Yesterday afternoon the boys and I took a trip to the library to get some books about baseball and some new Signing Time DVDs. As we were headed home we passed a corner lot with huge piles of old tires. Koa asked how you get the tires off the car. So, I started in on my titillating description of pneumatic devices and the noises they make in removing the nuts from the bolts. He was captivated. Then I realized we were just about to pass our local Les Schwabb. So, I asked Koa if he would like to see how a tire was changed instead of listening to me describe it with such charisma. Surprisingly, he said he would.
So, we pulled in to the parking lot. True to form, Tony the mechanic met us at the car and I explained that we didn't need any tires changed today, but that my three year old would like to watch the process and just observe him working on someone else's car. He agreed that we could and then introduced himself to Koa. Koa extended his hand, shook hands with Tony, and then headed inside the garage. Caspian and I stood by as Tony gave Koa the full tour and showed him how they put the tire on the wheel and then take it off. Then he showed him how to put the tire on the car and take it off with the very noisy thingamajig. Koa watched in silent amazement until the very end when he launched into his description of how they do it on "Cars" the movie. Then it was Tony's turn to wait in silence!
All in all it was about a five minute diversion from our day, but it was a fun little impromptu field trip. I think Tony even thought it was a nice change in the normal routine.
If anyone is interested in a free e-book with ideas for occupying curious preschoolers there is one being offered at Heavenly Homemakers. I love this blog. It is where I got my idea for planting my potatoes in a box. More on that coming soon...
