A Hammer is a Tool

This has been a LONG and rollercoaster-like week for me, so I'll keep my post short (er, mostly) and light. Here's a funny little exchange between my son and husband on the way to my son's ice skating lesson:

son: Hey, Dad, can we listen to some loud music?
husband: Sure! What do you have in mind?
s: I really like Hammer!
h: Oh, you mean Tool?
s: That's what I said - Hammer!
h: Right. We can listen to Tool.
*turns on Tool, loudly, of course*
s (using a regular voice, rather unsccessfully): What instruments are they using, Dad?
h (yelling): What?
*turns down music*
s: Why'd you turn down the music? Now I can't tell what instruments they're using!
*music returned to loud volume*
s (using regular voice, again unsuccessfully): Is that guy singing? What's he saying, Dad?
*music turned down*
h: What did you ask?
s: Why'd you turn down the music? Now I can't hear what he's saying!
h: You were asking me a question, but I couldn't hear you.
s: That's because we're listening to it LOUD!
h: Which is why I can't hear you when you talk. What's your question?
s: Can we stop talking so I can hear the music?
*music returned to loud volume*

Of course, as my husband relayed this episode, he was all too happy to point out the difference between our rides with our son.

Rides with Mom (that's me!):
- ambiance music is some sort of kid-friendly, family-approved music, ranging from Kindermusik tunes to various guitar soloists to the soundtrack from the musical Frog & Toad (recommended, but not more than once/week, or you'll be singing that "Toad looks funny in a bathing suit!" in your sleep)
- breaking out into song is okay and everyone is encouraged to join-in
- conversations about anything!

Rides with Dad (few and far between : generally only to ice skating & to the hardware store):
- music is generally LOUD and may be: Phish (not too shabby), Tool (not Mom-approved), Grateful Dead (better than Tool), Moe (will do) . . . generally anything goes, ECEPT for items in Mom's car
- breaking out into song is okay if you're singing along with the LOUD music already playing
- music is playing to negate the need for conversation
- coversations are okay if they keep son's thumb out of his mouth (we're working to distract him from thumbsucking!)

Rides with Mom & Dad (weekends only!):
- music is generally off
- son interrupts any Mom/Dad conversations to have all focus to himself (unless music is turned on to negate conversations!)
- daughter happily enjoys sights out window while tuning out above mentioned conversations (smart girl!)
- breaking out into song is highly encouraged for all to deter daughter from crying when the trip has been too long

Ah, parenthood!