I've been pushed out of the driver's seat. Once upon a time, the only time I rode shotgun was when Tom drove. I haven't actually driven a car for three days now--because Karianne has her learner's permit.
She's a good driver so far. A little nervous when other cars are around, but she's done splendidly. I appreciate that she is very careful, and takes the responsibility of wielding a 2000 lb weapon seriously.
In order to be ready to get her license next spring, she must complete 40 hours of driving practice; 30 daylight, and 10 at night. Tonight was our first adventure after dark. She was scared at first, but after half an hour of tooling up and down the roads, she was grinning ear to ear. I hope she'll be able to calm down and go to sleep at a decent hour.
It's a lot of fun for me to watch her practice this highly anticipated skill. It reminds me of the summer ten years ago when she learned to ride a bike. It was scary too, and she was so tense that she got a stomach ache. But after a couple of times around the school parking lot, that same wide grin spread across her face, and she called out joyfully as she whizzed by, "This is the funnest thing I have ever done!"
I think those were her exact thoughts tonight.
It is such an exciting time for her and i think that it is wonderful. It is amazing to think that she is almost 16...these kids grow up too fast. keep up the good work as shotgun...it is a big responsibility :)
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