The Goodrums

So when you spend a decent amount of time around a 2 1/2 year old, you hear a lot of "why's." "Why do we have to do this?" "Why, mommy, why?"

For example:

Zoe: "Why aren't we going?" (the car was stopped)
Mrs. Jennifer: "We are trying to go home, but we are stuck in downtown right now"
Zoe: "Why?"
Mrs. Jennifer: "Because all the roads are blocked off"
Zoe: "Why?"
Mrs. Jennifer: "Because of the big meeting they are having" (the DNC)
Zoe: "Why?"
Mrs. Jennifer: "Because they want to keep people safe"
Zoe: "Why?"
Mrs. Jennifer: "Because it's good to keep people safe"
Zoe: "Why?"
...

The other day (ahem, Labor Day weekend... which is not so much "the other day" anymore) we were driving back from Breckenridge. We decided to take a scenic route back over a mountain pass.

We first discussed the devastation that the pine beetles are causing (dead trees everywhere), which was greeted by "why, Mommy" by Zoe. We attempted to explain how beetles eat the bark off the trees, which leaves them prone to disease and then they die. A lot for a 2 1/2 year old to process.

We were then having a conversation among adults about how scary driving the mountain passes can be in the winter and sharing anecdotes about the times we have slid on ice on the roads. We then got asked "why" again. "Why do cars slide on ice?" Parents punted to Michael who launched into a discussion of the coefficient of friction with a 2 1/2 year old. In the funniest reaction I've seen in a long time, she gave him quite a look and proceeded to lay her head against her car seat and pass out cold for about two hours.

I love how kids can be so honest! It's the reaction that most of the rest of the world would have wanted to have.

On another front, I've suddenly discovered the key to napping! File that one away for future reference...