After numerous  episodes of my directionally challenged daughter, Cammie, getting lost, I have finally found the answer!

No more phone calls with high pitched squeals to translate from a pregnant and very hormonal young woman who has reached the height of hysteria.  No more visions of new mom with baby getting lost, panicking and making the 10 o’clock news.

No need for the newest GPS.  No need for a Blackberry or iphone with a navigational application.  Google maps to get her to an unfamiliar destination across town are a thing of the past.

This larger than pocket size navigational system comes complete with conversation including more than one tone of voice and occasional sarcasm.

WHAT?  You ask.

Her three-year-old sister, Sophie!

Apparently the sense of direction in this family has finally arrived.  After an entire Monday of asking for a Coke Icee, Sophie could wait no longer.  Not for one more baby shower errand.  Not for the bank deposit we were trying to make for Courtney before the bank closed.

Not for one more discussion of various places to stop for said Icee.  The light turned green.  Before we could cross the interesection, she leaned forward, pointed to the McDonald’s we were hoping she wouldn’t see, and interrupted our conversation with, “YOU CAN BUY ONE THERE—AT THAT McDONALD’S!  TURN LEFT RIGHT HERE!”

Right she was.  About the left.  Who knew?

And then it hit me.  She often asks why we’re going home “this way”.  And gets bent out of shape if we’re taking a new route to our destination.  Sure, McDonald’s is probably top on the list of places to spot for a three-year-old.  But she knows when we’re half a mile from her dad’s previous place of employment and Courtney’s as well.  She knows when we’re in the vicinity of her Nana and Poppy’s house, when we’re approaching our exit and even our street before they’re in site.

She may not be pocket sized but she doesn’t require batteries.  For the price of a Coke Icee or some french fries, I’d say she’s worth the sarcasm.

And if you throw in a bag of M&Ms you’ve got a full charge for the day.