Out with the old...
and in with the new...
...and yes, they are different colors. The old Grand Caravan is a beige/gold color and the new one is silver. We have been talking about getting a new minivan for quite a while, but it seems like we never found the time to go look for one. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, we took a couple of afternoons to go scouting around. After looking at several, we settled on a Town and Country with the Stow and Go Seating (where the rear seats all fold into the floor.) It has many cool features along with the all important DVD Entertainment Package.
I remember shopping for the Caravan, back in 2003, I did not want a DVD player. I had seen many families driving down the highways with kids entertained with cartoons. I thought, "what happened to playing games while driving? What about "who can spot the UPS trucks first? (an old family favorite) or the ever-popular license-plate game 0r singing the National Anthem?" My girls read books in the car while on long trips or slept!
Then I became a grandparent!
We did get the Caravan with a DVD back in 2003, only because it was actually least expensive due to the package we got versus a van without one. When Reese came along in 2004, we had only used it a few times for trips to Fort Wayne or Hilton Head. When Reese was nearly one, I started playing a Care Bears DVD in the van and she was hooked! That child's eyes never moved from the screen! The summer of 2005, our family went to Hilton Head and Reese rode in the van with us. On the way home, a nearly 15 hour drive with a 15 month old, it was Elmo all the way. For those of you who are familiar with Elmo, you know the show starts with Elmo saying "Hi, I'm Elmo and this is my friend, Dorothy. Say 'hello Dorothy'..." to which the screen pans in on Dorothy, the goldfish, swimming in her fishbowl. Dorothy is a real fish, so she never talks, of course. Well, Grandpa Stan, after listening to about 10 solid hours of the same Elmo DVD, finally said, "WHY DOESN'T DOROTHY SAY HELLO?!" Joel and I started laughing and said "because she's a GOLDFISH!" Anyway, it was funny at the time!
The DVD player has become a favorite with not only Reese, but Ryan and Grace, too. They love riding in "Grandma's van." Grandma loves taking them, too!!!
5 comments:
What a slick ride! We, too, just got a mini van and although I am adjusting to being a wanna be soccer mom, it is nice :) We did get the DVD system although I was totally against it (with all the points you mentioned). But with a trip to TN in a few weeks, I can't wait to put on Dora for them......hopefully keep the screaming down....what a great ride for all the grandkids :)
I laughed out loud about the Dorothy story. G'pa Stan's a character!
I used to think the same thing when I saw DVD players in cars going around me...then I became a parent and now I want one.
Very nice ride!
Okay, I have to admit- even though I've always been anti-minivan, yours is awfully nice! I think we might (one day) get a van. We shall see! I definitely think that it is great for people with kids- being their own kids or grandkids! :)
One thing my mom didn't say in her post is that Grace has always been in love with G'ma's van. She always wants to ride in it, but with the new van it is even worse! My mom had to take the girls and I out for a spin yesterday just to keep G from asking again!!!
I have to admit...it is growing on me! :-)
I can absolutely appreciate the benefits of a mini-van. Many of my friends and I are always laughing at ourselves b/c we're so psyched about our van. My mom wants one too! It's hilarious. I think it's because they always had a station wagon when we were growing up. It's like she missed out on being a mini-van mom and wants to make up for it as a grandma.
Kelly, you need to go for it. I once said I'll never drive one, but am now so glad I have one. We just got back from vacation-11 hrs each way and being able to sit in the back with Elliot made all the difference. Plus, the kids watched DVD's. Just make them somewhat educational and it makes you feel less guilty!
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