It has been a long time coming, but the deed is done. I told my husband to just look at it like ripping off a band-aid. He still wants to throw up a little in his mouth every time he sees it, but I am not going to pretend I feel anything but that a destiny in my life has been fulfilled.
We got a minivan.
For some reason, society likes to brand this parental milestone as the epitome of being un-hip, or that it is the final nail in the coffin containing a person’s sense of individual self. But I think that is just plain ridiculous. What WOULD be ridiculous is trying to deny the fact that I AM a parent who needs to take my children into consideration with every single decision I make, including what car I drive. Not that I am saying a minivan is necessarily always the best choice, but it was for our family. I like having the extra room to cart around toys, groceries, Girl Scout supplies, projects, and every other random thing that might need to be transported. I like that we will be more comfortable on road trips, and the kids can sit in separate rows if they start getting on each other’s nerves. I like that I now have enough seating to carpool or let my kids spontaneously bring a friend home to play after school without it involving a scheduling chart to see who can drop off and pick up when. And I like that I now drive a big, sturdy car that gives me a snowball’s chance in hell should I mingle steel with some birdbrain who is texting behind the wheel of an SUV.
I am also not the kind of person who determines how cool she is by the kind of car she drives. But I am the kind of person who has probably never really been cool anyway. So with that said, I will say loud and proud: I LOVE MY MINIVAN!
In fact, I love my minivan so much that a regular old blog post didn’t seem enough to announce its advent into my life. As I searched for inspiration, the same line kept popping into my head…I like minivans and I can not lie…
So without further ado, I give you the very first “Are You Finished Yet?” Music Video!
A big thank you goes out to my husband and kids for spending pretty much an entire Saturday shooting the video and dealing with this first-time actor/director. Now I know how Tom Hanks feels. Thanks also to Sir Mix-a-Lot for introducing a song into our cultural fabric that is always ripe for a good “Weird Al-esque” parody. And thanks to Weird Al for just being Weird Al.
*the picture of the river barge in the video was from http://www.boldts.net/album/D-RiverBarge.shtml
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Are You Finished Yet? 
On a trip to Wisconsin with the whole family we rented a Windstar…best decision we ever made on that trip other than leaving the motel by the farm which had just fertilized with you know what!!
We got home and I went to the Ford dealer and leased a Windstar. Bah Humbug to minivan detractors…
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Right on! We too rented a minivan for a road trip about two years ago. I think that was one of the things that convinced my husband it was the way to go, even though he still hates that we have one.
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Stunned. 🙂 I laughed hardest when I saw Kurt do his part.
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Just do me a favor and don’t tell him. I think I still have him convinced that I’m the funniest Suellentrop.
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I remember when my daughter was having twins and she called to say-Mom I guess we have to by a stupid minivan.I now call it the lovemobile because I love it when that mobile pulls in my driveway.You and yours are quite the rappers!
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OH my gosh…that is one of the sweetest things I have ever heard. “Lovemobile”…love it!
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That is fantastic Kelly!!! You are a rock star!!!
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Thanks Jos!
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I seriously love this! I adore my mini van, have mini van envy of yours actually! LOL Great video!
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Thanks so much!
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Michael looks really good in long hair!
And good thing the rear windows are tinted . . . . hehehe
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He does make a pretty girl, doesn’t he?
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I am CRACKING UP! This is so funny.
Welcome to the club…like you, I’ve never cared what my car/van says about me. Which explains why we’re on van #2 🙂
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Thanks! Already on #2? Gives me something to look forward to…
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Oh WOW! I have no words… mostly because I’m still laughing too hard!!! That was AWESOME!!!
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I will take laughing over words! Thanks!
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This is wonderful, but I still hated my minivan. Traded it in after just two years and went back to a Rav4. I think I am the only woman in the world who hated a Sienna. The problem was, the damn thing is slung so low, I was constantly scraping curbs and bottoming out pulling out of the parking lot at my favorite grocery store. So, I’m back to my just-the-right size SUV.
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I can see how that would be super annoying. And you are totally entitled to hate minivans 🙂 I am sure I won’t drive one forever. In fact, my husband and I REALLY liked the Honda Pilot, mostly because it looked cool, but we couldn’t justify paying the same price as a van without the extra room…particularly leg room. That is where all the crossovers with third row seats failed for us. I have an EXTREMELY tall husband, and both of my children are undeniably following suit. And since we drive our cars into the ground, we will likely still have this vehicle when both of my kids are in high school (knock on wood). I just had this image of two pairs of very long legs scrunched into the backseat on long road trips. And uncomfortable kids = annoyed parents. We will have plenty of time to get a smaller, cool-looking car next time around. I am a fan of those smaller SUVs…and I am still getting used to how it feels to drive a tank around…or more importantly, how to park one!
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LOL … entertaining … oh how fun!
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Thanks so much!
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Kelly,
Amazing! I loved it. I love minivans, we always rent them. Can’t wait til we need one.
Lisa
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Thanks! They are great for road trips. We sometimes rented one for long trips as well…not anymore!
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That. Was. HILARIOUS. Kudos to all of you! 🙂
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Thanks!! I’m lucky to have hambone kids who indulge my whims.
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How am I just now seeing this? Love Love love it! Your creativity never ceases to amaze me!! You have one awesome family that is willing to participate in all the fun! Love you!
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Aw, thanks! Love you back!!
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