Monopoly Musings

We've had our Monopoly game for years now. It has been well-used over that time, as is evident in the shape of the board itself and the ring, used in The Lord of the Rings version to play a shortened game, has been lost for some time, having been replaced by a key ring.

The kids pulled it out yesterday afternoon and we spent about an hour and a half trading properties and cash. Nicholas amassed the most in property and cash combined. I think I had more cash than he did, but my number of properties was few.

Since they hadn't played it for quite some time, it was interesting to note the changes in how they play. Andrew still loves to make deals to trade properties in order to get a set. He then almost bankrupts himself putting strongholds and fortresses on those properties. He loves to be the first to put up any buildings on the board. He also is a lot more relaxed about the game in general. It no longer bothers him whether he has the most of anything. He has discovered the joy of playing the game just for the sake of playing the game.

Nicholas is very suspicious of any deal Andrew puts forth and usually demands an exorbitant amount of cash before parting with one of his cards. Funny, though, Andrew sometimes wants the matching card so much that he'll part with almost any amount of cash. Nicholas also hoards his money, is careful about his purchases and very selective in putting strongholds and fortresses up. He's very much like this in real life. He considers any purchases very carefully, weighing the choices, the pros and cons, before parting with his money. He has a good deal of restraint when shopping, even with birthday money or gift cards in hand. The others? It's gone before you even get to the shops with all their imaginings of what they are going to buy. And spend it all they generally do!

Matthew now approaches the game in a different way than previously. Before, he would buy whatever he landed on, didn't care how much money it cost and whether it was a good buy. He'd trade with anyone for anything (Nicholas would usually stick up for him when Andrew was trying to make a deal) and he didn't care whether he ever got to put strongholds on a property. He'd get upset about having to pay rent out though. Now, he asks questions about how much rent he would receive, how much it costs to put strongholds on the property and is a little more thoughtful before making a purchase. He has no trouble figuring out rent payments to others, although he still loves the idea of getting change back!

This morning, when I finally came downstairs (I admit, I stayed in bed for a while after I was awake - I have had a terrible headache for a few days now and I just couldn't face getting up it hurt so much), the boys were all set up in the family room, happily playing another game of Monopoly. When they put it away (just moments ago), there was no counting of all cash and properties to determine who was the true winner. This in itself is a huge change. Andrew used to be almost upset if everything wasn't tallied up to be able to declare a winner. Now? No big deal. They all agreed it was a good game and they had fun.

Now they are on to practicing cartwheels. Yes, cartwheels in the family room this morning. It was something their TKD instructor introduced last night and so my obsessive bunch has decided it's a priority to be able to do these with ease. Matthew already can and has been able to for a long time, but he's small and rubbery! Andrew and Nicholas, weighing a fair bit more and with longer limbs than Matthew are finding this to be a bit of a challenge. I'm looking forward to nicer weather where they can practice this outside!!!