Keira was a toddler when Adam returned from the USA after a work-trip, brandishing Leapad Leapfrog paraphernalia. Keira, even then, had perfected the one-shouldered shrug, clearly conveying her feelings about the present: an astounding, “Meh.”
My son, on the other hand, sometimes wakes up in the morning and seeks out his little computer-friend and I am re-discovering (in some cases just discovering) the fun these can contain.
Like this little game. In 45 seconds you need to identify as many states as you can.
I only (I swear) discovered this game existed on Christmas Eve, so when my family did rock up to eat, I was sitting on the floor, cross-legged, without anything prepared or cooking, because I had to set a score my sister could not possibly hope to beat (14).
Naturally, because she is such a competitor, she had to beat this score and wrestled the computer out of my hands while I – begrudgingly – went and did my hostess duties.
Then – when she did beat my score (15) – my friends, as they say, it was on.
Dessert be damned, I had to beat her! Keira was watching this spectacle quizzically. It was like, “Hang on, isn’t this MY game? MY game which THEY’RE having fun with? This can’t be right. I must investigate.”
Then – THEN – she holds out her hand. “I want a try.”
“Did you say please?”
“No.”
“Then you can wait five more minutes.*”
And so -eventually – we let her punch the states, learning them as she went (So cute – her favourite state is Louisiana, apparently), but only for so long!
Mum had to get her gaming on. [Look, poor old Mississippi has nearly had a hole worn through the middle! I poke hard, oh yes I do.]
Then I beat the record (16) and it was time for my sister to go home. And she was most vexed.
Until she came back the following day and equalled me.
The best part is my sister has now left and have that game all to myself and have all the time in the world to achieve a score that no-one else could ever possibly hope to beat!
*insert evil laugh*
[*I'm not this cruel. (Usually.)]
6:58 am
Oh boy…
You are so like me….
Nothing like being obsessive about a stupid game. Two years ago we bought a computer game called Blast Through. It only has MY name on the whole page of top scores. None of the kids can get anywhere near even the least of my scores. I am the legend of Blast Through and my name will live forever!!!!
(I call that summer the lost one…..)
Frogdancer’s last blog post..100 posts already?
8:38 am
I must point out that I set the score of 16 first, and only when it was equalled by my competitor (who denied that she was being competitive) did my competitor retire.
8:42 am
Hmm….your word against mine, Shelly
8:43 am
Frogdancer – yay for you, legend of Blast Through
!!
11:57 am
Congrats! You and your sister did better than I probably would. I’m that stereotypical American, insomuch as I’m not good with national geography. Strangely enough, though, I’m better with global geography. I have no idea why, though.
1:24 pm
Well, I have witnesses I can call upon…
I wonder how many other siblings out there have a competitive sister/brother who never let them win at chess, or never let them hold their high score of Peggle for longer than a day…
5:14 pm
LOL I’m the same with my daughter on the Bubble Breaker game on her PDA.
Currently I am reigning champion! But she’s getting close…
Jayne’s last blog post..News Bites
10:14 am
LOL! You gave me a good belly laugh this morning. Just imagining two grown women ousting each other on the States of America on a kids computer game.
You go girl!
Tiffany’s last blog post..Shameless cranky.
10:16 am
Haha I can just imagine! Keira is probably more into the game now – sometimes you need to see someone else hogging it and having a great time and you’ll realise just how cool it is!
Katie’s last blog post..Christmas Season is Officially Over!
1:28 pm
Very funny
I can appreciate this since right now I have the top score in the house for Nintendo Wii bowling (and yes, I’m competing against my four children, ages 11, 7, 5, and 3). I did beat my 38 year old husband who has sworn vengeance.
It’s funny how the little things can bring out the killer instinct.
Thanks for sharing,
Melissa
Melissa’s last blog post..Trey’s Cochlear Implant has vanished into a black hole….
7:10 am
That’s hysterical! But I can relate.
THANKS for participating in the Carnival of Family Life,
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The Carnival will be live on Monday, January 14, 2008, so be sure to stop by and peruse all the excellent submissions included this week!
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