The Champion

Yesterday marked the end of a week-long visit from my mother-in-law, better known around our house as Nana. This is the second year in a row that she has decided to come and spend Halloween in Tennessee. It is becoming somewhat of a tradition; one that we hope will continue.

Over the course of the week, the boy challenged Nana to a veritable board game marathon. They played countless games of Connect Four, Chutes and Ladders, Othello, Sorry, Candyland, Scrabble, Cootie and Battleship.

Try as Nana might, she was only able to beat the boy once (I believe it was a game of Connect Four). One time out of probably twenty games. Even when it appeared that she was about to claim victory, the boy would come from behind and crush her.

The boy's seemingly uncanny ability to defeat his opponents in nothing new. Ever since he was old enough play games, I have been trying to beat him. I always told myself that losing was good for his character... that it would make him a better man... that everyone loses sometimes. I was doing the kid a favor by kicking his butt.

Well, that all sounds great in theory. The trouble is that I am rarely able to beat the boy. He always wins. Always. As a result he is cocky and a poor loser. What is a mother to do?

Needless to say, his constant victories over Nana only furthered to boost his ego. The last few games were spent with the boy dancing around and taunting, "I'm gonna' crush you! I'm gonna' beat you! You can't stop me!"

Through it all, Nana was a good sport. I think she was just happy to spend some one-on-one time with her favorite Grandson. The feeling was mutual.

The boy is already making plans to "crush Nana" next time she comes. Lucky Nana.