This is a red-letter day on the Planet of Janet.
Today -- January 11 -- is the exact half-birthday of a certain Roo-girl.
The exact half-birthday of the 15th year of a certain Roo-girl. In the state of confusion California, that means that she is eligible for a learner's permit to ... to ... to ... oh, I can barely even speak the words ...
To DRIVE!
She has been on a mission for the last year, reminding me at every possible opportunity that she wanted to have her license "on time" (meaning July 11, 2010, her 16th birthday, God help me).
However.
And oh, how I love this particular however.
Before she can take the test to get her permit -- which will allow her to get behind the wheel of a deadly weapon with her mother in the death seat!!!!!! -- she actually still has to finish taking the online driver's education course.
Oh, she started with plenty of time to spare. I paid for her class several weeks ago like a good mommy. But for some reason, she is still only halfway through it.
Awwww, that's too bad, isn't it?
I have no illusions that I am going to escape this traumatic milestone. I'm sure she will finish it up in a hurry when she realizes how far off schedule this will put her.
But for the moment, I'm enjoying the idea that January 11 is passing without incident.
In the enlightened state of Massachusetts, Rosie can't apply for her permit until she actually turns 16 (in about 7 weeks) and she wants that slip of paper as soon as possible after that date. However, we are moving right around then, so we'll see. Meanwhile Rosie has also started drivers' ed but is less than a 1/3 done with the classes that she needs in order to start driving with the school.
Posted by: Ora | January 11, 2010 at 08:02 AM
I'm not looking forward to the day my boys can get behind the wheel of that deadly weapon! It will be here all too soon!
I'm glad the inevitable has been slightly postponed!
Posted by: Kaytabug | January 11, 2010 at 09:43 AM
So now it's your turn to be looking for that invisible brake, isn't it?
Jen was so anxious to get her license and permit that we actually went to the DMV on her 16th birthday. Becca waited a couple of months....
Both are driving now....
Posted by: songbird | January 11, 2010 at 10:17 AM
Benjy has been wanting his permit ever since he turned 15 in October (you can do that in Illinois), he has to take Driver's Ed to get it, which costs about $400. Even if he were in the public school, it would still cost $400. It's a racket, I tell ya!
I'm actually hoping he gets his license on his birthday though. I could use another driver. ;)
Posted by: Roger | January 11, 2010 at 10:43 AM
I have been trying to leave a witty or possibly even droll remark - but the though of Roo DRIVING just leaves me speechless.
Worried. And don't want to say so.
She's BLOND, for cryin' out loud.
Do cars in California have those Bumper Car bumpers?
Posted by: lceel | January 11, 2010 at 10:51 AM
I got my licence at 19 after failing my first road test at 16 and 11 years later my Mom is still horrified to drive with me!
Love the photo - that's the one you told me about last night, yes? Beautiful!
Posted by: Huckdoll | January 11, 2010 at 01:17 PM
I have a feeling the next 9 and a half years are going to go by a lot faster than I like.
Posted by: Janet | January 11, 2010 at 05:23 PM
It's a mixed blessing, isn't it? Hubs and I actually missed getting to see all the other parents when we stopped carting kids around town.
Posted by: Daisy | January 11, 2010 at 07:55 PM
Just don't get out of the car and kiss the ground when she's done with the first trip with you.
I sulked for a week.
He didn't do it to my sister-and nearly 30 years later, I have a MUCH better driving record!
Posted by: Suzanne | January 11, 2010 at 10:36 PM
Oh, Janet you are evil! I love you for it, too. Would you believe I got the second child to wait until she was 18 to get hers? I has secrets that people would pay huge bucks to know. I can manipulate the teenage girl to at least SOME degree. ;-)
Posted by: Krissa | January 13, 2010 at 02:59 AM