Keeping life interesting

Over the past few days we've spent a bit of time in the car. We had a fantastic weekend away to an oasis town in the mountains called Al Ain, which is about an hour or so drive from Dubai. Then yesterday, we picked up my sister-in-law from the airport who was having a quick stopover on her way to Europe.

This has meant the kids have spent a lot of time in the back of the car, chatting, asking questions and listening to the CD player and asking more questions. I can't remember how many times I've heard: "Muuuuum, I just want to ask you something..."

And the questions could be anything from: can we have McDonalds? Are we there yet? Why can't we fly to Abu Dhabi? What's St Patrick's Day? What's a lesbian? Why did Jean Valjean steal a loaf of bread for his nephew? Did Jean Valjean eat any of the bread himself? Why can't we have McDonalds? Are we lesbians, Mum, we love each other? Are we there yet? What's for dinner? Do they celebrate Easter in Melbourne?

Every single question preluded with "Muuum, I just want to ask you something...."

It's coming up with answers that sends me loopy because even a simple, correct answer doesn't always suffice. "But why?" is often the reply. Or "I don't think that's right". Or "Nawwwww, that's not fair."

Often the answers don't stay in their heads either. When I asked if they said Happy St Patrick's Day to their Irish friends, I got this reply: "I couldn't remember what it was, so I just said Happy Pirate Day."

I hope you all had a Happy Pirate Day.