New Car

Though it hasn't made the blog yet, we have been driving around in a shiny new minivan since February. Dan purchased the car while we were on Ohio - we had been shopping prior and already had narrowed our choices down. He was pretty darned proud of making the purchase of a brand new basic Chrysler Town and Country minivan a couple of thousand below invoice (about what we had hoped to pay for a new Dodge Caravan with some added features). So many bells and whistles! It's nothing like the minivan we had growing up. I was showing off to John while he was here and he totally agreed about my favorite features. All in all, I am glad we made the purchase - we never would have fit three car seats in a Civic, obviously.

So far, I'm liking the car pretty well. It is so toasty and warm with the dark exterior and black leather interior. I know it'll be a nightmare once the outside temps really start to climb, but for now I'm enjoying it. Plus, the center windows roll down! How awesome is that! It really helps circulation in the back, I'm sure. I'm also enjoying the increased mobility. I've started attending a group called Mothers of Pre-Schoolers, sort of a young moms religious support group thing that my cousin Angie recommended. Though the scheduling is rough to still get Penny to school in the afternoon, it has been nice to meet up with other moms who are looking to support each other. The city mpg is horrific, of course, so I am trying to keep my little road trips minimal. Even so, I do drive at least one part of Penny's trip to school each day. It's nice to arrive there at least once a day without being totally out of breath and cramping up. This little passenger is a bit more tiring that the others, I fear. 

I'm loving the stow and go seating. I remember growing up with mom's caravan and constantly taking a bench in or out, trying to find somewhere to store it, sitting on it in the foyer on occasion, etc. These suckers just fold away, leaving some nice room to walk around inside the car. When not folded away, there's a nice hiding spot for an emergency kit, so it's not sitting out for everyone to see as they walk by. I continue to be confused as to why it can never have more than three car seats (the LATCH system is only in the center of the back row) and how I'm supposed to actually REACH all those carseats to snap everyone in. I tried Penny in the back since she could buckle herself in, but she was so tall I had trouble seeing out the back. We might have to switch her over to the big girl-style booster seat just to lower her a bit. Of course, there's only so many seats where it can work in the car as well. Just kind of weird how restrictive these child restraints can be in where they can be used in the car. 

Penny and Paul have been thoroughly enjoying the entertainment system. Paul points to the video screen whenever we get in, hoping the trip will be long enough to merit a movie. We are using the car's on-board computer memory to help Penny practice the music for her upcoming school play. Yes, even Paul has begun to sing along with the songs about zoo animals. He adds some great lion roars and elephant trumpets at key points in their respective songs. John memorized the songs during his brief visit at spring break, so he's got some new songs to share with lost hikers and wild critters in Wyoming for his new summer gig. Dan was leading some songs around the house today and he rarely gets to ride with us, so I guess that means I'm practicing as much as the teacher recommended. 

I'm afraid there are a few elements that bug me - the MPG for starters. Ugh, gas is too expensive to actually want to drive to school each day. That dark interior is likely to kill us over the summer, so I've already stocked with tons of beach towels to cover things as necessary. There are a few too many buttons and display screens for my taste. It does have a hands-free thingy that should allow me to tell the car what to do, but I haven't gone to the effort of learning its lingo just yet. I'd also like someday to not have to listen to the movie they're watching back there, but I'm not sure how to avoid fights in the back with a remote control. Aah, parenting. So much fun.