Memory (or lack there of)

I come from a family of gamers. Growing up we were always playing cards (mostly Rook, with a little Gin, Speed, Nerts, Crazy 8s, Go Fish, Kings in the Corner, Spit, Hand and Foot, and others thrown in) and we were also known to break out a board game or two. Sorry, Trivial Pursuit, Life, Monopoly, Husker-Do, Chinese Checkers and later in life Settlers of Catan. And I am sure that I am missing several others. Needless to say I am slightly competitive. Just slightly (a little sarcasm should be noted here). So what do I do with my kids during these long Minnesota winters? We play games. They aren't quite up to Rook playing capacity yet, but we do Sorry, Chutes and Ladders (I hate that game), Candyland, Yahtzee, Connect 4, and Memory. Ava is really good at Sorry, and Luke is incredible at Memory. I consistently get beat by him. He will put together 7 or 8 matches at a time and just kill me. And I do not take mercy on him. I am pathetic, my competitive spirit does find satisfaction in beating a 4 year old, and there is no way I will LET him win. No good can come of that. Just today he beat me 12 to 7. And I seriously was trying.

A very good way to learn humility (for me). I think the competitive gene may have gotten passed along...

In other O'Rourke news, we have officially crossed over to the dark side got our first pet. Rosetta, the dwarf hamster, came to live with us last Friday. Luke named her all by himself (he was quite grumped we were only getting one, and was quite positive the hamster was only for Ava). Rosetta is the name of one of Tinkerbell's fairy friends. I was suggesting names like Squishy, as she is quite a chub. But no, Rosetta it is. She is actually very sweet and the kids are thoroughly enjoying her.

And I can't wait to clean the cage! (Not really...)