If there was a person voted “least likely to drive a minivan” in highschool… it would have been me.
I always knew I wanted kids but I would NEVER give up my identity by owning a minivan. I apologize now to all the people that own one and are offended by my obvious dislike I mean hatred of the whole minivan image.
Sure, I watched Desperate Housewives.
I even wear yoga pants out of the house.
As soon as my feet swelled with my first pregnancy I bought Crocks, and have never looked back.
But there was a line. A BIG LINE at a minivan!
In 2008 Ninja and I bought a brand new Hyundai Elantra. I thought, “WOW are we domesticated or what? 4 doors!!!” Yup, I had images of me and my babyseat flying down Portage Ave in an awesome white Audi TT but when I saw how big strollers were, I sadly but logically agreed to the family friendly Elantra.
 |
| 5 months pregnant |
 |
| Ninja and our new car back in July 2008 |
Flash forward to now.
Honeybear has her Tinkerbell suitcase with her library books in it, I pull the Cars suitcase with the rest of the library books in it, I am carrying the 30 lb carseat with SydneyBean in it, I am trying to maneuver the stuff in the trunk to get the HUMONGOUS stroller back in, but I have already gone to the grocery store and I have 4 bags and 2 – 4 litre milk jugs crowding the already crowded trunk… Didn’t I ask Ninja to remove the bag of ice skates and HoneyBear’s helmet??
FINALLY, I get it in. Now I notice HoneyBear is doing ballet spins in the middle of the parking lot while delivery trucks glare at me as they slowly pass through. Yeah, I know get my kid in the Damn car! What was I thinking opening the door and thinking that she would calmly crawl in? She can’t even attempt to crawl up because the entire side behind the driver seat is stuffed with extra grocery sacks! Behind the passenger side which is ALL the way up to the dashboard is taken up by the rear facing carseat holder!
I finally wrangle HoneyBear and get her in her seat. BANG! I totally crank my head as I am getting back out.
In my head I swear… A LOT! I actually have a pretty bad potty mouth that I have learned to mostly control in the past 4 years, but as tears spring to my eyes I have a few choice words almost popping out of my chapped lipped mouth.
On to the other side, Sydney Bean has her handle all the way back but I forgot to move it up due to the blinding pain streaking through my head and BAM the seat gets half in and half out because the passenger seat is STILL not far enough ahead to get it all the way in! I have to leave a BIT of room for when I sit on that side when Ninja is with us, as it is I am kissing my knees all the way to Kelowna!
So as I jostle the carseat in hopes that it will either go in or pop out I hear a sharp shrill shriek! HoneyBear put her hand on her seat armrest and has been pinched by her sister’s stubborn bucketseat!
AWESOME, I carefully back out of the car and head to the other side AGAIN, have I mentioned I have a GIGANTIC diaperbag on my back? Yeah, I thought this is the bag, 40 pockets, can be worn as a backpack, 1 side for HoneyBear, 1 side for SydneyBean and a pocket for my stuff… it only weighs you know, 20 pounds!!!
Kisses to HoneyBear, back to SydneyBean… CLICK. Thank You!
I sling the diaperbag into the passenger seat, walk around to my side and sit down.
I take the 6 minute drive home with many thoughts running through my hurting beaner. As I get out I realize… SHIT, I have to get them and the suitcases and the bags out AGAIN!
“NINJA!!!!!!!!! We need a minivan!”
This is a hilarious video from Toyota that made me smile,
After all that, tonight is planned meatless night… it better be good because this Mommy is hungry 🙂
Black Bean and Quinoa Chili
adapted from Closet Cooking
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 cups beef stock
1 tablespoon oil
1 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, pressed
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 (28 ounce) can plum tomatoes
1 (19 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 zucchini, cut into bit sized pieces
1 teaspoon dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup corn
1 handful cilantro, chopped
sour cream *optional*
*you can use vegetable stock to make this a true vegetarian/ vegan option
 |
| All the ingredients ready to go |
Simmer the quinoa in the beef stock until absorbed, about 20 minutes.
Heat the oil in a pan. Add the onions and sauté until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the garlic, chili powder and cumin and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minutes.
Mill the tomatoes then add them with the beans, peppers, zucchini, oregano, salt and pepper and simmer for 20 minutes.
Add the quinoa and corn and simmer for 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro.
 |
| I love the colors! |
This recipe can also be found on
Focaccia with Tomatoes, Basil and Onions
Adapted from Cookin’ Canuck
dough
1 packet active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1 teaspoon honey
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (to mix into the dough)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (to drizzle into holes in dough)
topping
1 red onion (thinly sliced)
4 cocktail tomatoes
8 Basil leaves, sliced
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
In a medium bowl, mix yeast, warm water and honey.
Let the mixture rest for about 10 minutes until it forms bubbles on the top.
Add in the flour, salt and 1/4 cup of olive oil and stir until well combined.
Put in your mixer with dough hook and knead until the dough is smooth, 5 – 10 minutes.
Place in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a kitchen towel.
Let the dough rest in a warm place until it doubles in size, for about 1 hour.
 |
| Dough rising looks so cool 🙂 |
Remove the dough from the bowl and press down into 2 lightly oiled six inch cake pans.
Using your fingers, poke holes all over the dough.
Drizzle the other 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the dough and into the holes.
 |
| Finger holes |
Let the dough rest for about 20 minutes.
While the dough rests, caramelize your onions by heating some olive oil in a large skillet on medium. Add onion slices and cook until they’re golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
Add the onions, sliced tomatoes and basil on top of the dough.
 |
| Ready for the oven! |
Drizzle the toppings with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with good salt & fresh ground pepper.
Bake at 450 for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
 |
| Cooling |
 |
| Dinner is served! |
This was super good. The flavors were awesome and the bread was soft on the inside with a little bit of chewiness. A definite make again dinner!
0 thoughts on “KID IN MINIVAN [sees Max dangling outside the window] Mom! Mom, mom, mom, mom, mom! MOM IN MINIVAN Sean, Sean, Sean, Sean, Sean! You see how annoying that is? – Get Smart”
You are toooo funny!! I can hardly wait to see you in your new VAN… I can say in my mind…. "I knew you would sooner or later…. I told you so"….. I'm kidding…… nice choice you will look FAB!!! L.O.V.E. xoxo