There comes a time or times in everyone's life when we all say, "I'll never do that!" And then there comes a time when we not only end up doing it, but with great pride. I'll admit it, I said I'd never own a minivan. Ofcourse, I was in college at the time, when my biggest concern was whether to spend my change in my car on laundry or on Taco Bell. That was back in the day of Cheesaritos, ahhh, sweet freshman spread. Those tasty buttbuilders were a mere $0.79. Loved them!
So, you can imagine my surprise when Ricardo and I were looking into getting a car, and I blurted out, "What about a minivan!?" It's more economical than a big SUV, and everyone's comfy. Considering how big we all are, it makes sense. Soon, I was gazing at the beautiful commercials. What's that? Stow N Go? Remote control sliding doors? I'm in! Sign me up!
And our union was a beautiful thing. I have never loved a car like this one. Granted, we don't treat it like we love it...it's definitely been broken in with bark, sticky fruit snacks imbedded in obscure places, and dog hair.
I love road trips. And with recent life altering events, have taken several of them. My kids learned at an early age (3 months) that road trips are fun! Okay, with 3 month old twins, really, road trips are NOT much fun. But they've adapted. We're scheduled to hit the open road again next week. "You're driving all that way with two kids by yourself? Are you crazy?" Well, yes I am, but I won't be by myself, I'll be with my MINIVAN!!!
Nothing makes a road trip doable more than my sweet mom mobile, my minivan. I have pals who can't believe I gave in to the evils of yuppieness. They have no children, and I'm guessing, they'll be calling me for advice on where to get one when they do have kids. You know who you are, and yes, you'll look into minivans. Yes, you will. Or some just have one kid. That's too easy to keep up with just one. Have two or more and then heckle me about the mom mobile. I've got the hottest ride in town, and you know it. Otherwise you'll be dealing with amazing life inconveniences, like opening doors with your own hands with babies in tow. Or going to the grocery store and buying two weeks worth of groceries, only to realize you forgot to leave the spare seat in your big ass SUV in the garage.
An experiment: Try this, grab two kids...any two kids will do....under the age of four though, both of them. No cheating, don't get school aged kids for this experiment. I don't care where you get them from, but you might want to ask for permission from the kids' parents...I'm just sayin. Okay, so get the two preschoolers (no cheating please). If one is in a baby carrier, that's even bonus. Now, don't forget when you ask if you can take these two little angels, to get the car seats. You have to have the car seats. Safety first, people. Once the car seats are all safely strapped in, the mom lending her kids probably won't trust you, so she'll probably install the car seats into your sports car. So, once you have that all ready, tell the kids you're taking them to the store. Go get them in the car, get them strapped in, then go to the grocery store. Take the kids into the store with you....leaving them in the car is frowned upon by most government agencies, and it defeats the purpose of this experiment. Get the following items: Lettuce, Tomato, Onions, Celery, 4 cans of green beans, String Cheese, Shredded Cheese, and American Cheese, and 2 gallons of Milk. Now, your mission, should you choose to accept it is to get through the grocery store with only the items listed. You are allowed several trips to the potty. Yes, grocery stores have bathrooms, who knew!? You need to know that for this experiment. Your mission is to get those items, and the children back to the car, safely, and here's the gipper, you need to do it while maintaining a healthy and happy attitude. I bet you can't do it. But with the luxuries of my minivan, you could!
With my mommy mobile, I'm able to hold both kids' hands in the parking lot while opening the doors to my sweet ride. Once my little precious angels are all situated and buckled up in their car, I can fit all the groceries in. You with your little sports car or even 4-door sedan, are going to have a hard time with this because you simply don't have enough hands, and car seats take up the majority of your cargo space, leaving no room to safely store the groceries. Me, I've got StowNGo, and I'M NOT AFRAID TO USE IT!
The only change I'd ever make to my great minivan is I'd get spinners. I think it'd be hillarious if Xzibit pimped my ride. If he could install a permanent pedicurist and masseusse in there, that'd be okay, but I just think it'd be the best to roll up in my minivan with spinners. Don't you? I'm just sayin, I'm a better mom for having my minivan.
That's just how I roll!