He's Kickin' It Old School

A few weeks ago Finn & Belle realized they were tall enough to open the drawers to their bathroom sink.  Of course, these are the same drawers we used to dump utterly useless baby paraphernalia we mistakenly thought were life saving devices during those 'Dark Ages' (aka first 9 months).  

Somehow the twins honed in on their old pacifiers--amidst the diaper creme, baby thermometers and owners manuals for every bathroom gadget ever made.  For about a week they insisted on taking Mr. & Mrs. Binky everywhere.  Here's a rare moment when one actually worked.

With A Name Like Her's, Of Course It'd Be Beautiful!

I'd like to introduce my new favorite obsession:  the Mirabel Dress--a J. Crew toddler dress currently on clearance for the bargain price of $42!!  Considering my personal shopping limit for toddler dresses is between $10 - $15, I've calculated Lady Belle needs to wear this dress at least 2.3 times per week in order for this investment to fully pay itself off . . .

Starting Off With A Bang!

Preschool is starting soon, so off to our favorite kiddie salon for some much needed haircuts. Since Lady Belle's hair is still coming in, we had the stylist clean up her shag and even out the ten strands of hair on her head.  Hopefully these new bangs are more resistant to the syrup/yogurt/oatmeal combination that inevitably ends up there every morning.

Day 3: Siesta In A Sienna

Gulp.  Maybe I should have rented the Honda Odyssey . . . 

of course Dave has no problems pointing out the flaws in this logic.

Things I would rather spend $60 to purchase:

• 2 new pairs of shoes for the twins.
• 1 ticket to a Disney theme park.
• 12 gallons of milk.
• Sushi and sake at our favorite restaurant.
• A year's supply of toothpaste.
• The monthly water/sewer bill.
• Tickets to see Harry Potter 5.6 times.

Day 2: Siesta In A Sienna

Spent most of the day in my new 'Luxury Liner'.  It handles really well--despite feeling like I'm piloting a large jetliner.

We also completed our original mission:  pick up these adorable ladies from the airport.  Of course, this could have easily been accomplished without a minivan if only someone were willing to be strapped to the roof of my car.  

By the way, the twins were equally as happy as our guests; they're just playing a new game called 'Let's Purposely Do the Opposite Of What Mommy Wants'.  It's a ton of fun.  I hope we play it more often.

Day 1: Siesta In A Sienna

I've got a dear friend from Japan bringing her daughters to visit for the weekend.  What better time to rent a minivan and find out once and for all if I can handle minivan ownership?

Yes, I'm aware fish are drying up in blood-red pools of water, children are starving in Africa, and a crippling heat has seized half of my motherland.  In fact, I'm sure this is directly related to the invention of the minivan--but I just can't.  Help.  Myself.

I've had a love/hate relationship with minivans most of my life.  I loved them growing up--so much in fact I resented the owners of our station wagon (sorry Oma-ma and Gah Gah).  In my teens I thought they were ugly.  Then I spent most of my 20s firmly believing if every gas guzzling minivan and SUV owner could simply live with less horsepower, and removable third-row seating, we'd all be a happier, more eco-friendly society.

Now with two dogs, a set of twins, and endless streams of summer guests (which, by the way, is my favorite part of living at the beach) my resolve is cracking.  IF we purchase a minivan, I'm only looking at the Toyota Sienna--solely based on this YouTube commercial.

So here we go, Day 1 of the Siesta In A Sienna!

It fits in the garage!!  Barely.  I am in love with the sliding side doors--a very timely plus since Finn & Belle insist on walking themselves to their car seats.  I no longer have to play the 'which side of the door are you on now' game.  Nor do I have to trap them between the door and the car in public--now I can shove them both into the minivan where they can learn to wait patiently for Mommy to buckle them in.

Ah, space!  No more kicking the driver's seat, and they can barely touch each other--a concern since they recently learned how to annoy the other by simply breathing.  What you can't see is Lavender chilling behind Lady Belle.  Two years of pent up resentment for being relegated to second class citizenship could be washed away with this 'simple' purchase.

Just how much is this space worth!?!  Clearly the real question.  Stay tuned for the rest of the adventure!!