Our family has become quite the card playing trio, thanks to having a quick learner on our hands who takes after his card shark mother.  Many a summer evening has been spent out on our building’s back patio playing Spit or Trash or Sleeping Queens after dinner, and I’m already prepared for that moment in a few months when we realize it’s too dark and cold for such an activity.  Way before Huck was born, Troy and I loved to play Spades with various friends across the country, and I’m happy to say that our child has now learned the 2 and 3 person version of our favorite game ever.  And not only that: he beats both of us consistently.  (Though he’s generally a non-competitive good sport, a 7 year old regularly winning never hurts the family harmony.)  I’ve had one physical ailment after another this summer and several visits to the doctor, pharmacist and physical therapist, and that can bring a person down.  In the midst of this mostly fun and energetic summer, simply playing cards with my two favorite people has been my highlight.

“You know what they always say: the only two ways to get to know someone are to live with him or play cards with him.” – FROM THE MIXED UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER by E.L. Konigsburg, 1967.