Fun (?) and Games

This week I got locked in a heated match of Rock, Paper, Scissors with Kate. She's only six, but she proved to be a worthy opponent.

Meanwhile, Claire (almost 4) was still trying to learn the ropes.

After many rounds, Kate called a time-out to make announcement.

"I have an idea," she said. "Let's add a new thing to Rock, Paper, Scissors."

I was intrigued. "Go on."

"PENCIL," she announced. "Rock, Paper, Scissors, Pencil."

I thought about it. "OK... How does pencil work?"

That's when she dropped the bombshell.

Whoa.

I considered this development. On the one hand, it would definitely help me. On the other hand, it definitely would not.

I decided to throw caution to the wind.

The game resumed in earnest, but quickly reached a stalemate.

This went on for about 5 minutes. Finally, Claire, who had been patiently practicing her rock, paper and scissor formation, had had enough. No one told her about pencil. She had not been practicing pencil. She was livid.

Fine. Fine. We pulled ourselves together and stopped the battle.

Sort of.

Clearly, it was time for a new game. Kate suggested Tic-Tac-Toe, which sounded innocuous so I agreed. I started playing with Claire. She wasn't really that good, but I let her win a few times. Every time she lost, it was like the world was coming to an end.

"It's not about winning or losing!" I told her. "It's just about having fun playing the game!"

But even as I said it, I realized that statement was a bunch of B.S. I mean, it's not like Tic-Tac-Toe is this amazingly fun game - something that is incredibly amusing to play.

No, the point WAS to win. That was all. So when it was Kate's turn to challenge me, I was ready. But after a couple rounds, it was clear that she knew her stuff. Really knew her stuff.

I studied her moves and realized that she was starting with the same three plays every time. And those plays virtually guaranteed victory in every game. It was like she had discovered the "pencil" -- the guaranteed win -- for Tic-Tac-Toe.

The pencil.

I would beat her at her own game, I decided. Yes, I'd been letting her start every game, but if I was going to copy her strategy, that had to change.

It was clear that she didn't like this idea one bit. A pause, then we both lunged for the paper, each trying to secure the coveted middle square.

I'm not going to lie. It got ugly.

Claire was completely disturbed.

So there we were, wrestling it out, with Claire sobbing next to us. Just some good old-fashioned family bonding time.

Here, I scanned the paper we were using. As you can see, this round of Tic-Tac-Toe didn't progress beyond the center-square battle. Kate was using the green pen. I was using the red.

Good times.

Good times.

The thing is, I know I could have beaten her if she'd just let me go first. But I guess I'll have to save that triumph for another day. In the meantime, I'm picturing it in my head. Over and over.

Hmmm... what's today - Friday? Well, I think I feel another Family Game Night coming on this evening. Mua ha ha!! Excuse me while I go practice...