A new car is for life and not just for birthdays..

My daughter Talli turned 17 last Sunday. It was the first birthday I had spent apart from her, and was pretty traumatic for both of us. To be fair, she was on a French exchange programme, and her adoptive French family treated her like a princess, and really made sure that she had a good birthday.

We had given her a phone (which she believed was her main present), before she left last week. She also had a selection of little presents in her suitcase to open on the day. The one thing she didn't know was that there was a BIG present to come.

While she was away, we went and bought her a car. It's 11 years old so not new, by any means. We brought her home from the airport in the dark yesterday so hid the car until after she was in the house. We then took her outside this morning to see her present.

To say she is thrilled is an understatement. She loves it. Of course, now the expense really begins with driving lessons, furry steering wheel cover, furry dice, new stereo, insurance etc. Oh boy....