The Gamer

Parker is a gamer in every sense of the word. He loves to play basketball, but also loves video games, computer games, and board games. Ever since he was 2 and we played Cootie Bug for the first time, he's been hooked. It's one of the things we've always done to spend time together. I think he likes playing with me because, as a non-competetive person, I usually let him win. Not his dad. From tic-tac-toe to tiddlywinks, Yancy gives it his all. He says if the kids win against him, they'll know they really won because they were good and not because he let them win.
Whatever.
Anyway, when Parker came to me this afternoon and said he was bored (after spending at least an hour on the deck, stripping the twigs off a branch, sanding it with Dad's electric sander, and sharpening the end to make his own arrow) I suggested we play a game. It's been a while since it's just been he and I - with time to play a game. I told him to go pick out a game while I finished some work I was doing. He came back with Monopoly. Okay, so I guess this isn't going to be the 20 minute quality time I thought it would be. I looked at my list of things to do...considered asking him to change games...then thought 'what the heck' and headed to the kitchen table, leaving my list behind.
I laughed so much! He's such a character...trash talking and trying to cheat...but in a cute, mischiveous way. One time he rolled a 6 and a 4...then promptly moved his piece 11 times. "Hey!" I protested "You rolled 10 - not 11." He gave me a dimpled smile and said, "Can I just keep it?" Of course I let him.
I actually ended up winning (the first time I've ever beat him at Monopoly), but it was probably because, after an hour, we had to count up our cash and property assets and end the game. I'm sure with another 20 minutes he would've had me. So for now, I'm the Monopoly Queen! But I feel a re-match coming on real soon.