[waitinginnj]

mckenna - what happened to the car? I hope that everyone is safe and sound. What cars are you looking at?

Summer in NJ has been hot so far. We are getting ready for a vacation in Nags Head in a couple of weeks. We went to an agency reunion picnic for Memorial Day. We had a great time. First time that we really traveled since arriving back in the US.

Anyone else with exciting summer plans? Indy - how do you plan vacations for 8?

[mckenna]

some one ran into my stalled car, i was not in it so everyone was safe. i am looking at mini vans

i have been so anti mini van but i think it is the only smart choice. with 2 kids as they get older they will want to have a friend some times and i would not be able to fit both my kids and 2 friends in my car at the same time.

i am looking into the toyota sienna?? any thoughts?

we don't have summer vacation plans cuz we are going to disney world early next year!!! i cannot wait. my sister is going to stay with the baby and my son and i are going for a week.

[waitinginnj]

Sorry about the car. Yikes. I had to turn in my car last fall and I bought a Pontiac Vibe. Happier with it than I thought I would be. Didn't do the minivan thing for the two of us - but it was a fleeting thought. I went as practical as I could. I commute 1 1/2 hours each way so I needed some ammenities.

A friend of mine, with twins is considering the Toyota Siena - she really likes it. She usually is a pretty research oriented consumer. She hasn't made the purchase yet though.

Disney sounds great. I am not doing the parks until little one is older. But, we are doing the Disney cruise next May for a week. I think the park is too much at her age. We did the Disney Cruise and Park package a few years ago (pre daughter) as a family to celebrate the folks 40th Anniversary. Really liked it and they have a great play group set up - so I hope to get a little down time solo too. We are going with another friend from the board, who I met in Moscow and her husband and daughter.

This year is my whole extended family and my uncle's in one of those massive houses. I figure that we will really love or hate each other by the end.


Great to catch up a bit.

[JewelMarie]

My daughter is obsessed with having a dad. She prays about it all the time. I keep praying silently and telling God to give me until next year before he brings everyone into our lives. My daughter is 9 years old and came home 4 months ago. Although she has grown much, she still needs me a lot. So I decided to dedicate a full year to just nurturing her spirits. After that, the husband can come and the rest of the children can come. Yes she is also praying for siblings. lol.

Anyway, in our home, the dishes are the things that suffer around here. I can no longer keep the sink clean. It drives me nuts but I have to live with it.

Well I have to run.
Jewel

[mxf0068]

Just thought I drop in the conversation. Hope you don't mind.

I love being single!! (course this might be my coping mechanism for ...still being single at 30) I cannot change the cons of it..so I choose to live in denial and only revel in the pros.

No one to tell me what to do
No one to yell at when the dishes are still dirty (cause I left them there)
No one to take my share of the good morning kisses I get from my little boy.
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My son has started to ask about his dad. .. In a moment of complete absense of mind... I once responded to his question: " oh sweetie... most little kids need both a mommy and a daddy... You are so special that you only need a mommy... and a chippers (gramma)..uncle m auntie..etc." He loved it and hasn't asked me since. In fact he proudly tells his class..how special he his. Hopefully, he will still be proud of me when we hit puberty.
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The only downfall of being single..is the single income (thus...I cannot decide to just not work) I do feel extremely guilty for spending any additional time away from my son, however as he gets older..and spends time with friends vs a babysitter or gramma.. I think I won't feel so bad.

Thanks for letting me chime in

[mckenna]

hello single parents, long time no talk!!

i just discovered my new best friend!! i ordered my groceries on line and they were delivered to my home, all i had to do was put them away. it was so nice. such a time saver!!


the fee was only 12 extra dollars +tip. i only shop 2x/month and i can decide to use them once or twice depending on the weather it was just great!

anyone else got some good time savers????

[waitinginnj]

I am still waiting for the grocery service in my area. Which one are you using? It is only $6 around here, but not in my neighborhood yet. It seems so great! I'm jealous.

I wish I had some great time saving ideas to share.

I am buying birthday gifts in bulk. Finding one great idea and getting it made for a bunch of kids at one time. Simply will have to take it off of the shelf and put it in a gift bag when the birthday arrives. I try to do the same thing with cards. Buy a couple of a card I like, so that I have them at home, when an occassion calls for it.