Bartholomew "Bart" Billingsworth, a six-year-old firecracker with a mop of unruly brown hair, marched into the living room. His parents, Susan and Michael, were sprawled on the couch, nursing New Year's hangovers with lukewarm coffee and stale Christmas cookies.
"Attention, everyone!" Bart announced, saluting with a half-eaten cookie. "Time to get fit!"
His parents exchanged a weary glance. New Year's resolutions already? The poor kid wouldn't remember his ABCs by next week.
"Bart," Susan started, her voice hoarse, "It's a little early for..."
"Not early at all, Mom! I ate too many cookies. I need to get strong!"
Bart marched towards the sleek 2025 Kia Sportage parked in the driveway. "We can go in the car, Dad! It has Smart Coozies that help you drive better ."
Susan explained. "It's called 'Smart Cruise Control'."
"Cool!" Bart exclaimed.
"And listen, Dad," Bart continued, "the car can see all around it. That way, we can find the best parking spot near the gym!"
'You mean the Surround View Monitor,” Michael yawned.
"Wow!" Bart said.
Picturing himself surrounded by grunting weightlifters, Michael mumbled, "I'm not sure the gym is for kids."
"It's the 'Family' YMCA, Dad!" Bart scoffed. "They have a water class for kids. I can do the water dance! And they have a track for running!" Bart continued, his voice rising.
"And the car will help us stay in the middle of the track," Susan laughed, referring to the 'Lane Keeping Assist'.
"Cool!" Bart said. "And they have a big wall to climb!" Bart said excitedly. "I can climb like a monkey! They even have weights! Can you teach me to lift weights like superheroes?"
Michael choked on his coffee. "At six years old?"
"I want to be strong!" Bart declared. "The car will help me get there! Let's go!"
Susan, witnessing the impending meltdown, sighed. "Alright, alright, Bart. We'll check out the YMCA."
Bart erupted in cheers, throwing his arms around Susan's legs. News of this victory spread quickly. The Billingsworth family dog, a portly pug named Winston, perked his ears at the mention of the "Y" word. Maybe a little fitness wouldn't hurt him either.
As they pulled into the YMCA parking lot, Bart bounced with excitement. The Sportage, for once, seemed less like a luxury vehicle and more like a chariot of health and wellness.
Oblivious to the potential chaos he just unleashed, Bart pumped his fist in the air. Operation: Shed-the-Sugar-Plums had officially begun. Little did he know, the Y would be a battleground of a different sort, with water dance battles, track races, and a climbing wall that might just end up with both Bart and his dad hanging on for dear life. But hey, that's a story for another day.
"New Year, New Adventures: Ride in style with the 2025 Kia Sportage Plugin Hybrid to Get fit with the fam
