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.)]
