Taught the kids how to play canasta and hearts this past weekend when Pop was visiting. A just turned 10 and Q is almost 8. They only need showing once. Poor Q couldn't get to sleep last night and was in fact sobbing in my arms over a perceived stumble in a round of canasta with his brother and me. I had mentioned that it was possible to go out with a "concealed hand". Being the little risk taker he is he decided to go for it. Unfortunately it just barely didn't go his way (he actually could have gone out but overlooked an Ace he picked up). He was reliving the horror apparently. In the middle of the night he came running down the hall after another "bad dream". Card related no doubt. Today things have gone much more his way. He is remarkably astute with strategy - when to play tempting cards for discard and when to avoid giving away the pile at all costs. Big brother is fully competitive too. I'm impressed that they both grasped the basics of both card games including following suits in hearts and keeping track of points needed etc in canasta. They are wondering when we will teach them bridge... Today it has been all cards to the detriment of getting their homework done. I was impressed with their card sense and also surprised at the depth of Q's feelings when he realized he had made a blunder (and not a big one at that!).