And Sometimes, There Is a Time to Look Down

A few weeks ago, I wrote about times in your parental life when you just have to look up. Well, conversely, as a parent, there are times when you also need to look down.

Case in point, the return from our vacation in Hilton Head. the drive went relatively smoothly. That is, until we got about an hour from home. It is at that point that the skies opened up and let loose such a volatile rain that I was scared to speak lest I brake Jonathan's concentration on the road.

Of course, this didn't stop MRA from speaking (ASA had FINALLY fallen asleep, I think). MRA jibber jabbered on and on peppering me with questions about rain. Finally, I told him that because the rain was so heavy, we needed to be quite so that Daddy could concentrate on driving. To which he asked, "Why does he have to concentrate on driving?"
The rest of the conversation went something like this:

Me: "Because the rain is making the roads slippery and its very hard to see and we don't want to have an accident."

MRA: "No, Mama. That's not right. Tell me again."

Me: "MRA, I just told you the rain is making the road wet and when its wet its slippery. The rain is also making it hard to see. We have to be quite so Daddy can drive."

MRA (Beginning to melt down): "No Mama, that's not it. You tell me! YOU TELL ME NOW!"

ME: "I don't know what to tell you. Ask Daddy, if you want."

MRA: "No Mama. Now I'm mad at YOU!"

Daddy: "Bud, Mama just told you the rain makes it hard to drive. Its wet and slippery and the car could slide off the road. We need to be quiet so that I can concentrate."

MRA: "That's not right eider DADDY! Now I'm mad at boat of you!"

The only think we could do was look at each other. And with our lips quivering up into a smile, we both broke out laughing. To which MRA yelled, "STOP LAUGHING AT ME!"

And that my friends, is precisely when it is time to look down. Shoulders shaking with our silent laughter and all.