"Red means stop and Green means go, right mom?"

And then there is, 'Wow mom, there sure is a lot of traffic around here.' Or 'Watch out mom, there are cars behind us, we have to be safe, right mom?' Isn't driving with a toddler fun?? :o) My husband was unaware of this new development, our 3.5 year old back seat driver. He was driving along and suddenly it happens, she hollars from the 3rd row of the van, 'You have to stop dad, the light is RED!!' She was very dramatic! He replied with 'I know', as he looked at me in confusion. I said, she knows about red/green lights now. I said, 'You need to tell her, red means stop so she will know you understand, for future lights.' So he did!

The problem is, she usually says this when we are 1/2 a mile away from the light or other cars and she doesn't understand why we continue to drive up to the light. This has been an unexpected burst of excitement to the afternoons out! So, if you are ever a passenger in our van, be prepared for the sudden warnings regarding traffic signals. Now, my son is starting to do the same! :o) What fun!

So, if you are newly married or single, hear me now! GO PLACES, anywhere as long as it is out! Do it for those of us with kids. A run to the store, drive somewhere for me and while you are listening to whatever you like or sitting in silence or talking on the phone (without interruptions), think of me. I have constant chatter in the car, while I am on the phone, at the store, at McD's, at the park,.. it doesn't stop! I am not the only one, it is called parenting - no wonder we lose our memory, we are constantly be barraged with noise, sounds, cries or worse yet - quiet kids playing together to only find they are drawing on the walls! Enjoy it my friends, enjoy it! :o)

We LOVE being parents, nothing like it whatsoever! We just occasionally long for a trip to the store where we do not have to constantly call our kids names and warn them to be quiet or be still! But it is worth it, one day (not long from now) I will miss the chatter! I know, it is a season! Some days this season is fun and some days this season feels eternal!