Friday, September 5, 2008

My Pedal Pusher

There was a morning recently that started like this.

The fog hung heavily and I ached to crawl back under the covers and enjoy the darkened skies with some extra sleep. But, these are the days of young children and sleeping in is a distant memory.
We started the day slow and somewhat quiet, a tone set by the fog I guess.

Before we knew it though, the fog had burned off and we had crisp blue skies and bright sunshine.
For days, Austin had been asking to drive his jeep. It was a moderately strange request since he had yet to master driving it, and usually would just end up frustrated. I guess he must have been contemplating his future success.
So, right before lunch I convinced my husband to take him out and let him give it a try. In the past, he wasn't able to understand that the gas pedal had to be steadily pushed. He would tap the pedal like it was an on switch and the jeep would lurch forward and come to an abrupt stop. This would go on for several minutes and then he would give up. If older neighborhood kids were outside we would sometimes have one of them sit in the passenger seat and push the gas pedal while Austin drove.
Like I said before, it was as if he had been thinking about it and knew exactly what he needed to do to finally be successful. He hopped in the jeep, let Daddy strap on his seatbelt and he was off. Success!!!
He was so proud of himself. Fortunately, we live in a cul-de-sac so he had plenty of room to drive around. His steering isn't perfect yet, but that certainly wasn't getting him down.


Sunshine, success, and pure joy... the makings of a beautiful day!


PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

29 comments:

Chris said...

I guess driving a jeep is kind of like potty training -- one day they just get it.
That was kind of a weird thing to say, wasn't it?
Anyway, that picture of the fog is cool. I love foggy days.

tiarastantrums said...

awesome - he looks like he's having a blast!! My son took forver to figure out how to drive as well! He was crashing into everything.

Can't believe how foggy the day started! It rained here ALLL day - I have been so sleepy today!

Amanda @ notsoextraordinary said...

i always wanted one of those when i was little!

Sharon said...

Cute pictures and cute kid! I wish I had learned to drive so fast.

Tyne said...

How cute he is in that little jeep, and a beautiful fog picture..

Cecily R said...

Now all he needs is a cute chick to drive around with him!!

Once Isaac finally figured out his, he was a driving fool, and I loved watching him have so much fun.

LOVE LOVE the pictures you caught. They look like pure joy.

Melissa said...

I love the collage of pictures. We have a John Deere gator that our kids love and my poor daughter can't seem to figure out how to do anything but go in circles. Crazy women drivers!

Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander said...

Love the foggy photo and the montage is great too! He's so cute!

Shellie said...

Looks like a very fun day!

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

So fun! What a different day it turned out to be.

Unknown said...

Congrats, Austin!!!

scrappysue said...

his t-shirt goes so well with his wheels!!! great mosaic and thanks for stopping by

Laura said...

He is SO cute! What a FUN toy!!

Wendy said...

What an accomplishment. You are doing so much to create positive messages for you young boy. I love the action pictures.
See my blog on Saturday as it is an encouraging word for all women who blog.

Mom24 said...

Wow! He's so young for that. What coordination. Very cute pictures.

tommie said...

Oh the Jeepin' and the Power Wheels...loads of fun are in store. Just make sure you charge that battery. Nothing sadder than seeing a sad kid because "my car no-go, Mommy!"

Thanks for visiting my story. happy weekend!

Robyn said...

Go Austin Go. That looks like he is having a blast!

Mandy said...

I woke up to a foggy day just as the one you had on your post and I had a VERY DIFFICULT time getting up and getting the kids ready for school. They too struggled and I so wanted to say oh forget it and go back to bed but I didn't give into temptation...barely. :-)

Storytellin' Mama said...

So adorable, I remember when my son tried a jeep at a friends and he floored the gas pedal but paid absolutely no attention to steering!!

Great photo collage!!

Leanne said...

It's a toss up. I love the first picture because, well becuase it's beautiful.
The last one got me because of his smile....

Carol said...

Oh bless him. It is such a breakthrough when they finally 'get' how to do stuff like that.

My two year old is still in the lurch forward and then wail with frustration stage.

Amanda D said...

Great pictures! Love the happiness in his face driving his jeep. I love mornings where the fog hangs heavy and it clears up to a beautiful day!

Claremont First Ward said...

Oh how exciting for him......he looks like he is having so much fun. How do you had blogs as one that you follow? I noticed that you've added a few.....

carrhop said...

This is so great! The fog picture is gorgeous--but can't compare to your awesome mosaic of Austin--he is SO cute!!!!

Glad you liked the pic of 3/8 and 7--he is such a great big brother!

Hope you have a great weekend!
Blessings!

Laural Out Loud said...

Awesome! Don't you love it when you see the lightbulb go off in your child's head. And how your heart swells when your child is proud of themselves for accomplishing something new!

Tabitha said...

The picture at the top of your blog is awesome. For a second I thought it was stock photography, but...it's you!!! Very cool picture - thanks for sharing - you look so happy!

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

Looks like he had a great time!

Unknown said...

I want a jeep that color! How cute! Glad your fog lifted but such a neat shot!

Wendi said...

I guess that is what happens when the fog lifts!
Great shots Susan.