The Confused Neuron

Tonight Braeden and I got a little Wii time in before bedtime.  Did we play one of the new Wii games we got for Christmas?  Nope. We played 1988’s Super Mario Bros 3.  Vintage Mario Bros with Warp Whistles, and Raccoons galore.  Now, there is something to be said for the latest offerings of the video game world, but for a time say, 22 years ago, Mario Bros 3 was what it was about.  I remembered bugging my Mom with no end until we got to Toys ‘R Us to grab the little tag for the game and take it to the window where they exchanged it for the game itself.  Of course, what did I do when I got home?  I opened it and got out the instruction booklet and read it.  Yes, I read the instruction book.  Not because I didn’t know how to play but because I wanted to know what the names of all the new baddies were and what new power ups were in the game and of course I was pleasantly surprised.  My sister and I played that game until we had beaten it, and then we played it some more.

With the ability to download various classic NES titles for the Wii now, we’ve been able to enjoy playing our favorites again plus introduce them to the next generation.  Brae wanted to play Wii tonight and he decided to pick an old school Mario game, so I was more than happy to go along since I find the New Super Mario Bros Wii game INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING for a couple reasons I’ll list in another post.  Anyway, we started out doing very well.  Went through the first few levels in world 1, picked up a couple warp whistles and went off to Giant World (World 4).   Breezed through the first two levels and then…..World 4-3.  The one where you’re introduced to the giant Hammer Brothers.  You remember.  The ones that shake the ground when they land rendering you immobile for a few seconds?  Yeah.  Couldn’t beat that world for a solid half hour.  I was ready to rip my hair out!  We seriously spent at least 25 lives combined trying to get past this level.  See, if I were 7 years old again, I would have aced that level in the second try.  Not any more though.  Apparently my 2D left-right scrolling game skills are on the rapid decline.  It made for a fun hour though.  At one point Brae gave me his controller and said “WILL YOU PLEASE BEAT THIS LEVEL!” and I STILL couldn’t do it.  It wasn’t until Christy came downstairs after putting Finn to sleep and Brae asked her to help me out that I actually beat the level.  There’s no way I’d let her look like she’s the better Mario Bros player!  Even after beating that level, we were running out of time before Brae had to go upstairs, so I used my second warp whistle to take us to World 7, Pipe World where Brae discovered those little white chomper plants will indeed kill you if you land on them.  We got to level 7-2 but then it was bed time.  Perhaps we’ll pick it up again later this week.

Super Mario Bros 3 is probably my favorite of all the SMB games specifically because of all the creative power ups they threw in the game, the Tanooki Suit that for some reason turned you into a stone statue, Frog Suit, Hammer Bros Suit, and the boot.  Who can forget the boot that allowed you to hop really high and stomp on your enemies?  Just thought I’d share that 22 years later, Super Mario Brothers is still providing tons of fun.  Even for a 6 year old and a soon to be 29 year old.  =)

And FYI:  A graphic of all the power ups Mario, Luigi & Crew have benefited from over the years:

Finnegan’s first Thanksgiving has come and gone.  We made the rounds to both Christy’s family and my family and Finn and Brae handled it very well.  Finn got a half hour cat nap in there while we were at Christy’s grandparents so he got a little recharge.  He was his usual charming self for everyone who wanted to talk to him and hold him.  He’s just an amazing baby!

Braeden was his usual energetic self.  He had his cousins Jack, Tristan and Isabella to keep him busy at the Willey’s.  Running around like little crazy people.  We were also treated to performances on the organ from all of them.  Later, Brae got a piano lesson from Kevin where he learned how to play part of the Peanuts theme.  Hehe.

Finn also tried to crawl for everyone at the Irish’s.  He managed to flop forward a couple of times but it definitely won’t be long until he’s motoring all around trying to keep up with his big brother.  Both boys managed to down two dinners!  Finnegan loves his sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing and turkey.  And today we found out he also likes pumpkin pie.  THAT’S MY BOY.  =o)

Yesterday we decorated the house for Christmas.  The tree is up and there are lights and snowmen, snowflakes, and all sorts of other decorations about.  During the decorating process we continued the tradition of watching Christmas Vacation a few times.  That movie is such a classic.  I’m sure that Finnegan will be well acquainted with that movie by the time he’s Braeden’s age.

Anyway, I’m looking forward to a very exciting Christmas season for the boys.  Especially Finnegan’s first!

Pictures from our Thanksgiving adventures can be found on Christy’s Flickr page.

I was woken up this morning by shouts of “HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!” and Christy, Brae and Finn plopping down on the bed next to me with hands full of gifts.  A nice way to be greeted in the morning!  I’ll tell you it’s a great feeling.   So, in my reusable WalMart shopping bag, Brae gave me a new picture of him framed in different colored popsicle sticks, all colors chosen by him of course, a coffee mug with his handprints on it and his name (which I used this morning for my coffee), a “Weather Rock” which is exactly what it sounds like.  It was painted by Braeden himself and came with instructions on how to use it.  Hang it outside and…if it’s wet, it’s raining, if it’s white it’s snowing, if it’s moving, it’s windy, if it’s warm it’s sunny outside and if it’s missing, you’ve been ripped off.  Now is that perfect for my sense of humor or what?  Brae (and his Gram) know me quite well.  I also got a homemade Father’s Day card from Brae with Superman on the front and inside it says “You’re my superhero”.  That’s going on the wall. =o)

From Christy and Brae I got three tickets to the Rascal Flatts concert in September!  How awesome is that?  Finn will be one day shy of 4 months old then and if he’s feeling up to it, he’ll be joining us on the lawn for the show.  I totally didn’t expect to get concert tickets for Father’s Day.  It was a complete surprise and I’m already looking forward to it.  I wasn’t planning on going to any concerts anytime soon since Finn is here but we’ll see how it goes in a few months.  I think it’ll be a lot of fun for us.  I also received the movie “Defiance” with Daniel Craig.  It looks really cool, I’ll have to figure out when to watch it.  Hmm…also got a pack of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and a baggie full of candy.  Just my style.

So, so far it’s been a great Father’s Day weekend for me.  Just hanging out with no plans really other than making the rounds to visit all the Dad’s and Granddad’s which we’ll be doing shortly.  Happy Father’s Day to all.

Both boys are growing like weeds.  Finnegan is probably at 10 pounds already.  He’s begun not fitting into the newborn size diapers already and we’re going to have to go a size up now.  He’s eating like … well he’s got an appetite that beats out any one of us, that’s for sure.  He’s like clockwork every two hours and you can tell if he’s late in eating because his belly starts rumbling like a freight train going by.

Brae’s in the “I’m clumsy and tripping over the floor” stage as he’s getting taller.  It’s almost like his legs are moving faster than he thinks they are.  He’ll get up and start walking and trip over the carpet or he’ll be walking in a straight line and suddenly one of his legs will hit the pack’n'play on the floor.  I’m sure it’ll get worse.  We’ll just have to have plenty of band-aids and ice packs on hand.

Finnegan seems to have trouble pooing lately.  He gets very uncomfortable when he has to go (hey, who doesn’t?) and then really struggles to fire away.  We usually have to get him on the floor and work his legs like he’s peddling a bicycle to help him go and that usually works.  He’s also learned where his thumb is on his hands.  He has not, however, mastered the art of getting it in his mouth.  Usually he’ll end up trying to eat his fist or another part of his arm, did I mention he gave himself a little blood blister on his arm because of how hard he chomped down on it?  I fear this guy when he starts sprouting teeth.  Right now he’s swinging in his little swing making random noises.  He’s dressed in his moo-cow onesie and appears content with rocking back and forth.

Christy’s been amazing.  I don’t really know how she can do all she does running on practically no sleep.  I am getting more sleep than she is and I feel delirious at times, I can’t imagine how she feels.