Five Favs - Odyssey vs Town and Country

Back a few months ago after the wreck, our rental van was a Town and Country that we drove for nearly 3 weeks. Coming from an Odyssey there were some differences that I liked and didn't like so here goes for anyone who might be in the minivan market. Before buying a car again I would definitely try and rent a model or test-drive the car for more than 20 minutes just to really test the functionality of the car. You learn more about what you like and don't like the more you drive it. Example - I bought a Scion xA (back in the day) and I didn't realize it didn't have cruise control until after signing the papers and driving it off the lot! HA!

Anyways, here goes:

Do you know how stinking hard it is to get a minivan rental in a smaller market? Tough. 

Five Features of Town Country that we liked: 

1. Middle front console - This was a neat feature because to slid instead of popping open. If you know anything about me - I like to pack things in the van and not having the move everything to access the console was great. 

2. Unlocking doors when the van is turned off - This seems like not a big deal until it is. The Odyssey's come programed to keep the doors locked when the car is turned off. I cannot tell you how many times Lee and I have pressed the sliding door buttons only to get a BEEP-BEEP-BEEP from the van because the doors are locked. After 80,000 I finally got the people at Honda to reprogram our van but I drove a loaner Odyssey last week (hello, 3rd cylinder misfire and new timing belt) and that loaner had the same CRAZY feature of keeping the doors locked. SO DUMB!

3. Interior lighting - The lighting in the Town and Country is way nicer than the Odyssey. There are several more push lights as well as that blue middle tract lighting. (Again even in the 2016 loaner Odyssey they hadn't stepped up the lighting game)

4. 3rd row windows open - I'm not sure why the Odyssey 3rd row windows don't open but it seems weird to me. Not that we ride with windows down but just airing out the car is nice sometimes.

5. Digital speedometer - I just like having the speed digitally as well as on the little stick speedometer thingy. 

Five Features of Odyssey that we liked: 

1. Accelerating  - The Town and Country accelerating very loud and almost truck like. The Odyssey acceleration seemed much more smooth and seamless. 

2. Height - The height of the Odyssey is just a tad bit lower than the the Town and Country which makes it easier for smaller kids to get in and out. M has a little bit of a challenge throwing her leg up into the T&C - not a huge deal but just a noticeable difference. 

3. LATCH clips in third row - The Odyssey has at least 2 if not 3 sets of LATCH clips in the third row. I was surprised the Town and Country only has one set. Now that we have Britax CLICK TIGHT carseats - which I highly recommend - we don't need the LATCH but still curious why the T&C only has one. 

4. Longer - The Odyssey was just a bit longer than the Town and Country. I probably wouldn't have noticed had I not been parking in the garage and had a point of spacial comparison. Everything fit in the T&C perfectly fine. 

5. Center dash - I liked my maps and other screen in the Odyssey much better than the Town and Country. Maybe it is just because I was used to the Honda version but the Honda screen/maps/thing seemed a bit bigger and a little more intuitive. 

So that's all I have. Obviously price was not a factor here nor do I have an idea about what either of these vans costs. I have always heard Honda's have good resale values but I've never tried selling one so who knows. If I had to pick a new van today I'd still go with the Odyssey.

5 Favs - Thoughts on Being Snowed In..

Well actually we are iced in... What does that actually mean? Monday the girls were off for school - thank you Presidents Day - and Tuesday was the icing day and yesterday was icey roads day, today is all the shady spots did not melt at all day, and tomorrow will be arctic blast day. So five days. At home. With the kids.

Last year when it seemed we were perpetually snowed in every other week for 8 weeks I kinda got stir crazy and wasn't loving life because kids off school = no bueno for my schedule. This time I'm seeing these days off in a slightly different light. Basically, next year if we homeschool being at home all the time will be my reality - though in my grandest dreams the littles will still go to preschool so that I can focus the morning on getting school done.

Anyhow, I digress..

#1

The sleet and ice that snowed us in didn't actually completely cover all the grassy spots : ) 

We went sledding...

It loads of fun I promise!

That would be the sled I got for Christmas 15+ years ago : ) 

Normally when it is less than 60 degrees I veto going outside because I cannot stand being cold. But when there's snow on the ground I get overridden. The girls piled up ice and snow at the bottom of the slide to get alittle bit longer ride. 

Then we went on a walk down the street and I convinced them to sit down and ride the (really small) hill sitting down. They probably could have done that for several hours. They thought it was hilarious. 

# 2

I definitely have learned that once the playing gets out of control regrouping for some workbook/coloring time is good to break things up. And of course snack. However trying to get E to focus on a page is super difficult when R is calling for snack or E is trying to manage what R is coloring. 

# 3

We've done lots of puzzles... 

# 4 

We've done lots Legos 

#5 

There have been many tents built

Five Favs - First Day of Preschool Checklist

Everyone else has gotten their first day-o-school pics and posts pounded out… Here goes an eve of one of two

1. Bookbags = check

Notice R's will not be in action tomorrow but it is an exciting addition on our coat rack… (side note for anyone who cares - totes go to MMO; book bags go to 'class' - just so there is differentiation in their minds)

2. Snack made the night before = check

Because I can set the standard overly high for the first day and crash and burn by the end of the week and be throwing snack together during breakfast and wondering where the cups are as we are walking out the door.. that's me every day EXCEPT tomorrow (and maybe Thursday for R's first day)

3. First day of school breakfast = check

Tradition in our house I make breakfast. Me being totally on top of my game actually realized we were low on flour and purchased some today. Hopefully pancakes won't be nearly as messy as last year's waffles : ) #kitchenawesomeness

4. First day outfit = check

With a coordinating bow… Again I'm lucky to get a bow once a week and towards the end of school once a month but we're ready for tomorrow.

5. Homework = check

So E got some homework at Open House. Put (only) four things in this little bag and be able to share them with the class. E was not really sure about what to take so it has been a hot button issue all weekend. Goggles? Necklace from VBS? Legos? Have all be tossed around but she decided on

1. A seashell
2. A rock
3. A piece of plastic cheese
4 A plastic hamburger patty family picture

I SPECIFICALLY printed a family picture (since we have about none in the house) so that she could bring it to show her class her family - and also so the teacher know that we actually put some thought into this bag because seriously? A plastic hamburger patty????

Papa got a sneak peek at the stuff and he noted 'Hey that looks like Sonic the Hedgehog on the bag' and corrected him "No Papa! It's Dora"

E is so ready to get back into preschool. She has been talking about it for most of the summer. Tonight I was brushing her hair and we were talking about her new friends but she was very happy that 'her lovely Landon, who was in my 3-yr-old class' was going to be in her class and sit next to her… but she still wants to marry Harrison - as of this afternoon.

Five Favs - Funny Tweets from #edel14

So I'll actually do a post of substance about Edel. BUT in the mean time let's talk about the Tweets on the Jumbotron. Because some of them were stinking hilarious -some courtesy of the dads (aka the Edel Widowers). Props to all the dads and the grandparents who made it possible for all the mamas to get to Edel. Clearly we would not have been there without you… 

#5

#4

#3

#2

#1

Five Favs - Reasons Why I Love School is out for the Summer

Okay it's just preschool but you know

1. The girls take excellent rests

Well R is a pretty consistent rester anyways but E is pretty hit or miss and more along the lines of a whiny miss. But today I told her it was time for rest and bam she was out for 1.5 hrs. I guess that's what 4 hours of playtime will do to you. I'm a big fan of structured preschool stuff especially because E craves structure but there's something about running around and being on the playground that wears her out. Excellent. I walked in our room (where she rests) and she was just waking up and I asked her if she rested and she assured me she had NOT.

2. Lunch

I'm so bad at lunch. Lunch is always so rough around here anyways because we roll into the driveway a solid 45 minutes after the average person's lunch time. Today I realized things are going to get dicey soon with M because she is going to be a more vocal eater here really soon. R stole the show though and screamed for her milk cup (even though she was beet red from being outside) so cheese sticks all around - well not for M.

Evidence of peanut butter and butter sandwich

The most vocal and least vocal of the girls. I am thinking there will be a role reversal soon.

R proceeded to pick at her ham and cheese and E devoured her peanut butter and butter sandwich. Gag. I know but I was not up for an argument.

Must improve lunching skillz.

3. Playing outside

I LOVE being able to play outside usually in swim suits. Mainly because the screaming and crying and laughing and loud playing does not reverberate through the walls of the casa. But also because the girls love it. But a lot of it means there is less mess to clean up inside. #winning

Cobbler's kids don't have shoes. Poolman's kids don't have pools

Kibbe Family Pool. Not lying

4. Eating outside

I don't know about you but my kids are insanely not cleaning eaters. I don't want to say they are messy because it is not like they purposefully sit there and throw food on the floor or spill their drinks (though M is learning about gravity by forever dropping her sippy cup on the floor - which drives Papa absolutely bonkers).

ANYWAY we take advantage of being outside and then we'll just flow right into dinner whether on the front porch or back patio. No crumbs on the floor = a good meal in our house

5. Blackout curtains

Okay this like #2 is a bit sarcastic because I think it should read; if I had blackout curtains then I would really love the summer. Seriously, the window in the girls room gets the afternoon sun and sunset so it stay bright in there until later and later and later. Maybe one day we will get around to getting some blackout curtains and shades and shutters or something but for now we get to listen to the silly sisters laugh-it-up for nearly an hour after they've gone to bed

Five Favs - Overheard yet again

Sorry yet another overhead 5 favs…. and Papa was feeling left out of the blog-o-greatness

1. At lunch one day...

E - Those look like little la-lup thangs?
Lee - ?
E- You know la-lups…
Lee - No I don't know
E - You know, la-lups they go click click click

2. Since when do 4 month olds NOT wear diapers?

Me - Can you keep an eye on the girls?
Lee - Chicky I'm in the middle of cooking!
Me - Well M just peed on me!!!!!!!
Lee - Oh. Was she wearing a diaper?

3. Not even gonna lie; this conversation really happened!

Lee - You don't like figs?
Me - No
Lee - And you don't like locusts and honey. You have a very unbibical diet Chicky
Me - ????

4. Love this kid... 

R - Who DAAAAT

5. While reading books with Papa

Lee - Oh the Lion King
E - {strange look}
Me - That's Beauty and the Beast. Come on, you need to read up on your princesses!

Five Favoritos - Overheard Edition

We've had a few gems recently so I just had to share

1. Thank goodness we have not had crazy weather this week...

E - And school was deleted today
Jibbe - What?
E - School was deleted today… because it was too cold!

2. The girls are fascinated by Papa's shaving activities

Papa - I have not shaved in a while
E - Yeah and sometimes your beard is colorful…
Papa - Ummm.. okay
E - Yeaaa… you know with all those squares in there
Papa - I have no idea what you are saying

3. Respect your elders

E - Why you didn' obey me?
R - Be-cuz

E - Why you didn' obey me? 

4. I think I'd rather crawl under a a large boulder 

Teacher - Okay R get a sucker out of the treat box
E - Mama does not like that word!
Teacher - I mean lollipop
Me - I am really sorry!
{insert discussion with 3 yr old about correcting adults}

5. While in the kitchen with Papa

E- Papa when are you going to put on your twig?
Lee - I don't know what you are talking about E
E - Your little twiggy thang?
Lee - You mean my apron?
E - Ya that

Five Favs - Marti Gras Through the Years

Just a trip down memory lane because I mandate recurring event pictures like this. 

1. 2010

Kicking things off...

2. 2011

Can you believe this is little E? Neither can I!!!!

3. 2012

R was born on the eve of the Marti Gras party this year. I had high hopes to get there because the food is amazing but bebe had other plans. Which was fine... I guess : )  

4. 2013

Hey, I just noticed Lee is wearing the same shirt he did last year... Maybe he should revisit other purple or green shirts. Oh and so most definitely pregnant in this picture.

5. 2014

This year's par-tay was a blast. The girls were as well behaved as they'll get when there's a whole bunch of 'strangers' around. The King Cake was AWESOME. Lee should take notes because E got the baby in her cake this year. Well technically the piece that was intended for her had the baby but she wanted a piece with green sprinkles, please. "Next week we'll bring the baby" because who's not up for another Marti Gras party AND another baby... next week? Next YEAR Lee and E are on the hook for the cake and we have the King-Cake-baby to prove it.

5 Favs - IT IS BLIZZARDING OUTSIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Snow + ice = insanity in Eastern NC… Here's what I did before all the craziness on the roads began!

1. Laundry

No dish towels… Hopefully we'll have power to do the rest of this mess!

2. Grocery Store

Got M

Essentials + Valentine's Day Candy

Bananas, hot dogs, bread etc… 

3. Pay Mortgage

Don't need to get the eviction notice during the snow : ) 

4. Pick up taxes

Totally unnecessary but always like to know we'll be getting some of our hard earned $$$ back!

5. Go to work

Got some last minute stuff done at the office. Left seriously in the knick of time….