Last week, I got to spend a few days at one of my favorite summertime destinations and, would you believe, it is NOT Disney?
My family has never been, actually.
Nope, in fact, I was happy for the opportunity to write about my favorite vacation spot, here in Jersey (is, too!!!)
Still, leaving home, without my kids, is always hard.
However, I did not expect my youngest daughter to cry and hug me, as hard, as she did, or to make my son feel as if I were never coming back home, ever again.
Then, about halfway into the 2+ hour car ride it dawned me.
"Hi mom, we need the password for Netflix."
My kids were sad, beeeeeecause, they weren't allowed to, you know, come with me and, well, the fact that they probably would be fine, without me (for the next few days, at least) just made my time away from home a little easier.
Then, I came home, gave them each their presents (don't judge) and we ALL settled in to catch up on Season 2 of Glee (thank you, Netflix) when it hit.
"Mom, we need to practice parallel parking!!!"
A wave of nausea, when realizing that my oldest daughter is taking her driving test on Tuesday and…for those of you who have been reading along…for the last 8 years (you know who you are!) and my many new friends I've met over the internets…I hope you understand when I repeat this, all in UPPERCASE:
HOLLY WILL (or will not) BE ISSUED A NEW JERSEY DRIVER'S LICENSE, TOMORROW!!!
Oh and, one more thing:
HOW IN THE H…E…DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS DID THAT HAPPEN, ANYWAY?!?!?
[takes deep breath]
So, Garth (not his real name) and I traded cars, since she'll be road-testing in it, anyway.
Also, the hand break is in the center console, where instructor can reach it, if need be, but I hope not, still, you never know, it is supposed to rain, like buckets, okay, pour actually, ugh, moving on.
Late this afternoon, Holly and I headed over to the high school and, seeing as I grew up about 25 minutes outside of New York City, while my husband grew up with head on parking (ONLY!) I instructed my 17 year-old in the fine art of parallel parking.
Phase 1: wasn't very successful and I suspected it was because the poor kid couldn't see the back of the first pretend car.
"This is no use, Mom, I can't see the garbage can in the front!"
See, I told you, because, I'm smart like that.
Phase 2: I found the pair of slippers, from Christmas, that don't fit Garth (not his real name) in the trunk, so I balanced it right on top of an empty box of garbage bags and, viola!!!
Almost, not quite, but I just stood there, taking pictures, all quiet like (which is very, very hard for a Hungarian, just so you know) and let Holly get a feel for her.
Well, seems like she's ready and close enough to the curb for Mr. or Ms. DMV Instructor, even, right?
"I'm gonna pass this suh-cuh!"
Yep, to me, it sounds like she's more than ready to drive, in Jersey!
"Even if you don't, no biggie!"
Seriously, we live in Jersey, either way, she parks like her muh-thuh.
"Can I blog this?"
So, you know, I could remember what in the h…e…double hockey sticks I did…for the next 3 times, I mean.
"Can you believe that Hope's turning double-digits this week, too, Mom?"
Because, you know, they don't stay little for long…DAGNABIT!!!!
UPDATED TO ADD: She passed. I did NOT puke. Aaaaand, now it starts…
© 2003 – 2011 This Full House
Comments
80 responses to “Maybe This Time, She’ll Stay…Parked.”
Can’t you bind their feet or something, to keep them from growing up? I think I read that works…okay, maybe not.
Best of luck to Holly: I’m sure she’ll pass that suh-cuh!!! And then she can be “Driving Miss Snooki”. 🙂
Can’t you bind their feet or something, to keep them from growing up? I think I read that works…okay, maybe not.
Best of luck to Holly: I’m sure she’ll pass that suh-cuh!!! And then she can be “Driving Miss Snooki”. 🙂
Can’t you bind their feet or something, to keep them from growing up? I think I read that works…okay, maybe not.
Best of luck to Holly: I’m sure she’ll pass that suh-cuh!!! And then she can be “Driving Miss Snooki”. 🙂
Can’t you bind their feet or something, to keep them from growing up? I think I read that works…okay, maybe not.
Best of luck to Holly: I’m sure she’ll pass that suh-cuh!!! And then she can be “Driving Miss Snooki”. 🙂
Can’t you bind their feet or something, to keep them from growing up? I think I read that works…okay, maybe not.
Best of luck to Holly: I’m sure she’ll pass that suh-cuh!!! And then she can be “Driving Miss Snooki”. 🙂
Can’t you bind their feet or something, to keep them from growing up? I think I read that works…okay, maybe not.
Best of luck to Holly: I’m sure she’ll pass that suh-cuh!!! And then she can be “Driving Miss Snooki”. 🙂
Can’t you bind their feet or something, to keep them from growing up? I think I read that works…okay, maybe not.
Best of luck to Holly: I’m sure she’ll pass that suh-cuh!!! And then she can be “Driving Miss Snooki”. 🙂
Can’t you bind their feet or something, to keep them from growing up? I think I read that works…okay, maybe not.
Best of luck to Holly: I’m sure she’ll pass that suh-cuh!!! And then she can be “Driving Miss Snooki”. 🙂
Good luck to Holly and try not to wear out the ‘mommy brake.’ I still get all white-knuckled riding with my kids.
Good luck to Holly and try not to wear out the ‘mommy brake.’ I still get all white-knuckled riding with my kids.
Good luck to Holly and try not to wear out the ‘mommy brake.’ I still get all white-knuckled riding with my kids.
Good luck to Holly and try not to wear out the ‘mommy brake.’ I still get all white-knuckled riding with my kids.
Good luck to Holly and try not to wear out the ‘mommy brake.’ I still get all white-knuckled riding with my kids.
Good luck to Holly and try not to wear out the ‘mommy brake.’ I still get all white-knuckled riding with my kids.
Good luck to Holly and try not to wear out the ‘mommy brake.’ I still get all white-knuckled riding with my kids.
Good luck to Holly and try not to wear out the ‘mommy brake.’ I still get all white-knuckled riding with my kids.
Scary. I taught both of my sisters how to parallel park. They caught on alright… Teaching them to drive a stick was a whole new issue.
Scary. I taught both of my sisters how to parallel park. They caught on alright… Teaching them to drive a stick was a whole new issue.
Scary. I taught both of my sisters how to parallel park. They caught on alright… Teaching them to drive a stick was a whole new issue.
Scary. I taught both of my sisters how to parallel park. They caught on alright… Teaching them to drive a stick was a whole new issue.
Scary. I taught both of my sisters how to parallel park. They caught on alright… Teaching them to drive a stick was a whole new issue.
Scary. I taught both of my sisters how to parallel park. They caught on alright… Teaching them to drive a stick was a whole new issue.
Scary. I taught both of my sisters how to parallel park. They caught on alright… Teaching them to drive a stick was a whole new issue.
Scary. I taught both of my sisters how to parallel park. They caught on alright… Teaching them to drive a stick was a whole new issue.
Good luck today Holly!!!!
My kids laugh at my parallel parking skills. If the stars are aligned I rock at it, but I have also been known to bail mid parking and drive around until I find an easier place to park.
I’m sending my kids to you in Joisey when they need to learn how to drive.
Good luck today Holly!!!!
My kids laugh at my parallel parking skills. If the stars are aligned I rock at it, but I have also been known to bail mid parking and drive around until I find an easier place to park.
I’m sending my kids to you in Joisey when they need to learn how to drive.
Good luck today Holly!!!!
My kids laugh at my parallel parking skills. If the stars are aligned I rock at it, but I have also been known to bail mid parking and drive around until I find an easier place to park.
I’m sending my kids to you in Joisey when they need to learn how to drive.
Good luck today Holly!!!!
My kids laugh at my parallel parking skills. If the stars are aligned I rock at it, but I have also been known to bail mid parking and drive around until I find an easier place to park.
I’m sending my kids to you in Joisey when they need to learn how to drive.
Good luck today Holly!!!!
My kids laugh at my parallel parking skills. If the stars are aligned I rock at it, but I have also been known to bail mid parking and drive around until I find an easier place to park.
I’m sending my kids to you in Joisey when they need to learn how to drive.
Good luck today Holly!!!!
My kids laugh at my parallel parking skills. If the stars are aligned I rock at it, but I have also been known to bail mid parking and drive around until I find an easier place to park.
I’m sending my kids to you in Joisey when they need to learn how to drive.
Good luck today Holly!!!!
My kids laugh at my parallel parking skills. If the stars are aligned I rock at it, but I have also been known to bail mid parking and drive around until I find an easier place to park.
I’m sending my kids to you in Joisey when they need to learn how to drive.
Good luck today Holly!!!!
My kids laugh at my parallel parking skills. If the stars are aligned I rock at it, but I have also been known to bail mid parking and drive around until I find an easier place to park.
I’m sending my kids to you in Joisey when they need to learn how to drive.
Hi Kristin — yeah, I can't drive stick (shhhhh, but don't tell anyone okay?)
Hugs,
Liz
Hi Kristin — yeah, I can't drive stick (shhhhh, but don't tell anyone okay?)
Hugs,
Liz
Hi Kristin — yeah, I can't drive stick (shhhhh, but don't tell anyone okay?)
Hugs,
Liz
Hi Kristin — yeah, I can't drive stick (shhhhh, but don't tell anyone okay?)
Hugs,
Liz
Hi Kristin — yeah, I can't drive stick (shhhhh, but don't tell anyone okay?)
Hugs,
Liz
Hi Kristin — yeah, I can't drive stick (shhhhh, but don't tell anyone okay?)
Hugs,
Liz
Hi Kristin — yeah, I can't drive stick (shhhhh, but don't tell anyone okay?)
Hugs,
Liz
Hi Kristin — yeah, I can't drive stick (shhhhh, but don't tell anyone okay?)
Hugs,
Liz
Hah, the "mommy brake" will forever be engaged, I think 🙂
Hah, the "mommy brake" will forever be engaged, I think 🙂
Hah, the "mommy brake" will forever be engaged, I think 🙂
Hah, the "mommy brake" will forever be engaged, I think 🙂
Hah, the "mommy brake" will forever be engaged, I think 🙂
Hah, the "mommy brake" will forever be engaged, I think 🙂
Hah, the "mommy brake" will forever be engaged, I think 🙂
Hah, the "mommy brake" will forever be engaged, I think 🙂
As long as you come along for the ride, Sue, you’ve got a deal!!!
As long as you come along for the ride, Sue, you’ve got a deal!!!
As long as you come along for the ride, Sue, you’ve got a deal!!!
As long as you come along for the ride, Sue, you’ve got a deal!!!
As long as you come along for the ride, Sue, you’ve got a deal!!!
As long as you come along for the ride, Sue, you’ve got a deal!!!
As long as you come along for the ride, Sue, you’ve got a deal!!!
As long as you come along for the ride, Sue, you’ve got a deal!!!
So how’d she do? Do we have another licensed Jersey driver yet????
So how’d she do? Do we have another licensed Jersey driver yet????
So how’d she do? Do we have another licensed Jersey driver yet????
So how’d she do? Do we have another licensed Jersey driver yet????
So how’d she do? Do we have another licensed Jersey driver yet????
So how’d she do? Do we have another licensed Jersey driver yet????
So how’d she do? Do we have another licensed Jersey driver yet????
So how’d she do? Do we have another licensed Jersey driver yet????
I hope Holly got her driver’s license!
As for parallel parking, I stink at it. It takes me forever, and I’ve been driving for many years. Your photos look good though!
The Oldest has been driving for almost four years. I use the ‘Mommy Brake’ less than I did when she first got her license, but there are days . . . Sometimes I look down, other times I read a book when she’s driving. BTW, she asked when she was 8! how old you had to be to get your license. I should have known . . .
The Youngest hasn’t expressed an interest in learning how to drive, even though she’s 17. I’m not rushing her either. 🙂
I hope Holly got her driver’s license!
As for parallel parking, I stink at it. It takes me forever, and I’ve been driving for many years. Your photos look good though!
The Oldest has been driving for almost four years. I use the ‘Mommy Brake’ less than I did when she first got her license, but there are days . . . Sometimes I look down, other times I read a book when she’s driving. BTW, she asked when she was 8! how old you had to be to get your license. I should have known . . .
The Youngest hasn’t expressed an interest in learning how to drive, even though she’s 17. I’m not rushing her either. 🙂
I hope Holly got her driver’s license!
As for parallel parking, I stink at it. It takes me forever, and I’ve been driving for many years. Your photos look good though!
The Oldest has been driving for almost four years. I use the ‘Mommy Brake’ less than I did when she first got her license, but there are days . . . Sometimes I look down, other times I read a book when she’s driving. BTW, she asked when she was 8! how old you had to be to get your license. I should have known . . .
The Youngest hasn’t expressed an interest in learning how to drive, even though she’s 17. I’m not rushing her either. 🙂
I hope Holly got her driver’s license!
As for parallel parking, I stink at it. It takes me forever, and I’ve been driving for many years. Your photos look good though!
The Oldest has been driving for almost four years. I use the ‘Mommy Brake’ less than I did when she first got her license, but there are days . . . Sometimes I look down, other times I read a book when she’s driving. BTW, she asked when she was 8! how old you had to be to get your license. I should have known . . .
The Youngest hasn’t expressed an interest in learning how to drive, even though she’s 17. I’m not rushing her either. 🙂
I hope Holly got her driver’s license!
As for parallel parking, I stink at it. It takes me forever, and I’ve been driving for many years. Your photos look good though!
The Oldest has been driving for almost four years. I use the ‘Mommy Brake’ less than I did when she first got her license, but there are days . . . Sometimes I look down, other times I read a book when she’s driving. BTW, she asked when she was 8! how old you had to be to get your license. I should have known . . .
The Youngest hasn’t expressed an interest in learning how to drive, even though she’s 17. I’m not rushing her either. 🙂
I hope Holly got her driver’s license!
As for parallel parking, I stink at it. It takes me forever, and I’ve been driving for many years. Your photos look good though!
The Oldest has been driving for almost four years. I use the ‘Mommy Brake’ less than I did when she first got her license, but there are days . . . Sometimes I look down, other times I read a book when she’s driving. BTW, she asked when she was 8! how old you had to be to get your license. I should have known . . .
The Youngest hasn’t expressed an interest in learning how to drive, even though she’s 17. I’m not rushing her either. 🙂
I hope Holly got her driver’s license!
As for parallel parking, I stink at it. It takes me forever, and I’ve been driving for many years. Your photos look good though!
The Oldest has been driving for almost four years. I use the ‘Mommy Brake’ less than I did when she first got her license, but there are days . . . Sometimes I look down, other times I read a book when she’s driving. BTW, she asked when she was 8! how old you had to be to get your license. I should have known . . .
The Youngest hasn’t expressed an interest in learning how to drive, even though she’s 17. I’m not rushing her either. 🙂
I hope Holly got her driver’s license!
As for parallel parking, I stink at it. It takes me forever, and I’ve been driving for many years. Your photos look good though!
The Oldest has been driving for almost four years. I use the ‘Mommy Brake’ less than I did when she first got her license, but there are days . . . Sometimes I look down, other times I read a book when she’s driving. BTW, she asked when she was 8! how old you had to be to get your license. I should have known . . .
The Youngest hasn’t expressed an interest in learning how to drive, even though she’s 17. I’m not rushing her either. 🙂
YES!!! She passed!!! Road test took about 10 mins. Waiting to process paperwork, 2 hrs. Then, her father got home and was like, you can't drive until we add you onto our insurance policy. Definition of irony — should have seen her face, my friend!!!!
YES!!! She passed!!! Road test took about 10 mins. Waiting to process paperwork, 2 hrs. Then, her father got home and was like, you can't drive until we add you onto our insurance policy. Definition of irony — should have seen her face, my friend!!!!
YES!!! She passed!!! Road test took about 10 mins. Waiting to process paperwork, 2 hrs. Then, her father got home and was like, you can't drive until we add you onto our insurance policy. Definition of irony — should have seen her face, my friend!!!!
YES!!! She passed!!! Road test took about 10 mins. Waiting to process paperwork, 2 hrs. Then, her father got home and was like, you can't drive until we add you onto our insurance policy. Definition of irony — should have seen her face, my friend!!!!
YES!!! She passed!!! Road test took about 10 mins. Waiting to process paperwork, 2 hrs. Then, her father got home and was like, you can't drive until we add you onto our insurance policy. Definition of irony — should have seen her face, my friend!!!!
YES!!! She passed!!! Road test took about 10 mins. Waiting to process paperwork, 2 hrs. Then, her father got home and was like, you can't drive until we add you onto our insurance policy. Definition of irony — should have seen her face, my friend!!!!
YES!!! She passed!!! Road test took about 10 mins. Waiting to process paperwork, 2 hrs. Then, her father got home and was like, you can't drive until we add you onto our insurance policy. Definition of irony — should have seen her face, my friend!!!!
YES!!! She passed!!! Road test took about 10 mins. Waiting to process paperwork, 2 hrs. Then, her father got home and was like, you can't drive until we add you onto our insurance policy. Definition of irony — should have seen her face, my friend!!!!