I have a confession to make. I usually keep you all up to date on the latest happenings in my life, but I have <sort of> kept you in the dark about one thing (unless you read the very bottom of this post a few weeks ago). I’ve joined the dark side of motherhood. I got a new car minivan 2 weeks ago. A Toyota Sienna to be exact. I traded in my cute little Honda CR-V to become a full-fledged soccer mom in a minivan, BY CHOICE! (I can hear my single, childless friends gasping over the internet right now)
This isn’t even my first minivan either. When I moved to Rhode Island in January of 2005, my first company car was a silver Dodge Caravan. Mind you, I had just moved 1,800 miles away, knowing nobody, to a new state as a single 24 year old. Sure, a minivan was IDEAL *sarcasm*. I didn’t really care though, because part of my job was hauling *tons* of Listerine around to dental offices and that damn Caravan was FUNCTIONAL! I had planned on living in Rhode Island for only 2 years until I got promoted to headquarters in New Jersey. I only had the van for a short while though because I drove a million miles a year and the company replaced their company cars often.
So here I am- still in Rhode Island 7 years later: married with 2 children living the suburban dream. If my sorority girl <<ZTA>> self from 12 years ago could have seen me now, she would have died. That’s ok though, because I’m the happiest I’ve ever been– even if that is driving a minivan.
What I love about my Sienna are the following (in no particular order):
- power sliding doors (so much easier to get the kids in and out of their rear-facing seats)
- all the bells & whistles (because I’m a tech geek, I can’t help that features like streaming Pandora through my phone makes me smile)
- safety features (of course)
- the enormous storage area in the back
- 3rd row seating! I can finally take my parents out to dinner in one car when they visit from Florida!
- dual screen entertainment in the back!
- the swagger wagon video (where my motherfathers at?!)
Courtesy of Toyota
It’s funny how EVERYONE has a reaction when they see you driving a minivan. It’s almost always negative too (unless they’re a minivan-driving mom too). You know what? Their loss for not loving a swagger wagon 
Where are my minivan Mamas at?
2 Days Left 
Those who laugh will never understand….the MiniVan is the best vehicle ever!! I don’t know what I would do without the power sliding doors and being able to play Pandora on the Alvin and the Chipmunks channel so that hubby and I can talk while the kids rock out….don’t know if I could survive motherhood without it!!
Liz @ Learning to Juggle recently wrote Project 10 Week 6: Shifting into Success
I’m not sure when, but we’re going to be trading my car in for a minivan sometime in the near-distant future. Not sure what kind yet, but it took me a while to come to terms with this reality.
I also joined the “dark side” two years ago. After a miserable trip to Boca Raton from Tampa… we came home and bought a Honda Odyssey. I LOVE my mini-van! The power sliding doors are probably my favorite feature…
Kimberly L. recently wrote Boo-boo’s for Boo-Boo Bella
Minivans are THE BEST. I don’t even know what else to say. They just are.
Beth @ Me as a Mommy recently wrote He’s Three!!
You saw my Sienna at the Scary Mommy dinner! I love the thing! I think my favorite is the autromatic doors and hatch in the back. I’m driving 6 of us down to BlogHer and it will be awesome!
Kameron recently wrote Stepping up my fitness game
How did I miss the Swagger Wagon video?? LMAO So glad that was part of your post!! Congratulations on your Swagger Wagon!! Good luck and safe driving!!
Heather recently wrote Hi and Welcome!
Oh my gosh, I had never seen that video before. Hahaha, LOVE IT. I think we have finally settled on our new “family of 4″ car: honda odyssey. But I’ll be honest, that video really makes me want a sienna….
Emily @ Baby Dickey recently wrote My own little back seat driver
I love it! I’m a little jealous because I’d like to have all that storage space and third-row seating without buying a gas-guzzling SUV. I just can’t drive a minivan. It’s the stereotype attached to it. But kudos to you. I hope you enjoy it!
Bethanygp recently wrote Just Me