We re-taught ourselves how to play Yahtzee (Randy and I hadn't played since we were kids), and taught the kids for the first time. It ended up being really fun. One of the times Landon was shaking the dice cup I told him to say, "Daddy needs a new pair of shoes!" This proved to be hilarious, and I'm sure is something he'll start adding to his witty repertoire.
Whitney prepared this artistic dessert for us earlier in the day. The recipe (because I know you'll all want to make it) is an unwrapped Airhead, with 3 fun sized butterfingers spaced evenly, 2 peppermints placed in-between the chocolates. She added a ring of peanut butter for decoration, but you substitute anything you'd like there. She also added crushed peppermints to the peanut butter garnish and a couple m&ms for flair. She was beyond excited about us sharing this dessert, though she ended up eating almost all of it herself.
We also played Pictureka, which is our new family favorite. It's fun for all of us, but the kids really love it. It's kind of funny because when they opened it on Christmas morning they both responded with indifference, but when we played it for the first time during FHE the other night they kept saying how much they loved it and how fun it was. (I think there's a lesson to be learned here...mom always knows best!)
While we were playing games I brought out a box of chocolates that I'd gotten for 75% off at Target that night. You would have thought I told them we were going to Disneyland or something because they were so excited. Landon took one bite and said, "Where have you been all my life?" We devoured the top layer of chocolates quickly so I lifted up the little tray to reveal a second layer and Whitney just about lost it. She couldn't believe there was a whole other layer of goodness in there. (We don't get out much.)
We then moved into the family room to play a new PS2 game "Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?" I'm happy to report that I am.
We also played SingStar until almost midnight. It's kind of great that we're all pretty horrible singers because there's no pressure whatsoever to be good, it's just fun.
We turned on the TV at 11:57 just in time to see the ball drop in Time's Square. That was the first time the kids had ever seen that happen since this is their first year staying up until midnight for New Years.
We took this self-portrait in front of the TV while the celebration was going on. It felt memorable even while we were doing it. It's weird that the kids are old enough now to really remember things like this.
**What board games do you love?
Do you remember New Year's Eves from your childhood?
What did you do to celebrate?**
Do you remember New Year's Eves from your childhood?
What did you do to celebrate?**
16 comments:
I can totally hear Landon saying that while shaking the dice! We enjoy Yahtzee.
Whitney's excitement over the box of chocolates cracked me up. My kids would probably do the same thing, since when do kids ever get a box of chocolates?
Max and Lucas love staying up to ring in the new year. I tried to get a picture of the screen like you did but I missed it and then discovered I was too tired to rewind and try again!
Here are our favorite family games: Boggle (not so much Lucas, though he has gotten a lot better at it), Yahtzee, Monopoly, Cities & Knights of Catan, Blockus, Risk, Contract Rummy (like Phase 10), and now Ticket to Ride.
The most memorable New Year's Eve from my childhood was when I was 12 -- my parents went out, I was the babysitter and my best friend came over. My mom bought us tons of snacks and treats and we thought it was the best night ever.
Your description of New Year's Eve is so funny-the chocolates story is too much! What a fun cozy evening with just your family.
I don't remember New Year's Eves growing up. But this year was pretty fun. We had all my family here for a Settlers of Catan night--mine and Jeremy's very first time ever playing.
Those kids of yours are so funny! :) They must get that from their parents! Sounds like the perfect new years eve... wishing you an even better one than the last!
Your kids crack me up! Game night with the family is the best. We always do that with my family when we go home. There's so many of us that it turns into quite the spectacle.
Thanks for the birthday wishes and thanks again for the very cute cards!
*hellooo, babe!*
I'm glad you spent New Year's Eve all snuggled up as a family. Good stuff. Our girls went to bed as usual, between 7pm and 7.30pm, and Paul and I just lounged about watching the Europeans doing their bits (Moscow, Berlin, Paris etc) and we drank Baileys with ice. Yum.
At midnight we watched Big Ben do his 'bongs' and then ran upstairs to wake Erin. She'd asked to be woken at midnight, so she could watch the fireworks outside. Our neighbours did good!!
Board games - oh, we're doing really kiddy-style games at this particular stage. Tonight we played 'Guess Who' - that old game of elimination. Erin's mad about the 'Tooth Fairy Game' - have you got that there yet? But just lately, we've been playing a lot of plain old dominoes! 3s and 5s.
What's all that Toshiba gubbins about??? Yuk to sponsoring the New Year. I don't think there will ever be a day when anyone is allowed to hang a neon banner on Big Ben! Haha! (oh, watch that be my famous last words...)
I love board games but I'm a bigger fan of card and dice games. Yahtzee is one of my faves. I love to play Bunco too but that requires a bigger crowd so it's hard to just pick up and play.
happy New Year!!!!
Yahtzee is my personal favorite game! the only game I can win at because it doesn't require any real smarts ;)I am afraid I may not be as smart as a fifth grader?
I love the chocolates story-- & the new shoes dice roll, really funny. my kids have had boxes of chocolates only because of my deep undying love of sees.
I think it is great that you had a fun family filled new years!
happy new year!!
It was funny to hear you describe the second layer of chocolates as another layer of goodness (so Brian Regan...love him, also!)
It seems like you do so many fun games with your kids...Do you find that you are a better mother to your children now that they are older? My kids are still young, so our time together doesn't seem to be as...let's just say "quality" as yours. --Just curious...
PS...Saw B.Button today--Loved it! Am very intrigued by the special effects...He sure is a looker!
Yatzee
Apples to Apples
Whoonu
Blokus
Uno
SkipBo
Spoons
Dominos
It will be so fun to ring in the new year with our girls in the future. What a fun night!
I remember staying up and playing games and eating food and banging pots and pans outside when we were kids. One year my parents got us those popper things and I swear we thought we won the lottery because we each got to do like 5.
We love Pictionary, Bang, Alhambra, Puerto Rico, San Juan(a great two player version of Puerto Rico), Boggle, and Catan. We just learned this one called Killer Bunnies. It is hilarious and everyone we went camping with this weekend liked it.
Before I forget, I LOVE that picture of you on your post of the 30th. I think that is my most favorite that I have seen.
This sounds like a really fun night. It is what I was wanting but Jason invited his whole freaking family over including cousins and it was pure chaos. I ended up reading most of the night in my room. Toooooo many people and wayy toooo many kids.
I love the simple pleasures you and your family enjoy. It's nice to hear they appreciate it. (Ex. good chocolate....)
We played board games this weekend too. So much fun!!!
Happy New Year Jill!
This post makes me want to pull out all of our old board games and go buy some new ones. We played electronic Life this break, and it was pretty fun.
Thanks for sharing Whitney's recipe!
What fun parents you are!! Your kids are going to have the BEST memories of nights like this! I need to learn from your example, you guys are great!!
And what kind of chocolates were those??!! They must have been delicious!
I love how you and Randy always seem to be playing games with your kids/family. Maybe there's something wrong with me - I don't enjoy games all that much.
we love playing games together. yahtzee is a fave from my childhood days
a fast and fun one is called "spoons" easy peasy and always ends in fits of laughter for us
(are we easily entertained?)
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