Yesterday I was complaining to my friend Chrissa about how this baby is the most expensive yet: All the stuff used with the first kids is worn out and was thrown away long ago (exersaucer-GROSS and in the dump, bouncy seat used up and in the dump, car seats too old to be safe any longer, etc. etc.) and this time we have to buy a new vehicle on top of it. The first two times we already had a vehicle that worked with one and two carseats, but try fitting three carseats in the back of a sedan and one of them is going to be wedged at a 45 degree angle and not strapped in. I am positive about this. I tried it last week. Plus, there are those two kids we’re already paying for.
Ever since I got pregnant with G Hubby has joked about how I need a minivan. And while at first the mere thought of driving a minivan made me itchy and upset, over the past few years I have really wanted one. The dual sliding doors! AND ALL THE ROOM. All the glorious room, tied up with an EPA estimated mileage of 18 city and 25 highway. Very similar mileage to my car now. But now that we’re actually getting one in the spring I have been itchy and upset all over again. Pleeeease no minivan for me.
My friend Jayme’s (aside to Jayme: I can’t find your blog! send me a link?) husband works at CarMax and she loves their ethics training and how they treat their customers. So every few days I’ll check out their inventory. Last night I was laying in bed and playing on my iPod Touch (thank you Mom for the gift! and thank you Heidi for the suggestion!) when I entered “3rd Row Seat” and I saw this: a beautiful, red NON-MINIVAN.
I showed Hubby, tried to get him on my side, and while he feels sad for me, his frugalness will not let him wane from the minivan-love.
My sister Hayley plans on getting me those stick figures of Dad, Mom, Child, Child, Child to put in the back window whenever a minivan sits in our driveway. Oh how cute it will be.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Ok…get a minivan but you can no longer be in my club. It’s called MAM-V. Mothers Against Mini Vans. It’s ok. Farmchick and Rockstar are out of my club, too. They are dropping like flies. I, though, am holding steady with my heels dug in. I will not let a minivan suck the last drop of the “cool me” out of my body no matter how inconvenient it may be to load and unload those babies in and out of my Expedition. It is a small price to pay for my self-respect. Amen.
I vote with Niki…and by the way I would like to join the MAM-V club!! I have to admit I love the Army…yes, not exactly eco-friendly, but I look really cool wheeling around the schools..even if the tree-huggers are giving me dirty looks!! But I will stilll love you with a mini van…tell Hayley I’ll go halvsies on the stick figures…no mini van is complete without them!!
Miss ya all!
I’ll stick witht he MAM-V club too! I think you’ll need a “Baby On Board” sign to stick in the window too: ) I don’t care how convenient those dual sliding doors would be. I’ll just tell myself that my kids need the exercise of climbing over the seat all the time.
Niki! You’re a hoot!
Honestly, it’s a real gut-wrencher when even Nana has never had an MV!
Don’t quite know where we went so wrong.
Nana-
You’re the one who taught me right. My husband is working his hardest to undo your years of good training.
Do not listen to my “too cool for school” big sister. Come on over to the dark side. The mini-van is so stinkin’ handy! You can pack it full or friends and go to the zoo. Or you can pack it full of stuff from a big shopping trip. Oh mini-van, how I heart thee!
I’m not a mom, so maybe my vote shouldn’t count, but noooooooo don’t get a mini van!!! It’s just oh so “sensible shoes!” I can see the practicality and all, but if you get one promise me you will keep your eyes on the road and not be one of those mini van drivers I often see trying to change, feed, bathe and discipline their kids all while screamin’ down the freeway!
How about a Ford Freestyle; 3 rows of seats, great gas mileage, not a mini-van, competitively priced compared to an SUV, and pretty awesome all around!!!