Mancala Before Bedtime

Sometimes at night before bed when Arowyn is needing some extra Mommy time she'll bring her game of Mancala  to me and we'll play a couple of rounds together. This is almost always her game of choice because she is really good at the strategy that this game requires. It's such a simple and straightforward game but if I'm not paying close attention to every move she's making next thing I know she's completely stomped me. I am a naturally competitive person and have to work so hard to beat her and yet half of the time  she still manages to win. Sometimes when this happens it is accompanied by and exuberant "YES!" from her or if she's on a winning streak every now and then she'll say things like "it's ok Mommy I'm sure you'll win the next one". I never knew I could feel so proud to give it my all and yet completely lose to my own child.