Paul called it "The People Mover"
The boys called it the "The Unschool Bus"
But I have yet to name it and this one is mine. I've been begging for it ever since we had 3 children. I learned how to drive on one of these, my mom had 3 different models that she drove throughout my youth. In it you can fit a lot of stuff and even more fun, a lot of people.
Paul drove this back from San Diego just yesterday - it was quite a funny ordeal so I hope he'll write about it sometime.
You may notice the windows are untinted. I didn't notice that when I saw the posting on Craig's list San Diego but I'm not in the business of impressing people with my ride, maybe it gives it more character. One thing I won't need is a series of those back stickers representing how many kids you have, passing drivers will be able to count and see the kids themselves, some with footballs, some with big bows and certainly a few screaming babies.
My mom also drove a big white van with untinted windows. One of Paul's earliest memories of my family was seeing that van pull up to the elementary school, kids jumping all over the place (this was before seat belt laws were enforced) and my mom passing out brown paper lunch bags as we all piled out.
My favorite van memories were the times when all the seats were taken out (again, before seat belt laws). We would van surf and see who could keep their footing around turns and over big bumps. On one occasion all the seats were taken out for a trip to the Pepperidge Farm factory. My mom bought enough day old bread to fill the entire back at least 2 feet deep. The bread was cheap feed for the sheep and pigs but those who accompanied her on this errand enjoyed not only the treat of eating as much white bread as we could but also the thrill of jumping and swimming in piles of loaves.
I can't wait to see what adventures and memories await us with the new van and if I ever got chance at MTV's Pimp my Ride, I've got a lot of ideas starting with tinting the windows and perhaps an intercom system.
I have great confidence in your driving skills too. Nothing can be as difficult as maneuvering one of those in downtown Philly, and you were so good at it. Now you have a great van to drive to your new place when you find one.
ReplyDeleteCurtains would be great for changing.
Congrats! We STILL haven't gotten ours and the time's awastin'! Funny we've been looking at ads in Utah while you look in Cali. Part of our problem is we are so darn busy haying we haven't had much time for anything else. That and MR. FR refuses to buy anything sold in California. And I really don't want a white one, not after I've seen green or maroon ones. =)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, so many childhood memories flood back with your new van, Alison! Your mom in curlers dropping you guys off at things; your mom taking a brief nap at stop lights; many, many, many CC and Track shuttles. Wow.
ReplyDeleteI've chuckled every time you've posted that you want one of these, as you were the least likely in HS to have aspired to drive the van, I would think. Good for you. May you fill it with happy children and memories.
C.
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ReplyDeleteHa! I love the vanity plates!
ReplyDeleteI think you need to have every sticker on the back of the car. It will be a great family wagon.
"movin' right along.. foot loose and fancy free"
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ReplyDeleteAl - looks like fun! If we make a trip to Utah you'll be able to cart us around - legally. Here we're getting a little to used to the notion that you can put as many people in the car as fit. Becca, Paul, Me and Scott all fit in a tiny corrola, plus all our kids, 12 people in a 5 seater car. Imagine how many people you could fit in that car if you drove it to Mexico. At least 40!
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