The Biggest Loser

It's time for me to clean off the shelves where we keep our kids' board games. There are games in there that no one has played in years--time for them to go and make room for the games we play now.

One game that I won't miss much is Candyland. I think it's safe to get rid of that one now that our youngest is almost 7. candyland-game

When he was three, he was deep into his Candyland phase. Fourteen thousand times a day, he could be heard to shout, "Let's play Candyland! You shovel up the cards..."

Having gone through the Candyland phase twice already, there was a big part of me that wanted to make sure that he never played this game. Hey, it worked with Barney...but I can't deprive him of everything.

My husband used to "stack the deck" when playing Candyland with the kids. This is not as cruel as it sounds. He would set it up so that the child would get the "ice cream float" card on the first or second turn, and the adult would get "Mr. Mint." This would insure that the child would win the game quickly and hopefully be on to something else.

Candyland is a tedious game, especially before 7 in the morning when you have not had adequate coffee yet, and you're four spaces from the Candy Castle when suddenly you get the dreaded "Plumpy" card, so the game goes into its "second deck." I am of the firm belief that all picture cards should be banned from the "second deck" and all subsequent decks.

I know that my older son agrees with me, because the last time I played Candyland with all the kids, he got "Mr. Mint" in the first two decks. Then in the last deck, he got "Plumpy."

Perhaps the Big Kids could write to Milton Bradley Company and suggest this rule change. Parents everywhere would stand up and cheer.

COUPON TIME

After I clean out the game closet, there'll be room for some new, age-appropriate games. Game shopping is much more fun when I can save money too--that's where these coupons will come in. If you're looking for games, video games or toys boxes to store your games, there's a coupon here for every need.

MONDAY ONLY:
$5 shipping on orders of $75 or more at DisneyShopping.com
Enter promotion code SHIPNOW in your shopping bag and click "Submit".
Valid through: January 19, 2009 11:59pm PT

Extra 10% off Clearance Item orders of $100 or more at ToysRUs.com
Valid through: January 31, 2009 11:59pm ET
Valid online only. Applies only to in-stock items. Not valid on previous purchases.

While Supplies Last
$50 off Guitar Hero World Tour Super Bundles at ToysRUs.com
Plus Free Shipping
Valid through: Unknown
$50 discount does not apply to Wii edition.

Free shipping on all Video Game Pre-Orders at ToysRUs.com
Valid through: Unknown
Excludes PC games.

$5 off online orders over $20 at Lego.com
Use catalog/promo code bscd28.
Valid through: Unknown
Cannot be combined with any other offers. Valid only in the U.S.

$10 off your order when you buy 2 Leapster Games at LeapFrog.com
Use this link to view the promotion code. If there are any problems, enter JA9LTR in your shopping cart. Discount will appear during checkout.
Valid through: February 4, 2009 11:59pm CT

50% off shipping on select Toy Boxes at Little Tikes
Valid for standard shipping.
Use discount code TOYB0109.
Valid through: January 31, 2009, 11:59pm PT
While supplies last. Pricing and availability subject to change. Please check website for final prices and availability.