I'm now officially a soccer mom. Within the past week, I've signed Jacob up for soccer, cut off my hair, and purchased this:

  

I had vowed years ago that I would NEVER, EVER go this route. But when your '93 Corolla dies and you need to put three kids in carseats, you're pretty much stuck with the minivan option. The three-row SUVs are just out of control (as well as insanely expensive).

All I know is, for someone who up until recently sneered at the MommyVans, I'm really excited about mine. It drives smoothly, I'm up higher so I can see better (and feel less intimidated by other big cars), and best of all, I can fit not only me, DH, and three boys in car seats, but a good trip to Costco and another two potential passengers, too. It's a beautiful thing.

Oh, and as a belated anniversary present, DH is letting me get keyless entry installed in the car. I'm especially glad because after buying it, I discovered that the minivan has only --one-- actual lock you can open with a key -- in the driver's door. Um, hello?

Anyway, I'm now nauseatingly suburban. All I need are some khakis, loafers, a retriever and a house. And then, I'll be one of the scariest cliches I can imagine.