Family Game Night: Where Pegs, Pinkies, and Pride Collide

Sometimes you just need to turn off the TV, put the phones down (well, sort of), and remind your family that you can absolutely crush them in board games. 

We kicked off the night with Life. Ah, the game of grown-up dreams—college, careers, and those little plastic peg people. Right away, Spencer announced: “NO WAY am I getting a child peg. Nope. Not gonna happen.” He meant it, too. But let him land on one of the new Pet spaces? Suddenly he’s counting every square like a lawyer looking for loopholes. We had to watch him closely because the kid was ready to sneak himself a golden retriever if given half a chance. 

Scott, meanwhile, was cursed with the worst spins in history. Ones, twos, maybe a three if the wheel was feeling generous. It took him forever to “retire,” and naturally, Spencer and I ribbed him the whole way: “Come on, Grandpa, shuffle faster!” 

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Scott was also the banker. Terrible plan. He kept handing out way too much money. I’d love to say we were honest and returned it immediately… but let’s just say “for the most part” is doing some heavy lifting here. 

Spencer strutted around like he owned the world because he bought the most expensive, glamorous house on the board. Me? I ended up with a houseboat. He teased me relentlessly—until I quietly stacked up the cash and still beat him. Mama wins again. Scott came in dead last, muttering about “rigged spins” and how he “should’ve gone to college.” 

Then came BLLOX. This game is equal parts speed, chaos, and humiliation. You read a card, stack a block, then slap the card on the table before grabbing the next one. Let’s just say my hands are still sore—because apparently, the boys slap like they’re auditioning for the WWE. 

The challenge cards were ridiculous. One round had us hopping after every block, another forced us to use only our pinkies. But the best (or worst) round? We had to memorize our block sequence, close our eyes, and build blind. Turns out none of us has the memory of an elephant—or even a goldfish. Towers toppled, blocks flew, and we laughed until we cried. Spencer, of course, dominated. I lost. Bad. 

But you know what? It didn’t matter. Because for one night, it wasn’t about who won—it was about the chaos, the laughter, and the reminder that these small, silly moments are the glue holding us together. 

Life is a lot like these games. Sometimes you spin the wheel and land exactly where you don’t want to be. Sometimes you carefully stack your plans, only to have a card come along that forces you to do it blindfolded. It’s unpredictable, frustrating, and hilarious all at once. But God reminds us that joy isn’t found in winning—it’s found in showing up, being present, and choosing to laugh together, even when life doesn’t go our way. 

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” — Proverbs 17:22

Want to suggest a family game? Send me a message! I can wait to see what is up next!