Birthdays, Vehicles and Meal Prep
From Our Members... 
Originally printed in April, 2005

Recently, the following questions were asked of members on the online 
TMM Discussion List: 


“We are having a big 1st birthday party because we come from a big family.  
Everyone is asking what I need or want for the kids’ birthday.  If it is 
over $100, we can have them give combined gifts, but they were really 
pushing me on what I need... so, veteran moms:  what do I need for the 
next year?”    ~Lisa

Diapers, diapers, diapers and a family-plus-two pass to Zoo New England 
(Stone Zoo and Franklin Park).    ~Jeanne

What I got a lot of were gift cards to different stores where I could buy 
anything that I needed for the boys in the future.  I keep all my gift cards 
in a separate wallet and it is so much fun to shop for free when ever I need 
something for the boys.  Once they start walking, you may want to take them 
to some sort of gym classes too so that they can run around; maybe a paid 
membership to a gym class of some sort.    ~MaryLou

Outside items: Swings, shovels, wagon, mini trampoline, tricycles, Cozy Coupes, 
playhouse.  Inside items: tents, tunnels, parachutes, bowling set… Little 
People items are a hit... Or now, there are the Weebles...    ~Nancy

I would ask for gift certificates to toy/clothing stores.  You are going to 
need toys all the time.  Also, if you are planning to take them to the YMCA,
 maybe help with that payment.    ~Rena

An afternoon or night of babysitting so tired parents can rest, go out, or 
do whatever they please!    ~Karen

I cannot support enough Jeanne's suggestion for family passes.  Our kids have 
never been without food, clothes or diapers... but, it's the "extra-specials" 
that we tend to miss/avoid.  Some of the nicest gifts we've ever gotten have 
all been luxuries that practical parents on a tight budget would never be 
able to afford.  My sister took us all to a Wiggles show a few months back 
and we had a blast.  She also bought us for Christmas, not just a family-of-5 
membership to the Children's Museum, but thought enough to get a family-of-8, 
in case we ever wanted to go with others.   We used some extra cash last year 
and bought the Zoo of New England family membership and I swear, it was the 
best $55 I've spent in YEARS.  We've easily been to the Franklin Park/Stone/Roger 
Williams zoos a total of 30+ times since last May (would have cost us over 
$540 otherwise!).  Another luxury I couldn't do without during the second 
year was a portable DVD player for your vehicle.    ~Renée


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“My 6'4" husband and I have just started the process of looking for a new vehicle 
that will fit our family of 4-month old triplets and a 3-year old dog.  I 
know most families are driving the Honda Odyssey, but my husband didn't fit 
comfortably in it.  Does anyone have any suggestions on which vehicles we 
should take a look at, and which vehicles fit the triplet stroller?”    ~Kari

We avoided the minivans because we had a quad stroller and the minivans 
wouldn't fit it.  We purchased the Chevy Suburban and I love it.  We have 
8-month old triplets and a 2-year old.  [The Suburban] fits the Peg Perego 
triple stroller or our quad stroller.  Some people commented that with having 
the Suburban, it won't be easy to get into the back row.  That is a myth!  
In fact, it is just as easy as a minivan if not easier.  The second row of 
the Suburban seats three, but you can fold down one seat.  I keep that seat 
folded down all the time unless I need it, and it is a similar setup as a 
minivan.  As for pricing, it costs just as much as the Toyota because there 
are always specials from GM.  It is worth a look and a test drive.    ~Deb

In general, all of the foreign-made vans are way too small.  That is why we 
settled for the Dodge Grand Caravan.  This is the only "normal" sized van that 
we felt comfortable in and be able to fit our quad Runabout.  I am 6', and with 
the seat all the way back, I usually pull it up a couple of notches.  The Grand 
Caravan is also one of the few vehicles that are wide enough to fit three car 
seats across.  This only works for the rear-most seat.  The van comes in either 
a 3.3L or sporty 3.8.  Either way, plenty of power.  As for trim, we got the 
lower trim model.  The doors are plastic.  Tends to be easier for cleanup.    ~Steve

We drive a Pontiac Montana (we also owned the previous version, called Transport, 
when the girls were babies).  It is the extended bed version that fits eight 
passengers (has DVD package also).  The seating is modular, so you can take 
out/leave in any rear seats you want.  We love it.  Not sure about the stroller 
fit (we had a triple jogger that fit, but it collapsed so only needed width 
accommodation).  We have taken the girls, my parents, and their golden retriever 
out to dinner with us in it though (no stroller!).    ~Lisa

We have the Dodge Grand Caravan.  It fit the Peg Perego stroller in the 
back and we usually traveled with our black lab on the floor around 
the seats.  I know people with the Runabout get a hitch to travel with 
the stroller on the back.  We've been very happy with our minivan.  
It's now 7-years old.    ~Laurie

We drive a Chevy Suburban.  My husband works at the dealer - if you 
care to look with a friendly face, he is willing to help you out.  
[The Suburban] fits the three kids, Runabout stroller, extra passengers 
and/or my mom’s german shepherd.    ~Debbie

We have the Chevrolet Venture Warner Bros edition - seats 8 (same car 
as the Pontiac Montana mentioned above).  I have a Peg Perego triplet 
stroller - fits in back.  We keep the third row seat folded down, for 
the extra room.  The kids are three-across in the second row.  Both 
driver and passenger seats are very roomy - comfortable, lots of leg 
room.    ~Linda

We went through the same thing.  We liked the Nissan Quest but it was a 
joke to think that you could fit a triplet stroller in there.  We looked 
at the minivan options too, but when the third row seat was in, there was 
no room behind it for a pet or a stroller.  We ended up going with a Chevy 
Suburban.  It is the Z71 model.  It has the third row and room behind the 
seat.  We also liked it because the entertainment and sun package came standard.  
My husband and I have a foot difference in height, so we were happy to see 
that you can adjust the seat and foot pedals to fit each of us and set it so 
the truck remembers it.  We are able to leave the third row seat in, flip it 
up and have the triplet stroller in the back.  Currently, we have the third 
row seat out, that way we just push the stroller in straight.  When the third 
row seat is folded up, we have the stroller on a diagonal.  When we have more 
passengers in the truck, we bought the trailer hitch and attach the Runabout 
to the back.  When the third row seat is being used, there is still room in 
the back.  We have a 55-lb. lab and had a 65-lb. german shepherd and they fit 
in the back comfortably.  It handles great on the roads.  The day of the snow 
storm, I was able to make it around our town to help relatives dig out.  Most 
of their roads had seen a plow once during the storm.  We have also pulled 
vehicles out of snow situations.  I will tell you that I was very jealous the 
other day because I watched a mom walk out of Mc Donald's, click a button, and 
her minivan door slid open.  It was the only time, I think, I regretted buying 
a SUV over a minivan.    ~Gina


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“I'm finding that I am in a rut with meal and menu planning for my family 
(23mo triplets and a 3yo).  They are all eating whatever I make for my husband 
and myself, but lately, I seem to be making all of the same things or 
resorting to pizza, macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, etc.  I started out really
well with balanced meals, vegetables, casseroles, etc., but lately, just seem 
to have no inspiration.”    ~Nancy

Although spaghetti or pasta with butter/sauce is quite boring, it's a decent 
meal and the kids usually love it (as well as the parents when you throw in a 
salad and garlic bread).  Also, try creative egg dishes, i.e. omelets or check 
on-line for other ideas.  There's actually a great recipe on the side of the 
Bisquick box.  They're nutritious and you can usually hide some veggies in them.  
What about hamburger, chicken or Tuna Helper dishes?  Those were usually popular.  
Sloppy Joes are also very popular.  Chicken noodle soup or homemade chicken stew.  
I know these are all fairly basic but usually popular.  Our kids went through a 
time (age 3-6?) when they had a very limited selection of foods they liked.  And, 
sometimes, they would eat one item every day for two weeks and then, all of a 
sudden, not like it and move on to something else.  I believe this is very common 
with kids.  Now that they're seven, they are actually expanding their palates 
and trying many new things.    ~Bonny

I feel your pain.  I am in a total slump with meals lately.  The best was Sunday 
night when I served hotdogs, french fires and chocolate milk -- even the kids said, 
“where are the vegetables?”  When I asked my darling husband what he would like, 
he said, "roasted leg of lamb."  Thanks!!!!  Macaroni and cheese is a big one at 
our house; fish sticks have overtaken chicken nuggets; Campbell's goldfish soup - 
I put in extra carrot bits and noodles.  Spaghetti is usually a once-a-week 
staple.  Lately, Boar's Head ham has been a real hit, cut into little pieces, 
it does not have any fat and is very easy to chew.    ~Mary Beth

When my boys were about the same age as your triplets, I had the same food 
schedule for every day of the week.  It simplified grocery shopping and the brain 
function for me.  My husband has never complained about a meal I prepared, even 
if it was scrambled eggs and toast.  Some days, that's all I could do.  I make 
my own macaroni and cheese.  It's very easy and there aren't any extra additives 
in it.  Some nights, I would make pancakes.  I didn't give the boys syrup until 
they were a lot older.  I would chop up apples and other fruit to put in the 
pancakes.  I would still serve a veggie or another kind of fruit.  You could even 
get a breakfast sausage.  Do you make your own pizza?  You can buy a bag of dough 
at Shaw's for $1 and then, put whatever you want on it.  I never gave them plain 
cheese.  I'd put sausage, mushrooms, black olives, whatever on it.  You can make 
one for you and hubby: buy a jar of alfredo sauce, put on steamed broccoli and 
cooked chicken.  Top with cheese.  Yummy.  Another great food for hiding 
[ingredients] is meatloaf.  Grate carrots or other veggies into it.  Ben can 
pick out onions, so I switched to dried minced onions just for flavor.  Serve
with sweet potatoes.  (They're orange.  Orange food is always good I hear.)  
I have never made more than one meal for dinner.  We all eat at the same time
and all eat the same food.  To this day, I make Noah eat at least two of his 
veggies although he can't stand any of them.    ~Laurie

I think this is something we have all gone through at one time or another.  
I am always looking for new names to call the meals for the kids.  For instance, 
I had made beef stew for dinner and the kids didn't want it, so, after telling 
them the three little pigs story the previous night, we renamed it “Wolf Stew” 
and now they ask for it at least once a week.  I make rice and put veggies in 
it - peas, carrots, corn, whatever I have that is in small bite-size pieces.  
They liked watching Rolie Polie Olie, so I told them that the Rolie Polie mothers 
sent me the recipe and that it was their favorite, so we now have 
“Rolie Polie Rice.”  Chicken Pie is a great thing.  I use Pillsbury 
piecrust and leftover chicken with veggies, make mashed potatoes and biscuits.  
I cook a pot roast in a dutch oven or slow cooker with carrots and spuds.  
Some of out favorites are corn chowder, baked macaroni and cheese.  Try Kraft 
Food’s website (www.kraftfoods.com) which has lots of good ideas.    ~Maureen

A quick tasty meal that my kids love is what my family grew up calling mince.  
You make mashed potatoes, grill up some ground beef in a skillet and boil 
carrots - not in water but in Knorr tomato (previously called oxtail) soup.  
Mix the meat, carrots and soup.  Dish out spuds and pour meat mixture over.  
My daughter Kayla has started turning her nose up to carrots, but what I do 
is puree the dinner before feeding it to her.  The three of them love it!!!  
Another idea is, if your kids like pizza, try using BBQ sauce instead of 
tomato.  Add grilled chicken or strips of beef!    ~Elaine

I know how hard it is to come up with something different everyday.  I love 
cooking.  It is one of my hobbies, so I cook everyday and everything from 
scratch.  What I do is write down on Saturday all the meals that I will be 
cooking during the week.  It works out better for me to plan ahead for two 
reasons: 1. I pick a variety of meals.  2. I get my food shopping done on 
Saturday and buy everything I need for the meals/week.  I make sure that e
very week they get one meal with the following: 1. Beans; 2. Soup 
(vegetable with chicken or beef); 3. Pasta; 4. Vegetable-based casserole;
5. Chicken/beef; and 6. Fish.  For example, this week, we had a meal 
with lentils (made out of lentils, onions, a little rice and water).  
I usually use the lentils meal for lunch; I make enough for two days.  
I also made Chicken Cacciatore (I use Emeril's recipe for this - mushrooms, 
onions, garlic, chicken stock, wine, chicken and some herbs) with spaghetti.  
They had this for two nights. (I baked some fish fillets too tonight with 
the left over cacciatore.)  I made chicken soup (I clean and boil the 
chicken at home.  Once cooked, I use the stock to boil the vegetables 
(carrots, zucchini, green beans, celery, onions, red peppers and tomatoes), 
then, at the end, I add some orzo (small noodles).  I make the chicken soup 
every-other week, and freeze some for the following week - that way, 
every week they can have the chicken soup/beef soup.  Tomorrow's lunch 
will be an asparagus omelet and for dinner, meatloaf, with some potatoes 
on the side, and broccoli.  Friday, I will be cooking a dinner based on 
eggplant (I peel small eggplant, fry them, cut them in the middle, then 
stuff them with some hamburger meat.  Once the eggplants are stuffed, I 
layer them in a pan, top with the remaining meat, then cover with tomato 
sauce, then let simmer in stove.  You can make some white rice on the 
side with this).  Saturday, I will be making stew (peas, carrots, potatoes, 
and meat simmered with sauce).  Sometimes I use the dinner leftovers for 
their lunch and give them the new meal for dinner.  What you can do too, 
is cook two days a week and freeze for the rest of the week.    ~Rena

I echo your concern, Nancy, since my 28-month olds are totally in a rut 
and only consistently eat PB&J, fruit and varieties of toast.  I give them 
other things, of course, but it's rarely eaten by all three kids.  They 
will eat better off of our plates, and ketchup, BBQ sauce, and dressings 
do help.  Teriyaki chicken and sweet and sour kielbasa have gone over well 
lately, but that's not to say it will tomorrow.  I can also sneak ham or 
turkey or tomatoes into grilled cheese if it's sliced thin enough.  Nearly 
everyone I know with a 2-year old has complained about their kids not 
eating enough variety.  I keep reading about the 15 tries it takes to get 
a child to like a particular food, but that's assuming they'll even taste 
it.  My three flat-out refuse to open their mouths a lot of the time!  For 
Christmas one year pre-kids, my mother gave me a cookbook called, "One Bite 
Won't Kill You" that's good for family cooking.    ~Thea

Thank you to everyone SO MUCH for all of the great suggestions for the 
dinnertime menus!  You all inspired me to go grocery shopping in the snow 
yesterday (with all four kids!) and start a menu plan for the week.  We had 
a great one-dish chicken and vegetable stew over egg noodles last night 
(and for lunch today) and tonight, they cleaned their plates with two 
helpings of ham and broccoli omelets (thanks, Bonny) and homemade hash 
browns of a combination of regular potatoes and sweet potatoes with parsley 
and some cheese.  We couldn't make it all fast enough for them.  My husband 
was quite impressed.  Even our daughter, who will not touch scrambled eggs 
(for no obvious reason), had two helpings of the omelet.  Oh, yes, and 
they started out with an "appetizer" of grape tomatoes, cucumber and 
baby carrots with drizzled ranch dressing.  Not bad for a bunch of almost 
2-year olds!  Thank you for all taking the time to help us out.  What a 
great group!    ~Nancy