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Last night, our family was the picture of domestic tranquility.

While I flipped through magazines on the couch - Labrador Gus snuggled close - my husband and daughter played Candyland on the dining table.

I was quite focused on my home and garden-type magazines and did not really follow their game. Their conversation was a mid-level hum punctuated by a few "double blues!" and "I'm ahead of yous!" It all seemed so domesticated, so . . . .

"You cheated" my husband stated incredulously.

The room became silent.

I finally looked up from the remodeled dream kitchen with the soapstone sink.

My daughter stared back at my husband, silent.

Later, I pieced together what apparently happened.

Before inviting my husband to play Candyland, Annie went through all the cards and pulled out the ones that could send you back. If you know the game, that might be the gumdrop or the lollipop cards. They can also advance you forward, but I guess she was not taking any chances!

So, the only cards left in the stack were the colored ones, single and double.

Afterwards, my husband tried to explain to Annie that you need to play by the rules, and that the rules call for all cards to be in the stack to draw from.

Off she shuffled to bed, a little bewildered; she thought she was being very smart.

And maybe she was.

Later, my husband and I marveled at how she came up with her little scheme.

And, was it really cheating to take out the cards that could BOTH advance you or send you back to the beginning? She was simply eliminating all potential risks. (There's got to be some sort of metaphor for life in here somewhere!)

Secretly, I guess we were a little impressed that she thought that far ahead.

Moral of the story? I guess it's what every gambler already knows.

Always count the cards in the deck.