First, let me apologize for taking so long between posts. The Johnsons have been a very busy family! Besides the usual struggle to get all 4 of us dressed and functioning in society, we have had some exciting visitors. But one of the biggest highlights of the last month is buying our new car!
I, of course, recognized the need for a new car somewhere in my third trimester, when my pregnancy hormones caused rage at even the most modest of inconveniences. Every time I had to get my huge self into the car and ride with my knees on the dashboard I became irate.
Russ and I didn't exactly see eye-to-eye on this issue. He felt that since the car was running fine, we had no need for a new one. But as soon as Adam was born, and all 4 of us were forced into such close quarters, it became clear to all involved that we were, in fact, driving a clown car.
After a solid month of my subtle suggestions (read: my singing circus music at the sight of our car, or asking where the jugglers would fit in the back seat) Russ finally got sick of me and agreed to look at some new cars. VICTORY!
Now here's where things get interesting. The play-by-play of our big shopping day:
10 am: After two hours of coordinating, feeding, dressing, and general mayhem, all the Johnson's were finally on our way to the dealership. However, when we got there, we learned we were an hour early. Of course, timing is the secret to successful outings with a newborn. We were distressed, but not lost! A quick stop at the grocery store would occupy Josie and give me time to feed Adam.
11 am: We're finally back at the dealership and looking at cars! Too bad its raining as we're trying to check out what's on the lot. I'm covering Adam with a blanket as he starts crying. Josie has dropped her stuffed animal in a puddle and is distraught.
11:30: We see one we like, time for a test drive! We move both car seats from one car to the new one and take it for a spin. The salesmen is quite a trooper continues to casually talk cargo space over the sound of Adam screaming and Josie interrupting.
12:00: We are in love. The Mazda 5 is the car for us! However, this one is used with lots of miles. Much discussion must take place in this guy's office. But Josie has had her fill of car dealerships and has taken to running and screaming all over the showroom.
12:05: Johnson Clown Car is taken in for trade-in appraisal. Mortification hits us as we realize the car was not only filthy, but actually filled with helium balloons--- a gift to the kids from the grocery store! Clown car indeed!
12:30: We escape the salesman to go home and "discuss." We have been gone a full hour and a half longer than we'd planned to and both Josie and Adam are starving and coming unglued. We hit the nearest Subway, then head home for naptime.
2:00: Russ and I have decided we love the Mazda 5. Its a cool cross-over on the outside, and like a mini-mini-van on the inside. I love it! Russ decides to casually browse the Mazda dealership near our house and see if a new one would offer a better deal. He plans to be home in an hour.
4:00: Russ is still not home. Interesting.
4:05: Text messages begin. Russ is negotiating with a salesman! Who knew my husband had these types of skills. Russ successfully talks the sales guy down about $7000 on the price of the car. Amazing! However, he is texting and calling every 5 minutes with updates and Josie is getting pissed because I am not painting with her. Adam wakes up and needs to eat. Suddenly things are getting a little pear shaped.
5:00: The deal is done! But now I need to go to the dealership to sign papers. Russ comes to pick us up as I slap a sandwich together to feed Josie on the way. Adam is distraught and screaming. I am wearing pajama pants. The Johnsons get to the dealership like the stars of a bad sitcom.
6:00: We have been made to wait for an hour. Josie is so bored she could die. I am forced to nurse Adam in a small waiting area, which is more than a little embarrassing. Finally, we are called into the manager's office to sign paperwork.
6:15: Adam is beyond screaming. He is clearly being murdered. Josie is whining and wanting me to go look at other cars with her. I am trying to sign papers while bouncing Adam. The sleazy salesman continues to try to upsell us some warranty and I can barely hear him over Adam's screaming. I almost do a sweet roundhouse on this guy's a$$!
6:30: Josie: "I have to poop!" I am now carrying a screaming Adam around the dealership with Josie and looking for a restroom. We find one, but Josie is too scared to use it. I have to hold her on the potty with one hand, with Adam screaming in the other. When Josie is done, she says "my poop looks like a hot dog!" and wants to hang out in there discussing it.
7:00: Adam has finally calmed down and we are ready to get in our car and head home. Thank goodness! But the maintenance guys have to do a bunch of mumbo jumbo and we must wait another hour. I have lost any semblance of politeness and scream "I will cut you!" to anyone who attempts to delay us. (Well, at least with my eyes.)
8:00: HOORAY! We are finally done buying a car, for the love of God! We have our new super cool, brand new Mazda 5! All the Johnson's are too exhausted to do anything but go home and get into bed, but we have accomplished something fantastic! Not only can we afford this car, but it is awesome. And its over!!!
Who knew I could love a Mom-mobile so much? Our new car!
Josie tries out her new specs and hoped to find squirels and goats... we got one out of two, but I think she was pleased. 
Here's Josie's friend Greta on the go!
Friend Franny finds a butterfly and is totally psyched!
Keeping in mind we are dealing with two- and three-year olds, I didn't know how much of an attention span they would have. And, as guessed, as soon as they saw the park they hit the equipment and the nature walk was history. But they all had a great time playing in the sun!
Time for birthday cake-- don't get excited, I definitely outsourced this! Its not as nice as something Kimmy would make, but Josie loved it!
Delicious!
