Gracie is a Great Driver!

I'm going to admit to something in this entry that I'm not very proud of. I got in a little fender bender last week with my girls in the back seat. I wasn't talking on the cell phone or mediating an argument from the back seat. I was paying attention; I just didn't brake fast enough. So I rear-ended a nice man. Oh, I felt terrible. So, it's all worked out, that's why we have insurance - all that stuff. Anyway, Gracie has been very cute. She and Hope were very calm about the whole thing, nonchalant and everything. But since the little accident, she has given me some driving suggestions and been quick to "praise" my driving when I do well. Here's how this goes:

Gracie: Mom, next time when you see lots of cars stopping at a red light, maybe you can go around the cars instead of coming straight at them (at this point, she makes a wide sweeping gesture with her arm to demonstrate how I can go around the cars :>))

Mom: Thank you Gracie, that's an excellent idea. I will do that.

Today, while driving to Grandma Tibby's house, I had to drive through some barricades. It was a little narrow, and Gracie was quick to encourage me.

Gracie: Great job, Mama. You drove through those cones very well. Isn't it nice that we have a car that fits through those barricakes (she didn't quite know how to say the word barricades :>))

Mom: Thank you Gracie. I appreciate the encouragement.

I just get such a kick out of what she picks up. I will give her suggestions in the same manner.

Mom: Gracie, next time, instead of yelling at Hope to give back your pony, why don't you try asking politely and then telling me?

Gracie: Okay, Mom.

Mom: Gracie, that was a good, kind thing you just did for your sister. Thank you for doing that.

Gracie: (smiling) You're welcome, Mom.

So, she says the "driving suggestions and affirmations" to me in the same voice she must hear from me. Aaaaaah, it makes me chuckle. From the mouths of babes :>)