The Scene: Sunday afternoon, driving down the highway with TWH and Baby A. The kind of highway with strip-mall development on both sides.

The Outburst from the Carseat: "Mommmeeeeeee! I want to shop at that store! Yook! Yook! Shop there!"

The Cause of Said Outburst: McDonald's, with a brightly painted, two-story playground and equally tall mural featuring Ronald McDonald, the bird character (Birdie? That was my little brother's era of mcD's marketing...will have to go look that name up), and other characters.

That little one-two visual punch was shining like a freakin' beacon from the side of the road. I can picture McDonald's marketing with their checklist. "Step 32: Two-year-old's reaction? Check."

Funny thing is she doesn't know it's McDonald's. She doesn't even know it's a restaurant. (Hence, "store.")

This feels like a huge glimpse of Parenting Challenges To Come, like the moment they realize puddles are fun to stomp. Always a big draw for the kid, occasionally okay to do, somewhat annoying for the parents. (Yes, even with the improved coffee.)

But it has inspired me to set up the microphone and produce our first QSK Podcast. I'll post a notice when it's available...probably sometime tomorrow. Cool.