Sunday, March 14, 2010

Obligatory Mini Van Post

Yesterday, we got ourselves a brand new mini van. If I ever swore I'd never get a mini van, it was probably years and years ago when I thought I would brush my kids hair every day and cook delicious and healthy meals every night once I was a mom and wife. I didn't fight this purchase (lease) even for a second. I'm not too cool to drive a mini van. I'm not worried about what people will assume about me when they see me pull up. I don't feel older. I'm not concerned that it will be a slippery slope from driving a mini van to wearing high-waisted jeans and joining a Nicholas Sparks book club.

I drive a van now and I feel fine about it, great even.

And why shouldn't I? The van is easily the nicest, most pimped out car I've ever had. NTB. I am vowing that this car won't end up looking like the inside of my purse within a month. I'm going to order those rubber, all weather mats because the dirty footprints the boys have left on the van floor in the past 24 hours are already bugging me. I'm even going to keep a bag for trash between the two front seats like my grandparents used to do. And I am going to try to remember to do a crap and trash sweep when I exit the vehicle (when I'm alone, that is--I firmly believe it is too much to expect a mom to get anything but her children and possibly her perishable groceries safely out of a car on a day-to-day basis). As a sign that the above positive habits may be implemented, I will mention that before driving the mini van to the Jewel this afternoon (my first solo voyage in The Odyssey), I remembered to bring all my reusable grocery bags with me (and left some extras in the back, NTB).

So, that's the story. I have a mini van. I like it and expect that soon I'll love it. It was time. I was ready. End of story.

16 comments:

Stacia said...

You make some excellent points, such as I must drop out of my Nicholas Sparks book club before purchasing an Odyssey for my family. (And woot! on the reusable bags!)

dusty earth mother said...

Like the phrase 'crap and trash sweep'. I'll definitely be using that one.

Congrats on your mini! I would love one, but we live in the city and need as short a car as we can get for parking purposes. This means that it is not remotely pimped-out, and the only thing we could possibly store in it is us and our children. And a pug or two.

Which means that I always have to remember to bring recyclable bags, 'cause they ain't never in my car.

Anonymous said...

I think you will really enjoy having your van. It would have been difficult deciding where to fit the third car seat in your old vehicle. Just like a decluttered house, I am sure you will enjoy a decluttered van. m

CaraBee said...

Every time I hop into one of my friends' minivans, and they are an ever increasing bunch, I marvel at all of the little comforts they provide. While there is no minivan in my immediate future, the idea of one is certainly very attractive. If, and that's a big IF, there are to be more babies in the B household, I would be first in line to get one. Congrats on the new ride!!

And...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Gramma 2 Many said...

This gramma drives a mini van. She has to to get all of those grands to where ever they need to be when their parents are working. I do not wear high waisted jeans, they sit quite comfortably on my hips and I do not belong to a Nicholas Sparks book club:)
Really, I came over to thank you for your visit on Friday. But could not resist the above comment. Glad you like our numbering system. If you pull out certain pieces of furniture, you will see that some of the older grand have penciled their number on it for the day.........
If you ever make it to Washington, I promise I will still be here and it does not take long to throw a Salmon on the barbecue.

Heather said...

LOVE my mini-van! It cracks me up when other women proudly profess "I will NEVER drive a mini-van!". Why the heck not?

Last spring, I had a farewell party with my friends from my old unit. They're a bunch of 20-somethings, no kids, not married. When we went bar-hopping, who had the vehicle that everyone could fit in? Yep, me. We were rockin' it out in my Town & Country, cruising through Hyde Park. Hilarious.

Once you have that third baby, you will definitely love the van. Being able to separate all the kids from each other is a necessity!

btw, Happy Birthday!

Ms. Holly said...

Seriously, who is too cool for a mini van? I would totally get one if I could afford the gas. I do think you should consider incorporating Delilah back into your life, although I would understand if you wanted to keep that a secret.

Congrats on the mini van, and on becoming the mother of three!

P.S. My word verification is efftht. Rude.

E... said...

Isn't it just the most comfy thing you've ever driven? Mine also has a sunroof, which makes me feel like I have my own little portal to freedom. I'm loving the idea of us both tooling around in our Odysseys. What color did you go with?? Did you go with the built in DVD? It's a blessing and a curse. I couldn't deal with the arguing over what to watch today, so turned it off, and had to listen to wailing for the rest of the trip to and from preschool.

brainella said...

I wanted a mini van but my husband vetoed me and we got an SUV. I'm okay with it but the van would have more room. I wanted room!

BTW...Happy Birthday! :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I'm trying to keep my vehicle clean, too, because I felt like I had a new car when mine got detailed last fall. While it is largely decluttered, it is nearly always dirty with dirt/mud, food particles and drink spills, and a dum dum sucker stick or two. I'm trying to look at it the way that I look at my not-so-clean windows at home (and in the car for that matter): I'll look back and kind of miss the mess a few years from now.

Enjoy your new wheels and all the comforts that only a minivan can provide. Rita

Steph said...

:-) Just as long as T-man doesn't get off the hook for a bday present with this van! Definitely not the same.

Cheers to you!

cake said...

if i was about to become the mother of 3, i'd be ready for mini van too! more power to ya!

i am cheering for you in the "keeping it tidy" department. maybe you should just plan a monthly trip to the car wash, for the lowest cost inside/outside treatment. perhaps you do that anyway...? just a suggestion.

Shelley said...

Happy Birthday Mep. Hope you're having a great day

msh said...

so happy for you, and so jealous it almost hurts a little bit. but mostly just happy for you. and happy birthday friend! you deserve the most wonderful year. and clearly, it's off to a lovely start.

Cynthia said...

OK, today, I was pushing The Little Man and a Smart car passed us...I wanted one. It's the polar opposite of a mini van;)

Jane In The Jungle said...

I loved, loved my mini van until she was totaled I cried), all those bells and whistles.....except for the fact I ran into everything in it (but was NOT at fault in the totaling) it was perfect. Now I'm back to a SUV, not as many bells on it, but I've yet to hit anything which makes hubby extremely happy for some reason.... oh and BTW...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

 
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