Stick shift... no big deal! : P

Super News!!!

Whitney can drive a STANDARD now!!! I took her out for her second lesson behind the wheel of her car today. I let her drive around in the same parking lot again for a while and then got her out on the street (with very little traffic) and get some more speed and as high as 3rd gear, before coming to a stop again. Then, after that went well, without many "stalled" attempts we did some more adventurous stuff. She even pulled into a parking spot, reverse, and even the dreaded taking off from a dead stop when your sitting on an incline! She did so well, that she got to drive us back home from the practice lot. Once she got out in the real world she thought less and less about the shifting and clutching process and just did it like she was an old pro. When we got home, I asked her with a somber/straight face, "so do you think you'll be able to learn to drive a standard now?" The smile and the laughter told the story! She knows she's got it now, and that given more time she'll only get better. I told her the most important thing is just not to panic, and just pay attention to the task at hand. I'm very proud of her, and glad that she's picked it up and doesn't feel frustrated about it anymore.

This will rank up there among some of the best father and daughter memories that I'll remember and try always to treasure. Great job baby girl!!!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Bug Pix!

As promised... here's some shots of my baby girl's car. It's a peppy little thing! Yes, it's a standard. Yes, she whined some about that fact but in my firm "dad-voice" I piped her down! I told her to trust me, I'd have her driving a stick shift in no time. Sorry the pictures aren't better, but hey it was raining outside at the time. I'll work with her this weekend, and get that clutch foot/leg in shape real quick.


She's got herself worked up for nothing as most of you already know. We were all a little skiddish when we had to learn to drive one ourselves, but now much like riding a bike, even after a number of years we never forget how it's done. I made her feel a little bit better when I told her that her mother "stalled" in it twice yesterday... once while trying to show off to the Wolfe Clan. That one was priceless.

Anyway, I wanted to get these posted up for the world to see. I know this pales by comparison to the major things going on in our world today, but this is a pretty big deal to us in our little corner of the 'burbs.

And ya gotta admit... it's kinda cute isn't it!!!

Later all, and South plays football again tonight. Let's GOOOOOO Patriots!!!

Regards,

cheer_dad