Eating and drinking games

In between chicken and brussel sprout bites at dinner, we were playing a card from Family Fun Time's "Dinner Games," which works equally well as brain teaser and conversation starter. It also helps to keep the two younger boys engaged in the dinner setting, and contributes to them actually finishing their dinner because they spend less time fooling around.

The nightly Damoclean promise of dessert in exchange for a finished dinner helps, too, of course.

The card had prompted the family, starting with the youngest, to name a food. The next person repeats that food, and then adds a food that starts with the same first letter as the starter food. Keep going until someone gets tongue-tied.

I'm probably getting the food order wrong in this recitation of what happened next, but you'll get the idea.

Benjamin started us off: "Hot dog!"

Mason: "Hot dog, hot chili pepper!"

Sam: "Hot dog, hot chili pepper, hamburger!

Me: "Hot dog, hot chili pepper, hamburger, horseradish!"

Brandy: "Hot dog, hamburger, hot chili pepper..."

Mason: "Wrong order! Everybody drink!"

Brandy and I shot looks at each other, nearly doing spit takes with our seltzers and were unable to suppress our laughter. I'm pretty sure in between chuckles we were simultaneously and telepathically wondering what our 7-year-old has been watching on TV, home or away, and whether he's been playing Kool-Aid quarters or apple-juice pong when we're not looking.

Everybody drink indeed.