our Clue board.)<br /><br />I might stop commenting now. :)vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17854030795263204694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-24784521277330294252010-12-08T00:32:21.862-05:002010-12-08T00:32:21.862-05:00Oh, my sister and I also loved to play a game wher...Oh, my sister and I also loved to play a game where you got big plastic credit cards to buy things like refrigerators and washing machines. I don't even know what the point of it was, but we played it a lot.vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17854030795263204694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-24741668257249788962010-12-08T00:30:13.687-05:002010-12-08T00:30:13.687-05:00My younger sister and I used to play Perfection, w...My younger sister and I used to play Perfection, which has the suspense/pieces flying about aspect I am imagining Squeezed Out to have. We also played a lot of bingo. For whatever reason, we had several versions (we didn't have kid versions). We also played a board game where the dice were enclosed in a dome in the middle. I remember that we enjoyed it, but I don't remember what it's called.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing these. I'm so tired of looking at all the same games at the stores and not wanting to buy any. (I *did* recently find Blokus at Goodwill. We haven't played it yet, but my daughter loves making designs with the shapes.)vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17854030795263204694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-9893812178765418642010-12-07T22:52:35.134-05:002010-12-07T22:52:35.134-05:00Literally just made your Salted Caramel Popcorn re...Literally just made your Salted Caramel Popcorn recipe this weekend! Ate it all instead of giving it for gifts. Must make more! And I'll try this new version, too!!Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03720426938011606536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-17754676418108255172010-12-07T22:22:35.524-05:002010-12-07T22:22:35.524-05:00A word for Hisss, a great game that worked really ...A word for Hisss, a great game that worked really well for my boys (still does, at ages 5 & 7). No reading required--you pull a card and try to build snakes by matching colors. I'm sure there are official rules about the winner has the most or the longest or the whateverest snakes but my kids just love making them. So do all their friends who come over. Love the game. And can't wait to try the popcorn and am not sure if I hope my kids like it or not.Ooniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15162162953846737959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-73689417846653302562010-12-07T20:52:00.045-05:002010-12-07T20:52:00.045-05:00Gawd, how I love your posts! Keep em coming! I loo...Gawd, how I love your posts! Keep em coming! I look EVERY DAY to see if you maybe added another one. You make me laugh. :oDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-3767795819458731772010-12-07T16:25:21.463-05:002010-12-07T16:25:21.463-05:00I love our copy of Hi Ho Cherry-O. It's from m...I love our copy of Hi Ho Cherry-O. It's from my husband's childhood. And, may I say that the brussels sprouts recipe ROCKS! That pretty much all I had for lunch Saturday. A plate of luscious sprouts. I'm making them tomorrow to take to our next door neighbors' for the last night of Chanukah. Oh, and I made your latke recipe for last night, when my friend and her daughters came over to decorate my Christmas tree (an annual event). She hadn't planned to make any this year, and was touched that I made them for her.Teafortwonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-40975897211432366872010-12-07T16:13:13.228-05:002010-12-07T16:13:13.228-05:00Even with the batteries out i just can't get i...Even with the batteries out i just can't get into Operation. But I love Jenga!! And I think I will get Sleeping Queens for J as a gift! Love these posts!Rachel_Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08002321272570376186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-20806920492515416202010-12-07T15:00:58.932-05:002010-12-07T15:00:58.932-05:00Catherine,
I just got caught up on your posts. S...Catherine,<br /><br />I just got caught up on your posts. Sorry i missed the contest, but great ideas! Question, how long do you think the popcorn would last for? How far in advance can I make it for presents? Thanks!Erinnoreply@blogger.com