A Different Type of Madness

Today, I would be leaving for the Final Four. Bags packed and headed to Atlanta. Instead, I just scrubbed every bathroom in my house, did my 100th load of laundry, watched my kids pull pranks on each other for April Fools and started my 3rd puzzle.  And the amount of dishes I've done! Don't get me started. Thats what we should be hoarding- dishwasher detergent, not toilet paper! Im a glass half full type of person though and so I think for my own sanity I have had to find the silver lining through all this. First off, fortunately my immediate family is healthy and my father is on the mend, recovering well. Thank you all so much for the well wishes!  Also, this new found free time has really allowed for amazing family time and brotherly bonding.  For someone who spends a lot of time on the road, missing family activities, my kids school functions and their games and tournaments, it has been nice to have this time together.  I refuse to take it for granted. We wake up every morning at 8, eat breakfast as a family and go over the school schedule for the day.  We reconvene for lunch and then when all their work (and my housework) is done, we try to get out as a family, playing lax or basketball in the yard, going for a walk or a bike ride. Anything to get some fresh air. Fortunately, my boys have each other and while they are of different ages they have found their common ground because they have to. They are each others only friends and playmates right now.  There are epic Fortnite and Madden battles going on, movie marathons, youtube session, Tik Tok making and intense bedroom basketball games.  Our evenings have completely changed too. No shuttling kids around from sport to sport, no homework and very little ordering in. Now, its all about what new recipe I am going to try with what is left in the fridge while not wasting it all because I don't want to go out and do another grocery shop.  And the good thing is no one can really complain about what I make because we don't have much of choice right now.  Now, if we can just magically snap our fingers and make all those dirty dishes disappear!  But, after everything is cleaned up and put away, we settle down for a family game or movie. Now I'm a huge gamer. I grew up loving bored games, card games, you name it.  And yes I'm very competitive!
Here's our top 5 favorite games to play as a family
1.Rumikub
2.Monopoly Deal (the card game is even better than the original game)
3.Sorry
4.Poker
5.Mexican Train Dominoes

As I've said, I would like this to be an interactive blog, so let me know how you and your families have been keeping busy and send me your favorite family game! 

Stay safe and stay healthy!