Foto Story Friday #78--driving alone

Do you remember back, oh say, 6 months ago when I posted this Foto Story Friday? About a certain young man getting a learner's license? Well, he recently completed his required 50 hours of driving with a licensed adult and the 6 month waiting period, went down and took his driving test........... passed and now is the proud owner of a restricted drivers license that allows him to drive alone, with siblings and 1 non family member! He may only drive between the hours of 6 AM and 11 PM. In another 6 month he can drive 3 friends (yikes!) and 6 months after that he is a full fledged driver!!

He was a wee bit nervous about the parallel parking. I picked him up 1/2 hour early so he could drive around town practicing! Not an easy task when the vehicle you have to drive is a big ole suburban!
Wednesday night we let him drive for the first time without us. He took his sister, her friend and himself to youth group. The friend lives across town (which isn't really that far) and he was excited and announced that they would be taking the freeway! Oh yikes I'm SO glad that I didn't learn this bit of info until the day after! :) Sheesh! I've driven with him on the freeway and he does fine, but really it is a dang scary thought! all arrived safe and sound. Thursday we let him drive all the kids to school. He thought he was pretty cool and his siblings thought that it pretty much rocked getting taken to school by their brother! Scott didn't want to take the bus this morning because he wanted Cody to drive him! Cody had to get to school early for wrestling.Over Thanksgiving we got to visit with most of my side of the family. It was a wonderful time of catching up and measuring up........ As you can see, Cody is catching up to his Grumpa in height!

Hosted by Cecily

Foto Story Friday #53 -- Stay Off The Sidewalks!

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

It's that time of year (round here) when you start to see the cars marked with yellow: STUDENT DRIVER signs! The summer Driver's Ed classes started May 18th. The first day in June the kids (70+) took to the roads.
June 5th we took a short drive to the driver's licensing office and Cody commenced to take the "written" test.
When he passed they took his picture and issued him a first phase license -- a learners permit.
As promised, I let him drive home. I was terrified! My heart beat faster and I was sure we would crash! I was positive that he would not stop at red lights or stop signs, I was certain that he could not make a smooth right or left hand turn, I was petrified he would not be aware of other drivers and we would wind up wrapped around a pole!
We made it home, and in one piece. He didn't hit the house when he pulled into the driveway either!
Wheewph!
We were home long enough for me to fall breathlessly into Troy's chest and relate how terrified I was! Then it was time for Troy to take the plunge and ride along to Cody's driver's ed class.
Troy makes sure to put on his seat belt!
And they are off....
He was SO excited that he forgot to bring his book to class, I had to run ....I mean drive... it over to him.
I called my mom, I had to tell her what a terrifying experience I had just had! All she said was "I did that 8 times". Hello! I needed sympathy!!!!! My baby boy, my first born, was behind the wheel of my suburban!
Whoever decided it was a good idea for teenagers to drive?! (OK, let's not even go to the 'you were a teen driver once...') I swear to you, when they issue your child a learners license, they should equip you, the parent, with a stack of those yellow: STUDENT DRIVER magnets for your car, seriously people should be warned!!!! There is a reason this vehicle is acting like a loose cannon!!!
I'd post a picture of my terrified face, but I was too busy holding on and trying not to scream to take a self portrait!
He's getting better, I think.... Troy rode on the freeway with him tonight (Wednesday) and lived to tell the tale! It's looking like we just might survive this experience ..... but June's not over yet!
P.S. Stay off the sidewalks! :)