"Boating" Day

I took only two of the kids with me this morning to vote.  I called out to them asking "who wants to go with mommy to vote"?....... James and Maryanna both came running.  James noted that this was his third time accompanying me as I voted in a presidential election.  He said he does not want to miss one in his life and is still counting down the years until he can officially vote.

I didn't know what Maryanna was talking about when she asked if she needed her bathing suit.  I simply said "no honey, it is cold out there".  She then asked if we were going to get wet and I answered "maybe a little because it is raining".  Then she asks "we're going to swim in the rain"?  I respond "What"?   and it became clear that she misunderstood the invitation to go vote as "who wants to go with mommy to boat"?  But we were already in line by that time and the concept of voting was too much to explain.  I bought her a doughnut and pulled out her little Corolle doll catalog then sat her along side James who was reading the Wall Street Journal on some folding chairs.  She was good but just screamed for more doughnuts as we exited the building. 

So it was not as exciting as my voting experience in 2004 but still a great opportunity to teach my children about the importance of voting.  But you may want read about another individual's voting experience here.