Big Day

8/19/2010 ~ The day Patrick turned 15 1/2.

He had Band camp and Soccer from 8 until 3 ~ so I picked him up at 3:00 and off to the DMV we went. I remembered his Social Security Card and his Birth Certificate and they checked him all in. Then they asked him to take the vision test. He couldn't see row A2 or B2 or C2 and then he says, "Oh, my right contact fell out during band camp. But I can see with my left." And he passes the vision test.

He is off to the computer to take the official driver's test...and he is kicked off at question 35 with a 75% passing score. He has his temporary driver's license.

But he couldn't go drive right then (Hello, route 20 is REALLY busy) because we had to work the concession stand at the football game...from 4:30 to 8:30....somehow the time wasn't mentioned to me when they asked me to work. So at 8:30 he drove around Square's Acre ~ past Judy's House ~ which seemed kinda nostalgic to me.

It was a very surreal feeling to hop out of the driver's seat and into the passenger. He went nice and easy and then I said, "ok, you're going to take a left turn here. Put on the blinker." and he had no idea where the blinker was. How silly of me not to go through all that!! We stopped and looked at all the buttons. He managed to push the tow package button and I couldn't remember where it was to turn it off! I don't think I've ever used that one.

He did very well, except that he tended to drift to the right and I would leeeaaannnn left...

After our Square's Acre circle we switched places back and I drove to Bluestone and we switched again. He drove the last mile home down a dark and rather busy Middle Ridge Rd. He turned into our curvy driveway and started to pull into the garage.

Conversation:

me, "Are you sure you want to pull into the garage?"

P, "Sure"

"Really, I hit the thing like once a month and you're ready to do it on your first day?"

"Point taken." And I parked the Yukon :)

I did VERY well and I was proud that I didn't scar him on his first experience!

Let the driving begin.