The Scrambled States of America Game

At the end of the school year Izzy gave the boys a treat (she calls them sussies - honestly, I have never asked why). JT got The Scrambled States of America Game. We have another state game that the boys like so I admit I was worried that two state games would be too many for them. Silly me. The boys took to this game instantly. As is typical, JT dove in and played endlessly while Zach sat back and watched. After a few days, Zach finally jumped in and now he won't stop.
The game is simple. Everyone had 5 state cards. You flip over a challenge card and everyone has to see who can answer first. The challenges are as simple as "State that starts with an A" to some ones that take a little more time, like "State whose capitol has at least 4 syllables." There is also the boys favorite, Go the Distance Challenge. You flip a state card and then evereyone has to decide who has a state that is the closest. It really is good fun and since the boys aren't reading this I will add educational. We have a good time talking about who we know that live in the various states, which states we have been to, and where we want to go.
Zach carries this game all over the house and whenever he notices that you aren't involved in an actitvity he will ask you to play the state game. I was reading the boys a book last night and I caught Zach playing a round of the state game with Cora the cat. Zach has a few tricks with this game, he likes to always have Texas. If he doesn't set the cards up to ensure he gets Texas, he will request that whoever has Texas trade with him.
A few nights ago, Zach came in to our bed. He figeted for a while and then annouced. "Dad, I just can't sleep. I am too busy thinking about all the states I want to go visit."
Me: "Which state do you want to go visit first?"
Zach: "Rhode Island"

Thanks Izzy for such a great game!