My mini van...

"We're buying a mini van!"

Four years ago, I was newly pregnant and gushing to my co-workers in the teacher's lounge.

"It seats 8 and has too many cup holders to count!"

My dreams of becoming a Stay at Home Mom were coming true. I would hand in my resignation soon and happily drive away into the mommy sunset in my ...(sigh)...minivan.

"It is so easy to drive and maneuver," my squeal continued.

My comments were met with forced smiles and a suppressed giggle or two.

I had promised my new Dream Machine to take care of her. I would keep her maintained and well kept. I would fill her up with clean, well dressed babies securely strapped. I would wash and vacuum her weekly. I would not be one of those mothers who, as she drove, threw crackers over her shoulder to silence the masses in the back. Oh, no. I am a teacher. I know about structure and discipline. My stay at home life would be full of squeaky clean, bubbly, fresh, heavenly, mini vanly scenes.

As for today? I still love my minivan.

She still sits 8. ( if I take out the double stroller, the single stroller that fits the car seat, the umbrella stroller, the Baby Bjorn, the shopping cart cover and diaper bag full of unused newborn diapers).

I am still amazed at all those cupholders. ( just please don't use the cupholders in the back. There just might be a dirty Kleenex or two in them, and no! No! Don't use the ones between the driver and passenger...you'll crush the Goldfish crackers...oh, that one over there might be empty...oh, never mind...something sticky at the bottom, but if you take this diaper....I think this one is clean...you could wipe it up...)

She still is easy to drive and maneuver. I can manage to keep her in the lane, one hand on the wheel, as I pass back sippy cups, loveys, and crackers to silence the masses. I've even managed to wipe a nose, tie a shoe, change a DVD, cradle a sleeping head and dislodge a cracker from Baby #1's throat, all with one hand on the wheel and ...yes... both eyes on the road.....Yes, Officer, I did say both eyes.

And, although she smells of fermenting formula, rotting cheese ( where is that coming from?),
and baby vomit ( I remember that one.), I still love ...*sigh*... my mini van.