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.

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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