Setting out on an adventure

Wild walks by water. Original painting on paper, Lynne Cameron

In an effort to avoid tea-time, bath-time and bedtime tantrums, I decided to take the granddaughter out on ‘an adventure’ yesterday afternoon. I planned that our first adventure would be to take the car through a carwash. She sees a carwash on her cartoons and talks about them, so experiencing one seemed worth a try.

I learned a lot. That car washes are quite scary as the “big red brushes” come down and rumble all over the car. I held her leg as she sat in her car seat for reassurance – mine as much as hers. Luckily, only Bunny was scared, and N told him to be brave like her.

I learned that YOU NEVER QUITE KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN – THAT’S WHY IT’S AN ADVENTURE.

We had to buy a ticket first in the garage. The lady we bought it from was so taken with N that she gave her a little packet of cracker biscuits. A lesson in impromptu kindness from strangers. And a lifesaver for a hungry two and a half year old when the café I had planned to go to was closed. I’ll carry little packs of crackers with me now, just in case, and give some away to little children.

It was a huge experience, that car wash. She talked and talked about it. We made a picture of it and wrote a story about it. We happily retold the story of our shared adventure all the way through tea and bath and into bed.

exhausted after a previous adventure to see Santa

I’m now planning our next adventure, which may involve cows.

I learned that ADVENTURES HAPPEN ONCE YOU DECIDE TO LET THEM HAPPEN.

Also, take crackers and a raincoat.

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