Yesterday, Noah asked me to play a game with him. I walked into his room and he had spread the contents of the SORRY game all over his bedroom floor. We set it up and began to play. He was actually into the game, only distracted by Sunny, our cat, who he had caught and put on my lap. In the end, it was close. Both of our last pawns were in or nearing the SAFETY ZONE. There would be no reason to switch with an 11 card and the SORRY card was a passed turn, so it was just a matter of being lucky enough to draw the right number to bring our pawns into home. Noah was so excited, certain he was going to win. I began to worry because it really looked like I was going to win. We ran out of cards and I picked them up to shuffle. Should I let him win or should I let him learn it’s okay to lose? Being a little brother he already loses a lot. Quickly, I glanced at his pawns, one had seven spaces and the other had one space to move to be in home. I needed three spaces to bring lone pawn into home. I saw if I set the cards down the way they were, I would draw a 3 on my next turn and win. I also saw a one and a 7 near the top. Very discreetly, I put the 1 on top, then a invalid SORRY card, followed by a seven.
“Noey, it’s your turn.”
He drew a 1 and moved a pawn into HOME. My turn.
“Oh I drew a SORRY card. Can’t move. Your turn.”
His large baby hand picked up a card. He has to focus to be able to pick on one and not the entire pile.
“Look you drew a 7, count the spaces for you last guy. He’s HOME, you won!!!”
Noah jumped up, punched at the air with glee, shouted, “I won, I won!”

I used our game experience later that night in my musical improv class. We had to talk about an event in our day and then sing a chorus that summed it up. My chorus went like this:

Sometimes it’s better to lose.
Sometimes it’s better to lose.
If you know what’s best for you, you will try it too.
Sometimes it’s better to lose.

I was actually funny but one those things where you had to be there!!

Here is the postcard for the short I did at Second City. It was a blast.

We spent the afternoon with our dear friends, Casson, Anna, and Sammie in Marina del Ray. They just moved back to CA from NYC. It was fun and relaxing to feel the freedom to be ourselves. Later, Anna came with me to watch my improv show at Second City. What a love. Because it was a little “shaky”. She also gave me a designer bag she had designed. My first real designer bag and designed by a friend. Anna you are a super love. 😉 Nathanael and Noah had fun until they got tired. I had fun until I had to ride home in a messy car with wrappers crackling under my feet.

Noey were walking through our neighborhood yesterday when he exclaimed, “Look mama there’s an army cat!” I looked to where he was pointed and there sat a rather round orange and brown calico cat watching us walk by as if he was guarding his porch. Noey then asked, “Where’s his gun?”

Nathanael had a sale today. Around noon he set up a makeshift table in the back yard with old toys. I mentioned, that I didn’t think his chances of getting customers were very high with it set up out back. So he moved it to the front and proceeded using his own marketing techniques such as shouting in a voice laced with annoyance, “I’m having a sale today. Everybody can come.” As the minutes wore on and customers didn’t flock as expected, Brent overheard him singing a blue-sy song about nobody coming to his sale.
I said a quick prayer asking God to bring a customer. I guess God wanted him to learn more about perseverance than instant success. (I know the frustration that comes with this lesson.) After 1/2 hour, or so, I heard him shouting again with even more annoyance, “That sale is over in ten minutes, if you want to come and buy anything.” Then ten minutes later he came in demanding 2 pieces of Halloween candy. I saw there was more going on than wanting Halloween candy and asked what was wrong. His eyes welled up with tears and he said “Nobody is coming to my sale. I yelled that it was going to be over in 10 minutes and nobody came.” He continued through his tears, rather defiantly, “Put up a closed sign.” Humph…take that!

Noey has a small skull about the size of a walnut. It came off of some creepy Halloween necklace my mom bought him. He’s obessessed with it. He takes it everywhere, shoves it into his pocket or keeps it gripped in his hand like it’s a piece of antiquity. If he miplaces it, he gets this desperate look on his face, the look I would have if I lost my wedding ring . The other night he half woke up crying asking for his skull. I love how kids become obsessed with random objects. A few weeks ago it was little tiny toy shark. I guess adults do the same thing, but usually the objects are a little less unique, unlike the walnut sized plastic skull.