August 19, 2003

• I Won

  
  

  For some reason this summer we've had a hard time getting a good family day.  Either the lawn needs to be mowed, or someone doesn't feel well, or maybe even there's a bit of emotional tension around the edges of paradise.  And so we wind up spending that obligatory hour together, but then we break apart to our individual interests with some relief and the happy thought that we've done our part. 

  
  

  But, this weekend we finally had a day that clicked for everyone.  We spent some time shopping with the kids.  While we were in one store, a huge thunderstorm blew up and for a time the power was off.  Thanks to good building design and skylights, there was still plenty of light to see so instead of heading out in a panic, we browsed with the kids.  We tried out things we would have walked quickly past under other circumstances.  We had fun.

  
  

  After the shopping, we watched a video with the kids - popcorn all around.  Michael, ever the sceptic, was pretty sure that he wouldn't like the film "Agent Cody Banks".  Then he laughed all the way through, at one point he was laughing so hard, he missed a part and asked us to replay it.  Then he got laughing so hard he missed it again.  When the movie was over he gave it a "3" so he wouldn't have to admit that he'd liked it. 

  
  

  Finally, it was time for the big event.  The moment Tucker had been waiting for all day long.  We got out the Mousetrap game.  He gets so excited he can't sit in his chair.  He has to "test" the trap at ever stage.  And finally we get down to the part where the mice get in "danger."  We played a couple rounds through the danger zone and then he and Michael both landed under the trap at the same time.  That was too much for Tucker.  He sprang the trap on himself just for the fun of "catching" two mice at once.   So I won. 

  
  

  I won the game by default, and I won the day by grace.  It was great. 

  • 11:56 am
  • 33 Comments