Games have always been a big part of our household; in every format you can imagine.  We play elaborate cooperative board games, engage in fierce head-to-head battles of chess, participate in exhausting rounds of Just Dance, and who knows how many rounds of charades we’ve put out into the universe these past few years.  Of all the genres of gaming entertainment we can find, however, those that make us laugh are by far the most enjoyable.  Our lives are enriched by the humour that resides in our home, and this past Christmas Nora received a book full of new types of games: math problems, crosswords, jumbles and one tin particular that has captured her attention every day since and in all the right ways.

Mad Libs were certain a thing when I was a kid, and I’m sure they were a thing long before me.  The concept is rather simple: fill in the blanks of a story by providing different nouns, adjectives, adverbs, etc., the joy then comes from the fact that no two stories are ever the same.  Within this format and in the mind of a child (or the mind of a 42-year kid), the potential for silliness is endless.  Remember, after all – farts are funny.  We’ve already ploughed through a couple of pre-made books and magazines, and what I love perhaps more than anything else is that, not only are we engaging in a fun activity, but the kids are learning in a fun new way. Leaning about vocabulary, obviously, but also in creative thought, written word, and even pattern recognition.  It’s a pretty wonderful thing to witness.  That said, while I will always support investing dollars into these types of engaging activities, I couldn’t help but recognize: we can easily make our own versions of these.  Simply start with a basic short story and replace whatever you can with the help of others!

Dad’s Story (the starting point)

Once upon a time, in the small village of Elora, lived a Proud Dad named Phil.  Phil was not a complicated person, and he had ideas and passion just like everyone else.  He went to work everyday, he brushed his teeth just like everyone else, but more than anything he loved his family and the joy and pride they brought him.

He was married to a beautiful woman by the name of Alison.  Alison was many things: kind, supportive, loving, and funny, to name just a few.  She cared for others, including Mother Nature, and she worked hard to create a safe space as a result of her kindness.

Together they were parents to two talented children: Nora and Audrey, both of whom knew that the most important things in life were to explore, play and laugh.

Nora, who was the oldest, loved math, art and reading.

Audrey, who was the youngest, loved math, science and games.

Both of them loved their parents most of all.

Together they lived happily in their world.

Mom’s Story

Once upon a time, in the small village of Amsterdam, lived a sparkly toy maker named Jennifer.  Jennifer was not a complicated person, and she had kindness and organization just like everyone else.  She went to the brewery everyday, she wet her boots just like everyone else, but more than anything he loved his underwear and the joy and pride they brought him.

Jennifer was married to a pink professor by the name of Phillip.  Phillip was many things: teeny-tiny, slow as molasses, sharp, and green, to name just a few.  He sung for others, including the garbage truck driver, and he worked hard to create a office as a result of his roundness.

Together they were parents to two squeaky children: Nora and Audrey, both of whom knew that the most important things in life were to yell, skip and laugh.

Nora, who was the bluest, loved coffee, champagne and tea.

Audrey, who was the hottest loved carpet, rugs and yoga mats.

Both of them loved their hippopotamuses most of all.

Together they ran gingerly through in their world.

Daughter’s Story

Once upon a time, in the small village of Dominican Republic, lived an ugly farmer named Fred.  Fred was not a complicated person, and he had a home and an iPad just like everyone else.  He went to the CN Tower everyday, he messed up his pillow just like everyone else, but more than anything he loved his slushy poop and the joy and pride it brought him.

He was married to a stubby teacher by the name of Mike.  Mike was many things: ugly, messy, short, and tall, to name just a few.  He ran for others, including Disney characters, and he worked hard to create a school as a result of his magic.

Together they were parents to two fuzzy children: Noelle and Hannah, both of whom knew that the most important things in life were to walk, run and bake.

Noelle, who was the roughest, loved CN Tower, Eiffel Tower and France.

Hannah, who was the rockiest, loved Pauline, Hermione and Teddy.

Both of them loved their toothbrushes most of all.

Together they slept quietly in their world.

A Story Yet to be Told

Once upon a time, in the small village of (location), lived a (adjective) (profession) named (name 1).  (name 1) was not a complicated person, but he had (noun) and (noun) just like everyone else.  He went to (location) everyday, he (adjective) his (plural noun) just like everyone else, but more than anything he loved his (noun) and the joy and pride they brought him.

(pronoun of name 1) was married to a (adjective) (noun) by the name of (name 2).  (name 2) was many things: (adjective), (adjective), (adjective), and (adjective), to name just a few.  She (verb) for others, including (noun), and she worked hard to create a (noun) as a result of her (noun).

Together they were parents to two (adjective) children: (name 3) and (name 4), both of whom knew that the most important things in life were to (verb), (verb) and (verb).

(name 3), who was the (adjective), loved (noun), (noun) and (noun).

(name 4), who was the (adjective), loved (noun), (noun) and (noun).

Both of them loved their (noun plural) most of all.

Together they (verb) (adverb) in their world.

_____________

Sure, it’s a bunch of nonsense, but the concept excites me.  The bones of one story, developed in completely different ways. Word are pretty cool things, aren’t they?

Well, mostly cool….slushy poop 🤢