Friday Things
1. Dominic is walking EVERYWHERE now, it’s so fun! He barely does any crawling at all, though still walking with arms bent up at the elbows and with a definite wobble and stagger, which is just the cutest. He tries to run after Joseph and Duke and screeches like a banshee when he’s having fun and things get crazy. Our life is loud and wild and wonderful :) He also knows how to kick back and relax during a Friday afternoon grocery shopping trip, ha!
Joseph has been coming up with some of the funniest comments lately; earlier this week he was going outside with my husband to do some fall landscape maintenance and while I was helping him get his jacket on, he said, “Going outside with Daddy, going to use the trimmer. Mommy, you stay inside… get dirty.” Apparently he didn’t want me to go outside and get dirty?! He talks non-stop and it’s so fun to watch his mind work! We made bread together last Saturday morning, and he still loves scooping the flour, and he does a great job; our messes have decreased each time he helps me. I can’t believe how tall he looks at the counter now; he was so tiny when he started standing next to me, he could barely see over it!
2. I am one thousand percent convinced that whoever decided changing the clocks twice a year was a good idea most definitely did not have small children. Dominic woke up at 5am on Sunday, but has *mostly* gotten back to his regular schedule (he’s also cutting molars, so there’s that), however, Joseph is still waking up an hour early and he is DONE by dinnertime. Hopefully in another week or so everyone will be back to their normal schedules.
3. Let’s talk Amazon Pantry… do you make regular orders? What do you get? I’ve never used it, but something that I ordered last week (I think OxiClean) showed up as a pantry purchase, so now I’m wondering if it’s a better deal than the grocery store or Costco/Sam’s Club.
4. Have you tried the Mystery Oreos? I bought a package and my husband and I each tried them… I could only eat half a cookie, and he ate I think two and we ended up throwing the rest of the package away. They were AWFUL. Was it just us??! They almost tasted like a creamsicle (which would normally be good, but no); my husband said someone on TV guessed Tang, which would make sense as well. But, bleh.
5. While we’re talking about food… my grocery store has a massive display of Angie’s Boom Chicka Pop seasonal holiday flavors as soon as you walk in, and I want to buy ALL OF THEM OMG. Frosted Sugar Cookie… Hot Cocoa Marshmallow… Dark Chocolate Drizzled Sea Salt… White Chocolate & Peppermint. I could eat all of those popcorns all day, every day until January 1st.
6. We are currently evaluating new car options because neither my car nor my husband’s can accommodate three car seats, womp womp. We’re mostly looking at large SUV’s since I’m not really a fan of station wagons and my husband isn’t really a fan of mini vans. SO… do you have a car/SUV/something that fits three car seats that you love? (Keeping in mind that Joseph isn’t in a booster seat yet so they’re NOT narrow… we’re talking wide convertible car seats.) We’re starting to make a list of cars to look at, so throw your recommendations my way!
7. Do you follow Oprah’s favorite things every year? I honestly forget about it most of the time, but saw it mentioned this year, so checked them all out… definitely a good starting point for a few Christmas gifts! Loving the Butter London nail set and Julep lip mousse collection, in particular!
8. Did you make your Thanksgiving menu yet? I got my turkey ordered this week, so I feel all sorts ahead of the game compared to last year. What are your must-have’s?! I’m planning to work on the menu early next week!
9. We haven’t watched anything new on TV lately, but we did catch the Jerry Seinfeld special on Netflix… little snippets of stand-up with a look back at his career. Pretty good! I can’t wait to start living and breathing Christmas movies, though ;-)
10. TGIF! I hope you have a cozy weekend!
My husband brought home the mystery oreos last week, and I agree with you, they’re gross. When I first sniffed them, I thought they smelled like those orange breakfast rolls from Pillsbury, but they tasted more like some sort of fruity cereal, like Fruity Pebbles.
Honda Odyssey … all day, everyday. It is the smoothest ride. I have heated leather seats, moon roof and POWER SLIDING DOORS. 🙌🏻 I only have 2 kids, so i keep the back seat folded down most of the time and can fit an insane amount of stuff back there. Even with the seat up, the cargo well is very deap.
I just read your list and saw Nissan Armada. We had one of those for a short—very short—while when they first came out. We loved it—such a nice looking vehicle—except for the front break shimmy issue. We had to basically give it back at that time. Then we got the Toyota Sequoia. It has been many years, but as long as that issue has been fixed either vehicle would be fine.
Rose
Hi Michelle,
I remember the days of having 3 car seats at once. We had a Ford Econoline van. That thing was massive and fit everything. Way overkill for just 4 kids. We transitioned to a Toyota Sequoia. Thank God! It will fit 3 car seats, but you do have to get to that 3 rd row of seats. It is doable, but you may want the most mobile kid back there so they can get out for you more easily. And now I still have it—all my kids are college age and beyond so therefore I end up driving it alone! Not too big of a deal—more metal between me and the other vehicles on the freeway!
Rose
Please at least test drive a minivan. My husband had an Explorer and I had a VW Cabrio then the twins came along. We managed for a couple of years. He said absolutely “NO” to a van. Then we test drove everything that would accommodate twins, dogs, & aging grandparents. We realized our parents would have to be comfortable getting in and out when we drove everyone. The safety rating on the Toyota Sienna was great and it was really comfortable to drive. He was against it but realized I would be driving it 90% of the time. Now it’s 14 years later and it was the best decision – even my husband agrees. We’ve driven loads of kids (and dogs) to sporting events, Boy Scout events, vacations, and off to college! Consider it!
My Toyota Sienna was the best decision I could have made for my family. I have always loved minivans but with carseats its easy. We have a DVD system so its nice and the maintenance is wonderful no issues. I did a lot research and hands down the van is great! They may not be what’s popular right now but they practical if you have small children or numerous children.
So, speaking as a child passenger safety technician (CPST) I hear a lot of people say they don’t want to go the minivan route – which is totally fair! But if that’s the case you really need to put on “car seat goggles” when vehicle shopping. I’m gonna link you to an article that you might find helpful: http://vicarseattechs.com/2013/vehicle-shopping-with-car-seat-goggles/
Also expect that you’re going to need to buy new seats, especially if your seats are rather wide. I highly suggest meeting with a local CPST who can help you out! Some narrow seats include Clek fllo and foonf, Evenflo Sonus, graco dimensions, Cosco scenera next, to name a few….there are tons more and sometimes it’s not a matter of buying 3 narrow seats, but how the seats puzzle together once installed.
And since you asked, here’s some recommendations that aren’t minivans that can accommodate 3 kids that we usually recommend: Nissan altima, Honda pilot, vw atlas, Ford expedition, Acura Mdx, chevy tahoe, to get you started.
Good luck!
Hooray for Clek! We have three across in the second row of our Odyssey for three kids of different ages. We could put someone in the third row, but they love being together. Clek has great support and customer service. And, like you said, they are narrow and will even fit three across in a car as narrow at the Subaru Forester.
Great tip to meet with a CPST. The consideration of the combination of car + car seats is often overlooked. Not every car seat will fit right in every car.
I know you aren’t keen on the idea of a minivan but I️ urge you to reconsider. I learned the hard way and finally accepted the fact that for busy moms a minivan is the way to go. My boys are in their early 20’s now and I drive a Highlander because I am not hauling kids but I honestly miss my van. I never thought I would say that!! I drove Toyota Sienna’s and never had an issue with them and they are very safe. I hope you at least test drive a van. Good luck!
By the way, that is one HUGE mixer! 😮
So cute (kids and the dog)! We had a Chrysler Town & Country when our kids were little. I loved it. So much more room than any SUV, better on gas, and the sliding back doors are so convenient.
It is so sweet to see Joseph cal help you . God bless this child.
I have driven a Suburban for years, I can’t say I ever want anything else. I always order one with second row captain seats, that way you have a “walkway” to the third row, they’re awesome! I always leave it in AWD and never have problems in any kind of weather.
Speaking of TV…You have to try Good Behavior (TNT) Michelle Dockery is fantastic (and so is the rest of the cast). It was created by the same guys that did Wayward Pines, although this is very different The first season is on Netflix and season two started October 15 but all of this season is on TNT on demand. It really is funny and sad and tragic and dark and light and funny again. I also love Animal Kingdom, also on TNT it’s all kinds of wrong, but really good (and sick) too.
Your kids are so cute. Selfishly, I hope you still blog after your daughter is born; I can’t tell you how many times I’ve turned to your blog of great recipes and new ideas, you never disappoint, so thanks.
I drove my car for 20 years before it died on the car dealer’s lot. I would recommend a Hyundai Santa Fe. They seem to be just the right size. For some reason, I bought a way-too-big Sonata, but it is reliable. Love all the pictures you share and the recipes. Take care of yourself.
Ditto on the comments about a minivan. When my kids were that age (20 yrs ago), we spent a lot of time on the road traveling to our parents’ homes. So we had 3 kids, a dog and a lot of kids gear (e.g port a play, etc). With all of the SUV’s at that time, you could either use the 3rd row for (uncomfortable) seating or you could have space for cargo, but not both. If you take overnight trips, look carefully and critically at the SUV’s space. If your trips are mostly around the ‘burgh, an SUV may be ok. And yes, I hated the time change when the kids were small. With kids (and dogs!), springing forward is more beneficial than falling back
Congratulations on your growing family! We have two young kids, a dog we take everywhere and drive a Nissan Armada and LOVE it!! All our friends wondered why we needed something so big, but when we go camping we use every inch of it. Our middle seat folds down so you can easily get to the third row, the third row goes flat with a push of a button, and there is still plenty of space for storage when you put the third row up. We couldn’t fit everyone and a double stroller in our Pathfinder. Many mid-size SUV’s have a third row, but very little storage in the back once the third row is up. You’ll find what works best for your lifestyle! :)
I also was a minivan hater…until we test drive. Can’t go wrong with the Toyota or Honda. We also have a small SUV because we still need something smaller sometimes.
We have a 6yr old and a 1yr old in 1 week. Yikes, time flies! We are going to have another by the end of next year and had to purchase a bigger more accommodating car in July. We bought a Dodge Durango. It has 3 rows with the third one folding down if you need additional trunk space. We, too, did not want a van or a huge SUV car. This was perfect and totally worth it. You have gotten good recommendations, good luck on the car hunt!
When we added number 3 to our family, we also needed a vehicle that would accommodate three car seats. We bought a Honda Odyssey. I never wanted a van, but now that I have one, I LOVE it. I love being able to crawl around in the van to do diaper changes, get everyone in quickly on a rainy, snowy day, hold extra family members or cargo. Road trips with the extra space are so much easier. I can’t say enough good things about my van.
I felt the same way about vans, but I love my Honda Oydessy. The remote doors are a game changer, and all of our back windows came with sun shades which I love for the little ones in car seats.
Thank you so much for including Duke in your Friday Things post….I look forward to seeing him every week. We live in Nashville and lost our sweet Leo to cancer in June, he was almost 11. We miss him so much as I’m sure you do Einstein, so seeing Duke each week makes me smile. Thank you…and congrats on your new arrival!
I am so, so sorry for your loss Jennifer :( It is so difficult losing a pet that was part of the family. Hugs to you, xo
Joseph you are sinful…..
Dominic you are Mommy’s carbon copy…
Be blessed!
Ditto to everyone’s input about vans! We have the 2017 Pacifica and LOVE being able to stow the extra seat in the floor to have all that extra floor space! So handy for diaper/clothes changes, and it makes reaching the back seat so easy! You really should drive one before you make up your mind about vans!!!
Hi Michelle,
I highly recommend the Toyota Sequoia!
I absolute love mine and can’t say enough about it.
Good luck
Christine
Check out the GMC Acadia with captain seats in 2nd row.. Easy to walk to 3rd row and still has decent cargo space… 3rd seat splits. I have had 3 car seats in place for over 3 years and am very happySUV is mid size . My daughter drives a Toyita Sequoia… Obviously much larger and more cargo capacity… You can weigh the size. Vs cost to drive etc. I have also driven the Honda Odyssey and it is a dream, but a minivan! Good luck!
If anyone is interested in a car seat that has a smaller profile I would recommend the Combi brand. We fit 3 car seats across the back seat of our small Toyota Yaris sedan. We also had the double stroller they make. It was compact and easily fit in the truck with a single stroller.
We have an Audi Q7 and it is a wonderful car. Ours is the TDI which of course they no longer make because of the emissions scandal. It’s too bad cuz it’s awesome and gets great fuel mileage for such a beast. In my opinion it would be worth seeking out a used one.
Good Luck!
Your kids are beautiful, enjoy your blog very much. Congratulations on baby number three! I have a toyota highlander and love it. Three seats, check them out. Very roomy and nice. Have a great day! Karren
I have 6 year old twins and an 8 year old and said I would NEVER drive a mini van. We just purchased a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica van and absolutely love it!! Otherwise, I would look at a Suburban is you don’t want a van and also look at Diano Radian car seats. They are the narrowest car seat on the market. They are the only ones that would fit when I was driving my old vehicle – Dodge Journey.
My Thanksgiving menu is planned. We have a non-traditional item on our menu – egg rolls. My Mom is from the Philippines and I make them for Thanksgiving and Christmas now that my Mom is no longer with us. The wrappers are different than grocery store egg roll wrappers. They are paper thin and get super crispy!
I a]have to agree with the other ladies, a mini van is the best, most practical and you’ll end up using it for years as the kids grow. My husband was hesitant bc he didn’t want to be driving around a “big ol’ mama van” but it turned out to be the best vehicle ever. We got a Honda Odyssey and it was perfect. We were able to lug all the kids, and their junk, lol. My second suggestion for you is the Honda Pilot. It’s an pretty large SUV but the back row is not as easily accessible as the van. Good luck on your search and let us know what you end up with.
My friend has a Buick Enclave which has the third row. So if you think Joseph is old enough to be back there…
We bought a 2017 Ford Explorer so we can accommodate our 4 grandchildren, 2 in the big car seat, one in a booster seat, one on a booster. There is plenty of room for them and all the stuff involved!! Trunk opens and closes without using your hands, a lot of different options for backseat/trunk area folding. Love, love, love it ❤️
You can start living and breathing Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel. They started running them a few weeks ago! Way too soon for me :)
Depending on what car you have, consider new carseats. The Diono Radian’s are really narrow and can fit 3 across in many cars. Cheaper than a new car!
If they don’t work, really consider a minivan. You will find there is a ton more storage in them than there is in all but the largest SUVs, for a fraction of the cost. They aren’t “cool”, but when you need to get a double stroller and groceries in the back, or you are traveling with a pack-n-play and luggage for 5, the space is a winner. Plus, better gas milage and easier handling. I have 4 kids, and at one point had 3 under 5 and then 4 under 8 and the benefits of a minivan are real.
We have a 2012 Sequoia. While I only have one car seat to contend with, I would say three will fit, but you’d have to use the third row seat. We have the Platinum edition, which has two captains chairs in the middle row, separated with a console. It would still be a pain to have to climb over that console to strap a child into a third row. The Limited edition has a bench seat all the way across the middle row. While the seats are huge, I don’t know that three seats would fit across, especially with cup holders now built into seats, etc. Maybe while you have an infant carrier, but not three convertible seats. Also, because the seats are so large, when you have the third row of seats up, you lose much of the cargo space. So strollers and things like that can be a hassle. Ours does have the 2/3 seats in the back, so you can either put just the 1/3 seat up or 2/3 of the rear row and give yourself a little extra room for cargo. We have rented large SUVs many times also, and I’d say they’re all pretty much in the same boat. Some might have smaller seats and give you a little more cargo area, but not much. The only exception might be a Yukon XL version or a Suburban, which have extended cargo areas. I know the Yukon XL also has a bucket seat option for the middle row (no console), which could work. The last thing to keep in mind with these extended and large SUVs is garage room. I don’t know how your garage is set up or how deep it is, but you’ll want to measure that and the width of your actual opening. I have individual garage doors and my Sequoia JUUUUUSSST fits inside and I have to close my side mirrors to get in and out (thankfully, they’re power). It’s a tank, but I love it and have never had any issues with it.
I am 21 and I have grown up riding in Toyota Sequoias. My family of 5 currently owns two, a 2005 model and 2013 model, and we love them both! We are a big, tall family, and my two siblings and I fit comfortably in the back seat. My mom never liked mini vans because the third child would be in the third row seating, and she said they felt so far away. In a Sequoia, all three kids could be in the second row with all their carseats. Toyotas are also just great cars in general. I commute to college with a Camry everyday and love it! Hope this helps a little in your search!
Will you share your list of cars once you get it together?! We are about to start the same search!
Hi Sally, Sure! As of right now (before getting all of this great feedback!), our list is: Toyota 4Runner, Volvo XC90, VW Atlas, and Nissan Armada.
My husband has the 2017 4Runner. There is no way 3 car seats will fit across the bench. My son’s takes up half of the back bench alone.
Well we’re thinking of that because you can get a 3rd row.
I would double check the reliability ratings in the Volvo. We had 2 Volvo sedans back to back and weird things would happen like the gas filler door would suddenly fall off, etc. vowed never to buy another Volvo…
We just got a 2014 GMC acadia. It’s pretty big for a SUV and it has bucket seats in the middle which is awesome cuz my toddler can just walk over to back row by herself instead of us having to fold down the middle seat. anti has a pretty big trunk. They are downsizing the newer (2017 +) Acadia’s though.
My husband and I had the same car issue after having 3 boys in 3 years. We found the Acura MDX (or Honda Pilot) can fit 3 car seats across the middle row. Plus it has enough cargo space for a stroller and a third row for friends or family. I didn’t want a tank that drove like a truck so the MDX was perfect for me.
Car thoughts!
My son has 3 small children & drives a Honda Pilot.
As their grandparents, we have a Chevy Traverse to accommodate all 3 car seats.
When my own children were small & growing we had a van. It really was so much easier than the SUV’s. And as an early writer commented ….. you will use it to transport the children’s friends, too…it’s inevitable.
Happy shopping!😱
I had the same issue 5 years ago when I had my third boy. Although our oldest boy was already in a booster seat and the other in a booster with back support, we still needed a bigger car than my Jetta. :) We opted for an Infiniti QX60 and we still have one now. All our car seats fit. It helps that for the first 2 years, your daughter will be facing backwards. Gives more room for the bulky toddler car seats. The all-around camera system on the QX60 cannot be beat. And there is an easily accessible third row for when you need it. I highly recommend that car!
I forgot to mention that the Infiniti QX60 is an all-wheel drive. I live in the Philadelphia suburbs so that was a must. As far as mini-vans go, the only all-wheel drive I know of is the Toyota Sienna. But I am not a big fan of mini-vans although they are what we rent whenever we travel and need to rent a car. Ha!
So I get the whole opposition to mini van thing…believe me, I told myself I was going to be sporty Mom (I had a Jeep Cherokee)…but once I made the decision it was a life changer. (I know…a little dramatic). I had two kids in car seats and three big dogs (two 80-100 pound elderly labradors and a 140 pound Saint Bernard with hip dysplasia). The kids (especially my oldest) gained independence by getting into her seat) and the dogs could easily get into the van through the side doors…and oh does Toyota know how to cater to a Mom — who knew you needed that many cup holders?!? I’m on my second Toyota Sienna (which now has 120,000 miles) and my kids prefer my van to the Highlander much to my husband’s dismay. So…not really sporty Mom but a happy one at that :-)
Thought I’d mention I did buy the AWD as we live in Michigan and snow is an issue. It handles like a champ and I feel safe.
I have 3 kids under the age of 4 and have a Lexus RX. The only way I was able to fit 3 car seats was to purchase the Diono Radian car seats for my 2 older kids. They’re super slim and fit perfectly.
We have a Chevy Tahoe and we love it (we’re on our fourth one)! The one I have now is a 2016 LTZ model. I think it has just about every option imaginable, and then some. It works great for us with a 15-year old sophomore and 18-year old college student, as we are usually either concerned about carrying extra people, or extra stuff, but not usually both at the same time. (On the very few occasions we need to do that, we manage). There are captains chairs in the second row, and the third row folds flat (left and right sides separately) if we need to haul more stuff. You may want to consider a Suburban since you will have three little ones, and all the stuff (strollers, etc.) that goes along with them, since there is more storage space in the back. I can’t speak to the Suburban, but our Tahoe is very comfy and rides nice. Knock on wood, we have never had any big mechanical issues. Obviously the gas mileage isn’t great around town, but does much better on the highway. Plus, I love that it turns on a dime (unless in 4-wheel drive, which we really only use in the winter) – makes it really maneuverable for such a big vehicle. Good luck with your search!
As for the mystery Oreos, I am not a fan either. I read online that the flavor is Fruity Pepples. Someone brought them into work along with a box of Fruity Pepples and it seems true. The aroma is the same.
But on the other hand, have you tried the Hot Cocoa Oreos? I think they are terrific. Best one of these flavored Oreos in a long time
The boys are looking good! I can’t believe how tall Joseph is getting. Have not tried the new Oreos…just didn’t care for the “mystery” aspect. Have not decided on Thanksgiving menu yet….will be getting turkey today though…..sorry no clue on vehicle for you…have been watching “Doc Martin” on Netflix……have a great weekend
I can’t speak to the need for 3 car seats because I had only one child and she is 35 now. However, I have had my Subaru SUV for two years and I love the way it handles. The car really hugs the road in rain or snow. My mechanic frequently goes to Vermont and he said a lot of people there drive Subaru SUVs which says something since they have much more severe winters than we do here in New Jersey. The car also stops on a dime. A friend of mine was driving home at night on back roads and a deer ran in front of her. She hit the brakes and thought she was going to go off the road but instead the car stopped immediately and she was literally looking at the deer in headlights until it ran off. This was her first Subaru and after that, she said she will never buy any other car for the rest of her life. I agree with Sidra – car shopping is enough to make anyone lose their mind so take your time and if you get overwhelmed, set it aside and go play with Joseph, Dominic and Duke!
Honda Pilot. I have three kids and the pilot is wonderful! It seats 8 but isn’t huge. I love love love mine!!
We bought a Traverse which holds 7 comfortably. We have 2 captain chairs and the full bench in the last row. It is easy for our 6-year-old grandson to get to the back and buckle himself into the booster chair and the other two car seats sit in the captain chairs. Never thought I’d be buying a family vehicle in my retirement but we live close to our grandkids and get to have them often.
Looking forward to meeting your newest addition.
Re: cars — check out The Car Seat Lady (she has a website, Facebook, Instagram, etc). She has a vehicle guide for getting three car seats in. It is a large chart, but great for helping you make a decision that you won’t regret. Also just great tips in general. We were about to buy a Honda Pilot, but there is a funky plastic piece in the center of the second row that protrudes and will not allow three seats to fit across safely. We got our seats in, but it was not safe. We ended up with an Odyssey (never did I ever think, but practicality won out). We both appreciate it’s utility now. Plus we have two dogs to fit and lots of gear when we travel, SUVs have tiny trunks once you squeeze in that third row. All that said, The Car Seat Lady recommended the Nissan Murano because it has a super wide back seat, you can safely fit three car seats across, you still have trunk space, and you can get it in AWD (if you are concerned about winter). All the best!
Also — read the manuals! A 4Runner cannot fit three across safely (at least ours cannot per the manual). We have a 4Runner and love it, but cannot use it for our three kiddos. Most Toyotas are like this — the Rav4, Highlander, 4Runner. The Car Seat Lady has all of this info on her site, you just have to search and dig around.
One more plug for Car Seat Lady — she responded to my emails and gave personal recommendations. I am not sure if she always does this, but we lived too far for an in-person consult. She is a pediatrician and used to work at Columbia in NY. She wants kids to be safe. http://thecarseatlady.com/2017familyvehiclebuyingguide/
You ask for car suggestions: I bought a
chevy traverse in the fall of 2012 so I could take my son and his wife and 3 kids places with utilizing only 1 vehicle! I simply loved it, but Buick makes a similar car (Enclave)! The car body and style are almost identical, but the Buick interior may be just a tad fancier. I’ve been in both cars and you really can’t tell the difference in performance!
We recently had our third child. We have a Volvo XC90 that fits 3 across but it is CRAMPED. Also the baby seat only fits in the middle, and it’s hard to reach across and pull out the car seat.
I was anti minivan but we did end up getting one. It’s a Honda Odyssey. I really do appreciate the space and convenience! I recommend at least test driving one.
Have you looked at Diono car seats? They’re supposed to have a much more narrow profile. A friend has an Equinox (so no third row) and can fit her kids (4.5, 2.5, and 1) all in the backseat. Food for thought, as investing in new seats might be more economical than a new car. :)
I have two friends with 3 children – one drives the Subaru Forester and the other a Nissan Pathfinder and both are happy with them. I have 2 children and we have a Toyota 4Runner that we purchased used and it’s been so reliable so I would highly recommend the Toyota brand! We also tried out the Honda Pilot and it’s very spacious in there -was our second choice. Best of luck – car shopping is fun and trying at the same time : )
I tried 3 in a car but the poor child in the middle was pushed all the time. She’s on my side. Make life easier get a van .trips where so must better an the 3rd child would sleep an be happy..Good luck
With the birth of our third child, we finally bought a van. The real benefit is the automatic/push button sliding door feature. Very helpful when dropping off/picking up at school. And yes, do get bucket seats in the center row.
We have a Chrysler Pacifica – my husband wasn’t a van person at first either, but we both love this one. We stow one of the captain’s chairs in the second row. The older two sit in the third row and the youngest is in the other captain’s chair in the second row. With one stowed seat there is a lot of room to climb in and buckle kids, and a it provides a space for emergency car diaper changes or feedings. The sliding doors are the biggest advantage! You don’t have to worry about getting a bucket car seat in and out in a tight parking space and you don’t have to worry about little ones banging a car door into another car or wall next to you. Don’t write off the van without checking one out!
You should at least try out a mini-van. We have three kids in car seats and I am in LOVE with our Honda Odyssey! The back side doors open with a key fob or button on the dashboard which is amazing for carline, grocery shopping, any time your hands are too full to open a door. There is so much storage and head room. We have one kid in the very back row in the middle seat and the other two in the middle row on the sides with that middle seat down. Every kid has space and Can’t Touch Their Brothers! We’ve done several long road trips and every time has been so nice having so much space.
We have a Toyota Highlander XLE and although it’s a little pricey, it has so far been worth every. single. penny. We absolutely love it. We got the captains chairs and then there’s the 3rd row — it fits 4 kids comfortably (boosters and baby/convertible car seats) or 3 kids and the dog (we have a golden too!) so I highly recommend. Also good is the Honda Pilot. It is basically the same as the Highlander, our only reason for not getting it was my sister-in-law already has one and we didn’t want to match ;-) Best of luck with your search!
My sister has a highlander and LOVES it. And my Dad liked hers so much, he bought one for himself!
I don’t have a vehicle recommendation but for super narrow carseats, take a look at the Diono brand. They are convertible and could work for your boys. We fit 2 Dionos and an infant seat in my Honda Civic!
Yes! I second the dion recommendation. We have a radian that is quite narrow.
I third the diono radian rxt!
I fit 3 across (1 chicco infant bucket, 2 dionos) in my subaru outback with those. They’re perfect and though they are pricey car seats, they were cheaper than a couple years of car payments! (though I hate car shopping, so I might be biased)
Congratulations!! So exciting. I had a Yukon years ago that was wide enough for all the car seats and I absolutely loved it but trucks are tough when you are dealing with loading kids up and infant carriers…..Once my kids got a little older but were still in car seats and or boosters I opted for the Toyota Sienna. I missed by truck at the beginning but the mini van is awesome when you start car pooling for school and sports….its all wheel drive and has all of the amenities. Believe it or not its also great when 3 couples are going to a concert ;)
Concerning the large SUV… make sure it fits in your garage if that’s important to you.
It’s easy
to forget about when focused on other features.
I agree about a van. When I had small children, it was the best for children, golden retrievers, aging grandparents and groceries. My kids are grown up now and I have a Suburban which is great for camping (and moving college stuff and now their apartment stuff), but let me tell you it gets harder and harder getting into that huge car. Miss my Dodge Caravan.
We were in the same boat as you, car wise. My kids are 5, 3, and 5 months. I was adamant that I did not want a van. Deal was that I had to test drive at least one before writing them off. I was pleasantly surprised at how well they drive. If you’re used to driving an SUV, they drive the same. We went with the Chrysler Pacifica and I’m so glad we did. It’s so much easier to get the kids in and out and it can hold a ton more stuff in the ‘trunk’ than our SUV. I wish we had bought our van sooner.
Ohhh Amazon Pantry! I order Bai Peach Tea and Passion Fruit Teas by the case. Best price I can get, especially because I drink so much of it. Have ordered a few other things, usually hard to find products that I need for baking or candymaking, but the Bai teas are a regular order.
Good luck on your vehicle search. I drive a Ford Explorer, but not sure that that could handle What you need, although it’s been a fantastic and very reliable SUV.
I have to weigh in on the car – take a minivan out at least twice on test drives before you write it off. It is the EASIEST way to handle children in car seats. Plus, when you have another child to add to the mix (and you will be taking friends places), it’s no problem. I drove a minivan for ten years. Was not a fan when I started. So glad I did it because it made my life easier. Part 2 of my comment – flipping through my recipes for T-giving, most are from you. You are so generous sharing your recipes and techniques (and life!). I love your website and your FB page. Have a wonderful, blessed holiday season!
Hey Linda! I totally agree with you! I was reluctant the Toyota Sienna is so much easier and comfortable. The other challenge with a truck (unless you go w an Escalade XL) is once you get all the car seats in you are lucky if you can get 1 stroller in the trunk and 1 bag of groceries!
I haven’t seen those popcorn flavors yet, but I just bought the butter carmel corn and it was delicious! The kettle corn flavor is another favorite. I will be on the lookout for those holiday favors!
Oh, good luck with the car search! My husband and I just spent the last nine months dealing with that. We just had our third baby so we have three under five. We thought we would be able to swing it for a little bit in his car with three across but it was too tight with two car seats reverse facing. Honestly, there is no car that will be as comfortable or easy as a van but we are in the same boat as your husband and didn’t want a van. Whatever car you get you will need captain seats so it is easy to get to the back seat to buckle whoever is back there. We ended up getting a Lexus GX, which is good in all aspects but the trunk is totally useless! So…you have to pick and choose your battles. Subaru is coming out with a nice seven seater this year as well. Your best options are probably Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. The new Ford Explorer is really nice too! The other big SUV options are the Seqouia, Tahoe, and Expedition. Good luck with the search! I almost lost my mind haha.