Braving the car wash

Self service car washes have become part & parcel of our life, especially since our car is a constant target for bird poo where we park. It's cheap, and efficient, and more importantly Noah loves trips there.

He used to be really scared of the car wash - he would hide inside the car with Krystin & laugh as I sprayed the window he was looking through. But each time we head to the carwash, he gets a little braver.

On our last visit to the carwash, he was brave enough to he come out of the car and even offered to help me to soap the car. “But not the water spray, Daddy. Too loud.” he informs me as he exits the car. He's surprisingly pretty helpful besides the fact that he can't reach high enough and the brush is actually pretty heavy so he says he's tired after doing the back half of the car.

"Thanks for being a useful engine like Thomas!" I say. I find the word "useful" a bit out of place, but it's the reference that he understands - the highest compliment for a train on the show.

It's time for the high pressure rinse and he immediately retreats to seek refuge while covering his ears. “Too loud!” he shouts. I ask him whether he wants to wait inside the car instead. He rejects my proposal and leans against the wall watching me wash off the soap.

I’ve found a wonderful thing about being a parent is to see your child progress - overcoming yesterday’s fears & being brave for tomorrow, even if it’s just baby steps.

Photographed on the Nikon FM2 on Portra 400