Mood:  happy

So, what's all this hog talk been about lately? Why, Pig-Pile from R&R games of course! Last year we were blessed to review a couple of games with the TOS Homeschool Crew, but this year we are in game heaven! We have gotten quite a few games to try out and Pig-Pile is by far the best family card game we have played yet!

When I found out that I was going to review a game called Pig-Pile, I was a bit unconvinced that this was going to be something that my boys would like. It wasn't the name, mind you. My boys have been known to be pigs and to pile onto one another. My kids just aren't big game players. Unless, of course, your talking about Wi, XBox, or Playstation games. But, when we opened the package and saw the colorful box, we became intrigued. THEN we opened the box and saw the pigs...yes I said PIGS...inside. No! Not real pigs! Small plastic pigs that have a lot to do with the game. Let me explain a little bit about how to play first. Then maybe you'll understand.

The rules for Pig-Pile are really quite simple. You try to get rid of all of your cards and collect as many pigs as you can. Everyone is dealt four cards for their hand and, in front of them, three cards face down and three cards face up on top of the three cards face down. The cards in front of them are called their "slop" piles. No, I'm not joking, it really is called the "slop" pile. The cards have the numbers one through twelve on them, except for the "Hog Wild" cards, of course. Some of the cards also have some extra things on them that I will explain in a moment. After the cards are dealt the dealer starts by playing any of the four cards in his hand to the "Pig Pile" and draws another card from the draw pile. The next person has to either match that card or lay a card with a higher number. If someone can't play a card and and doesn't have a "Hog Wild" card, then he has to pick up all of the cards in the "Pig Pile" and the pile resets itself to zero. Of course if someone plays one of those special cards - "Hog Tied", "Hog Wash", or "Ewe Turn", then it could really whopperjaw the whole game! There are some other special plays that folks can make but I won't divulge what there are now. You'll have to buy the game to find out. Let's just suffice it to say that there's never a dull moment with Pig-Pile!

When someone finally gets rid of all of the cards in their hand and in their slop, then they are the winner of that round and are presented with three of those cute little pigs. The game continues and second place gets two of those cute things and third place gets one piggy. You either play a set number of rounds and then count up your pigs to see who won, or you play until someone gets to a certain amount of pigs.  Then they win the whole kit and kaboodle!

My kids are loving it (actually we all are) and are learning a thing or two. Jacob is learning his numbers. Joshua is reviewing more and less. And the family is just plain old having fun! It's a real winner with us. Since we got it, our whole house has just been squealing with excitement! (Okay! I know! That was bad!).

Now I have something that's going to make you all squeal with excitement. Pig-Pile usually sells for $15.95, but R&R Games has given us a special promo code that you can use until the end of the year. It's for 20% off! Just put the code - CREW20 - in when they call for it during checkout! You can get to their great site by clicking here or on any one of the hi-lighted links above. There were a bunch of TOS Crew members that got to review Pig-Pile but there were a bunch that got to review another R&R game called "Flea Circus". Click here to get to the TOS Crew blog to find out what the rest of the crew had to say about these fun games.

Games like this really fit in with the whole reason that I began this blog - to bring households back together so that they can be "Families Again". So, I'm going to close this review by saying - Happy Family Game Playing!

PS. My kids weren't acting like pigs today, they were acting like little monsters. Must be the rain. It was not a good picture taking day so Pig-Pile game playing pictures aren't quite here yet. Maybe tomorrow. Check back and see!

As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew I was sent the card game Pig-Pile for free in order to play at home and give my honest review on this blog.

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Mood:  cheeky

Due to circumstances beyond my control I had to Postpone the Personal Pig-Pile Pictures that I Previously Parleyed about. I will Post the Personal Pig-Pile Pictures Promptly.

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Mood:  incredulous

Yes, I've slopped to new low levels and written a teaser for tomorrow's post. Now don't go hog wild on me! There is some truth to this. My kids have been a bit piggy lately! In fact, the reason I've not written this post is because I wanted to get a picture of them acting like little boars. I just haven't been able to pen them in to take one. Well, tune in tomorrow to find out what all of this porker talk is all about. Until then, don't ham it up too much!

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Mood:  happy

 

I really need to look up some of my old pictures of Disney World and scan them in to my laptop. I know I have some pictures of my favorite "I" things at Disney. But, for right now, internet pictures and one YouTube video will have to suffice.

I decided to pick one "I" thing from each of the Disney World parks with one "cheat" which I will reveal when I get to it. Here goes:

The Magic Kingdom - It would have to be It's a Small World. By now, you know that many of my memories of Disney come from the trips and adventures we had there with my family when i was young. It's a Small World  was one of my parents favorites and it is one of mine as well. I can't wait to introduce it to my kids when we go this spring. I found this YouTube video of this classic ride. It doesn't really do it justice...no video could...but I think you will see why it's one of my favorites.

Epcot - It would have to be the Italy Pavilion in World Showcase. I think I reminisced in a previous post that I worked at Disney when I was in college (and before and after). I became friends with many of the foreign students that attended and would often take a group in during an afternoon or a whole day just to visit one of the parks. One of our favorite stops was World Showcase and eating at one of the really authentic restaurants. Italy was one of the number one choices. Great food and great memories.

Disney's Hollywood Studios - It is hands down Indiana Jone's Stuntman Spectacular. At least that's what they used to call it. I'm not sure if it's even there anymore. That has always been one of the favorites of Sarah and mine. Awesome recollections of date days at the studio and watching this great show. I found out years later that one of my former student's from the private school that I taught at played Indiana Jones in the show for a little while. He was a great gymnast, so I don't doubt it at all!

Animal Kingdom - Okay, here's my cheat! I really couldn't think of anything from this park so I picked something that, at least I think, can be found at all of the parks. Here it is:

Yep! It's a Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bar. They are delicious and a must have for any trip to Disney World.

Well, there you have my favorite "I" things from WDW. Don't forget to check out the other Destination Disney contributors for this week by clicking on the banner at the top. See you next week for my "J" favorites. Could "Jungle Cruise" be one of them?!? You'll have to wait and see.

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Mood:  a-ok

I have a secret to tell you. I'm still reading this book. Don't get me wrong, I basically know what's in it or I wouldn't be writing this review. The thing is, this isn't a book to just peruse or read quickly. This is a book to devour. It's one of those books that you need to read a little, then take some time to think about.

I've been reading and thinking and then evaluating my own life and then usually praying and asking for forgiveness. Then I pray some more and map out a strategy for improving my weaknesses. Now, don't worry, How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids isn't one of those heavy theological books that weigh you down. The author, Rachel Carmen, doesn't write like that. In fact, her writing style is very entertaining and easy to read.

The problem, or really maybe I should say blessing, is that what she says is very thought provoking. It makes you not only think about your relationship with your children, but also about your relationship with your spouse, and, most importantly, your relationship with God.

Another blessing is that this book is very convicting. Through this book, God is constantly but kindly showing me where I've gone wrong. He's brought me to place of prayer for forgiveness.

Never fear, however, because this book is also encouraging. God, through the author, is telling me "It's OK to make mistakes. Let's just reevaluate and go from here. We'll do it together."

Rachael Carmen has divided this book into five parts. Each corresponding with a letter of the word HEART.

H - Have a heart for the things of God.

E - Enrich your marriage.

A - Accept your kids.

R - Release them to God.

T - Teach them the truth.

Each chapter of How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids is filled with Biblical truths and examples, good and bad, from the author's life. This book isn't preachy, but it is convicting. Please, though, don't let this scare you away from this book. If there is anything that I have learned from these chapters it is that each child is different - a gift from God. I also know that all of you are different and unique. God will not give you the same convictions that He has given me. He may not give you any convictions at all. He may even encourage you through this book. All I know is that this is a book that should be on every parent's book shelf. There is something for every parent within its pages.

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