Putting the Fire Extinguisher to Bed

Alex has been driving around with a fire extinguisher on his lap. The Explorer  sprung a leak, a gas leak. While trying to find a way to avoid the purchase of a new car, Alex has had to drive to various mechanics to try and get the fuel line serviced. The consensus is that the car is too old, the part isn't manufactured anymore, and the part is unattainable. He was told to stop driving it and if he absolutely had to drive the car, make sure he had a fire extinguisher with him.  The news forced us to say goodbye to our little dumper and replace it with something new, at least new to us. It was hard to walk away from the car that brought every one of my girls home from the hospital. It was a dump of a car, but it held a warm place in our hearts.

Savannah being loaded into the Explorer

Lila Grace, strapped in the car for the first time.

Adeline settled into the Explorer for her first car ride.

One thing I learned after looking at way too many SUV's, is that the minivan has it all figured out.  Everything just works in a van.  It was meant to carry children.  What I don't understand is why the large SUV's  (which are 8 passenger) haven't figured out some of the minivan's conveniences.  Like, why don't they have cup holders that you can reach while strapped into a car seat?  Where is the mommy mirror?  Why does changing a DVD have to be a major production?  And what about the cargo space?  Seriously, shouldn't a SUV be able to carry more than a van?  SUV's are large, but they just don't have the flow of a van.  We ended up buying one of the big SUV gas guzzlers but each time I drive it, I find one more thing that it doesn't have.  Yep, I like my swagger wagon. . .