a test drive

Our oldest child is finally at that age where he can learn to drive! I know! !t's crazy!

We took him to Huntigton North HS's empty parking lot and let him experience what it feels like to be behind the wheel. I hopped in the back seat and allowed David to be the instructor.

David starts by making sure Julian has his seat belt on. Ok, that's a good start. Right? Next, check your mirrors.

David, "can you see what's going on in them?"

Julian, "Yes."

David, "Where's the speedometer?" Julian points to the speedometer.

David, "Where's the odometer?" Julian points to something that is not the odometer. So then David corrects him and as he explains what it is he looks over at our mileage, and then checks to see if we need an oil change. He goes on and on about oil changes. "You can ruin a car if you don't keep up on oil changes," he says. Angel and I are in the back getting bored tuning out the lecture. We wanted some action.

After a few minutes I listen again. All of a sudden he's comparing driving to war!

Meanwhile, I am in the back seat needing to use the restroom thinking, "what does any of this have to do with a simple test drive?" Julian hadn't even started the car yet! Leave it to my husband, the philopspher, to go on about all kinds of discussions and thoughts during Julian's first driving lesson. I chimed in and asked if he could speed up the process. I really had to go!

We finally get to the turning the key part! So Julian starts the car. Puts it in DRIVE! And let's up on the brake, just to feel out the motion of the car. Now he's ready for pressing on the gas pedal and I am a bit nervous in the back. He's a bit jerky on the brakes and that made Angel nervous! Ah! My boy is driving! It seems like just yesterday he was wearing diapers! He looks like a baby behind the wheel!

I guess this could be good. I can start having him run errands for me. Do some grocery shopping maybe?

    Me- nervous in the backseat!