In the back of my car, Miriam keeps her sunglasses (stashed under her car seat so they don't get too hot) and one toy on the back console. She was so engrossed in Teach Your Monster To Read that we were running late to get ready to leave, and I told her we had to go "super-fast" to get ready. She was wonderfully cooperative with that part, and then we got into the car...at which point we had a near meltdown because I took the toy down from the console after I buckled her in instead of letting her grab it first.

Toddlers are hard! And the difference between Miriam (who is incredibly verbal on the expressive end as well as receptive) and Naomi (who just didn't want to talk much until a few months after she turned 3) is amazing, too-having a kid who is willing to talk when something isn't right makes a huge difference in how you deal.