Wednesday, April 1, 2009

The Seat of Death

There are weird terms and phrases I use with my children.  We have our inside jokes that even Daddy can't quite figure out.  One of these is the phrase: seat of death.

I knew this phrase had joined our hall of fame when I asked Ruth to sit in the middle seat of the mini van and she howled, "Why do I always have to sit in the seat of death?"  

When Birk brought home the kindergarten class teddy bear, named Humphrey,  we had to take him everywhere we went.  Photographs were required to document his weekend.  On the way home from school, Birk said, "Mom, could you take a picture of Humphrey in the seat of 
death?"

John was running to the car and yelled, "Last one in gets the seat of death!"

The seat of death was named because we have an old Jeep Cherokee and the middle seat has no shoulder belt.  I asked at the CHPD's car seat inspection clinic, whether it was safer to have my son in the front seat or the middle back seat with just a lap belt.  The officer advised me to put him in the front seat.

From there on, we called it the 'seat of death.'

Unfortunately, with a family of 5, sometimes somebody must sit in the seat of death.  The term has even carried over to the middle of the third row seat in our mini van.  Even if you're a guest, you may have to sit in the seat of death. Sorry, Humphrey, that's how we roll.

9 comments:

Terri said...

Inside family jokes are so much fun!! We have some of our own also. It is so funny to think about yall racing to the car to avoid the "seat of death". My kids would be knocking each other over.... sounds like yall have a fun time together! Thanks for sharing!!

Country Mouse, City Mouse said...

What a great story! I love the quirkiness of the seat of death, something unique to your family.


We had Sally come home to spend a week with us. Matthew loved having the class pet!

Jennifer said...

We have a seat of death too. It's in what's called, my husband's bathroom.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, the seat of death! That's hilarious!

I am Harriet said...

Hi there.
Stopping by from MBC to say hello.
Enjoyed your post!
Poor Humphrey!

jayd said...

Hi I finally figured out how to add my follow me button on my blog so I hope you will add yourself to it-- I am following you!!
Looking forward to it

Helene said...

Awwww, poor Humphrey!! heehee!! I love that inside joke...the seat of death!

Tammy said...

lol - that's funny -- no one ever wants to sit in the middle seat in our vehicle either.

I found you through the Follow Me Club - I am now a follower

MommaD said...

I LOOOOVE this story! We have weird inside family joke too, and I find it a special privledge if you've been let in on them! Love your blog, found you on MBC first 100!