Game Review - Double Shutter

I have a confession to make. I bought this game for my children, but I am currently obsessed with it myself. I have spent quite a bit of time attempting to beat it and it is addictive!

The game is called Double Shutter. The manufacturer states: Roll two dice, add the dots and find the best combination of numbers to shut two rows of nine tiles. Don’t touch a tile on the second row unless you have already shut the tile in front of it. Very few can shut all the tiles and close the super box.

I will agree with them. I've played countless games and have only beaten it once. My kids also enjoy the game and tend to play as a team so far. It is fun to watch them celebrate when they get to the second row and the agony of defeat when their last roll brings them the wrong number.

I love when an educational game comes in disguise! I think you and your family will enjoy this game and recommend you give it a try.

-Julie

Retirement Home Trick-or-Treating

The mom’s group that we recently joined had a Halloween Party and Trick-or-Treating event at a retirement home. We haven’t been involved with this mom’s group for long, so I did not know what to expect. All the kid’s dressed up and went around the common areas of the retirement/nursing home where the residents were eagerly waiting to give the children candy. Our children were thrilled to see the residents and the residents were just as thrilled to see the children. After trick-or-treating, some of the residents came to a small Halloween party that was held for the kids. The children enjoyed visiting with the residents and each other. This is a great activity to set up with your mom’s group and a local retirement home. The children and the residents will look forward to this event every year. It was a blessing to me to see all the smiles on everyone’s face.

-Robin

Thrifty Thursday - Frugal Toy

We recently acquired one of our most frugal fun finds. We got giant bouncy balls for the kids. They were 50 cents each and it has been one of the best dollars I've spent in a long time. They are mandated as outside toys, but the kids and the dog have been chasing these for hours! We've also used them to create other games using hopscotch squares and some very creative rules.

What are your favorite thrifty games? We would love for you to link that, or any other great thrifty ideas below.

Look here to see how to join Thrifty Thursday.

-Julie

Fall Picnics

Over the weekend, we were lucky enough to have really nice weather. So, we made some hot dogs and headed to the beach for what will probably be our last picnic this year. Our girls love picnics, so we try to go as often as we can. Usually, we go to parks so that they can play on the swings and slides when they are finished eating.

Fall is a great time of year for a picnic. The weather is perfect and the bugs are not biting. Next year, we hope to head north for a fall picnic and enjoy some of the beautiful fall foliage. Fall picnics work for me!

-Robin

Grateful For Time To Play

On this GratiTuesday, I'm reminded of how grateful I am when we have time to play. With back to school and all of the activities involved, we are often so busy. I like when we take time to step away from all of that and just play together. Whether we are working on a craft, playing a board game or just dancing around to music, it helps us reconnect.

I have been pushing myself to remember to take this time for me and for my kids.

-Julie

Glazed Peanut Butter Bars

From time to time, I have thought about a delicious cookie that we used to have for school lunch during elementary school. The other day, I was flipping though one of my mom’s Taste of Home Cookbooks and stumbled upon the recipe for the wonderful cookie that I used to love…. Glazed Peanut Butter Bars. We decided to try the recipe in our kitchen and it was just as wonderful as I remember. I hope you will add the Glazed Peanut Butter Bar recipe to your Menu Plan Monday!

-Robin

Happy Sunday!

You have reavealed the paths of life to me; You will fill me with gladness in Your presence. Acts 2:28