"Qutie Pies": The Car

It sounds like a movie title, and I think it should be one-like "The Thing" or "The Blob." When we talk about The Car at our house, there is no doubt which car we are speaking about- it doesn't need a name or definition around our house. Gramma and Grappa got Sammy his car as part of his birthday present when they were out visiting us in June. I knew we were in trouble after a major melt down ensued when I asked him to come inside and eat his lunch. He could not part with the car for 5 seconds, let alone the time it would take him to wolf down a hot dog and some apple slices. Needless to say, Mommy was unwilling to spend hours upon hours outside in the 90 degree heat while Sammy played in his car, so we brought it in the house, and this is where it has stayed. At first the car was more frustrating than fun for Sam because he only wanted to drive it in "reverse" and "beep it up" (which would be back it up for the rest of the world out there). It turns out, that driving in reverse presents a number of challenges for a toddler (and the average adult) that all result in whining, crying, and just plain bad behavior.

Daddy and I feared that this new toy might have to make it's way back to the toy store as tears, screaming, and whining were all a result of this new car. The car also saw it's fair share of "time outs" in the garage because well, frankly, the kid had to eat and take naps, and sleep. Sammy had never had a reaction like this to a new toy. We were at a loss, and did not expect this sort of attachment at all considering he played with the exact same type of toy car at school all of the time-and NEVER mentioned it before.

I could go on and on and ON about The Car, but I will just say after a week or so passed, the novelty of the car finally wore off. It would take over a month though before we could have a family meal with out the car parked at the dinner table next to Sam's chair. He still get's frustrated sometimes when he tries to "slam" the door so it makes a loud noise, just like a real car door, or he can't fit ALL of his other toys in the car with him, but for the most part, it has turned out not to be such a bad toy after all. Maybe next summer, it will make it outside of the house.