We were going to the library. As I unlocked the car, I watched my children stumble out the front door with armloads of toys, books, bags, baby dolls, and snacks. They appeared to be preparing for a two week-long trek across the United States. But...we were going to the library -- a less than ten minute drive from our house. I am not sure why each of them insists on bringing half of their possessions with them when we get into the car. "I need something to play with on the way, " Jacob states emphatically.
I opened the car door for Tinkerbell (Yes, Tinkerbell. Every morning, lately, Annabelle puts on a Tinkerbell costume and promptly assumes her roll as a fairy. Annabelle doesn't rejoin us until the end of the day, usually around bedtime, when it's time to take off the costume). She threw in all her belongings and climbed up into her seat. Buckling her in was a bit of a struggle. Car seats are not fairy wing friendly.
As we pulled out of the driveway, I listened as Jacob and Tinkerbell decided what to play with first. Tinkerbell began to cry because she dropped a baby on the floor and couldn't reach down far enough to pick it up. Jacob became frustrated at the fairy's crying. "I can't hear my Leapster with all that crying!" he yelled. This, in the first minute of our less than ten minute drive. In the next couple minutes, I pulled a Stretch Armstrong move, grabbing the doll from the floorboard behind me. I also pulled a muscle, but at least I managed to get the doll for Tinkerbell. She stopped crying and everyone was happy..for two minutes. Knowing full well how to push her brother's buttons, Tinkerbell snatched one of Jacob's toys from the seat beside her, refusing to give it back. Let the games begin! They fought for the next minute or so until I had had enough. I voiced my sentiments and Tinkerbell returned the toy. Ahhh, a moment of peace. By this time we were nearing our destination, so I commenced my usual library speech: "You need to be quiet. Stay with me. Don't run around. We're not taking snacks into the library...etc....etc..." "Ok," they both responded, just as we pulled into a parking space.
It's funny how a less than ten minute drive can seem to last f-o-r-e-v-e-r. But before you judge, let me just say, every car trip doesn't turn out this way. Like all families (I'm sure), we have good car moments and bad car moments. My favorite car moments are when Jacob and Annabelle form a band in the backseat -- one on air guitar, one on drums, both of them singing and dancing to the radio the whole time. And I love it when Annabelle starts singing a song the second she hears the intro music -- a song I wasn't aware she knew. A couple weeks ago, she was finishing Chris Tomlin's phrases in the song, "I Will Follow." As Annabelle sang, Jacob perfected his human beatbox skills. They crack me up.
I'm cracking up right now. As I type this, I'm listening to my two adorable children play together in Jacob's room. I'm not exactly sure what they're playing, but I just heard the names "Captain Barnacles" and "Dr. Claw" before Jacob shouted, "What in tarnation?!" Now, they're talking about the Statue of Liberty. Oh, how I love those two crazy kids of mine.
You may not be able to see it in the video, but Jacob had a big knot on his forehead where, just before, Annabelle lovingly pounded him with her maraca. How sweet.
