Mario and Luigi

9 September 2011

We walk to school and the tune from Super Mario Bros takes over my brain.

Goombas: We're dodging four-inch high-heeled women connected to small dogs crossing streets, muffler-less motorcycles driven by helmet-less drivers, gangly roots, and random cement blocks. The simple act of walking without tripping or getting sucked into the street after a bus blows past is a challenge.

Coins: We make it to the next corner safely. We see a lizard on the fence. We smile at each other in the arcade, "we made it this far!" One thing is for certain: we are never bored and this is a reward in itself.

Alex and Eleni constantly find worthy coins on our walk, but I'm a Goomba in their way, "it's dirty (Eleni loves pretty gum, cigarette, candy, you-name-it wrappers)!" or "we can't take a _____ (bamboo tree was the most recent request) home with us!" or "keep your wits about you!"

"Mom, what is a wit?"

Twenty minutes and we've made it to school. Goodbye Mario and Luigi. They are on to their next level and for me, without them, the song in my head ends. We'll play the video game some more when I retrieve them eight hours later and then we'll return home and Princess Peach will be safe.

Our first week of school was far better than our first day. Here they are on their first day (in the AM). I did not take a photo when they were in the fetal position later...

Neil chalked our ups and downs to post Santa Rosa depression - if only it were that simple! But really, I think the whole going back to school AND starting a new school concepts are hard for any child in any country. We'll get through it. Every day gets better.

After all, every day we are more masterful at stomping on the Goombas...