A cupcake ate the carwash man

Driving with little ones can be bitter sweet. You can think of it as being confined to small area with singing, screaming, non stop talking and straining neck and back to retrieve the items lobbed at your head from the back; on the other hand it can be the only 15 min in the day that the kids are strapped in and they cant go anywhere, so you can relax and listen to radio with kids as white noise in back. Leaving the house is usually the hardest part, even if it is for a 5min drive down the road. bags are packed and all necessary items are in the car. Start by finding dogs to put them outside to avoid them running out garage and spending 15 min getting them back. Now time to find the kids who have now started a new game and reluctant for the outing. Next best thing is to offer that they continue the game in the car, so help them lug all the necessary items into the car. So have 4 year happy and in the car, strapped in and ready. The 1 year old has now been distracted by fun stuff in garage and sees you coming to take him away and strap him in. He runs, hides and basically perfects the goose step to avoid all attempts. STOP, just turned this into a game. New approach. BYE we going and you will have to stay with the dogs by yourself. Separation anxiety has its pro's and as much as you hate exploiting your kids weakness, there comes a time that necesssary. Ok 2 kids strapped in and ready to go. 1 year old is now parched due to avoidance game. Forgot juice, so back in house, make 2 non spill juice cups as not coming back. Ready, lets go. 4 year old now finds his packed lunch for outing and starts to tuck in. Very kindly shares his treasures with his brother who is not so good at confining crumbs. Start the car. Sighhh, a little time, listen to news, a song that does not have actions no no the nagging from back starts so not worth it, I put in their cd and just resort to enjoying my thoughts rather than the radio. Mmmmm too quiet in back followed by joyful giggles and ... Mom he spilled! Yes 1 year old has taken lid off the childproof spill free cup and is pouring it all over. No no no, too late. His comment "pour" "gone". So, lets focus on head, shoulders knees and toes safer than all else. Destination reached, errand done, back in car. Getting back into car often easier than going first time so lets just get home before hunger starts to cause melt downs. Trip home has own challenges, you have to keep toddler awake without bribing food that will spoil dinner and drink is slowly glueing itself to upholstery. Trip spent pointing out Diggers, trucks, cement mixer, MOTORBIKE! You look back to ensure eyelids remain open and he is eating a cupcake. Where on earth did that come from? Yes party on weekend had those cupcakes, it clearly was not eaten on way home and missed by the dogs scrap hunting welcome party. 4 year old is torn between that is groce and " I want a cupcake". It is the time in the day when you weigh up the tantrum of removing it vs. turn a blind eye and pretend never saw it! Yip, you decide that take car to carwash in morning before it gets condemned and will give child extra probiotic and all will be good! What makes life worth living is the look on face of the carwash man when he opens the door! Starts with price, Polo is small car so R35 for wash and vacuum and decide to pay R10 for dash polish. They wash the outside and then you pull into vacuum bay and as open back doors, PRICELESS! Key is never return to same carwash twice in a row. Happy driving!