Charles likes cars. His standard state is to run around with a toy car in each hand (occasionally he'll have another in his mouth). He's never been much for stuffed animals or even balls. It’s cars that fascinate him. He’s also become fond of computers, probably because Mommy and Daddy spend a lot of time doing computer stuff. He’s fond of keyboards and mice and “helping” the parents with their typing.
Now Charles has discovered that he can use the computer and play with cars at the same time. He’s discovered Midtown Madness and the Sidewinder Racing Wheel. At first he just spun the wheel back and forth randomly, but he quickly picked up that he could control the car by turning. Now he cruises virtual Chicago. If the draw bridges are up and he gets some air going over he says “whoa” in an unbearably cute little voice. He’ll come over and make me get up and then drag me over to the room with the computer, show me where to sit down, climb up in my lap and then instruct me to use the mouse to fire up the game and finally to put the wheel on the desk. If I don’t let him play he gets quite upset, although he’s learning to deal with such setbacks. I try to not let him drive more than once every couple days, but it’s hard when I have to work on the computer since if I’m in the room Charles can’t understand why I won’t let him drive (what else would Daddy have to do in there?) If only he didn’t delight in running in to buildings quite so much…
Corwin driving the snowy virtual roads of Chicago with Charles in rapt attention
