Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Mini Van Chronicles: Its a Bugs Life

It is against my better judgement to write this, but in a fit of frustration regarding the condition of the vans interior, I sent the kids outside to clean my car. It was their trash, their water bottles, their crunched up snacks--not to mention their socks, shoes, papers, and clothing. 

I had had enough of cleaning it all by myself.

Imagine my shock (and Dad, today is not the day I would want you to start reading my blog) when The Girl came running into the house with a panic stricken look on her face saying "I promise, I will NEVER eat in the car again! Please don't be mad."

In the time span of about two seconds I had a myriad of possibilities swimming through my head, but when she said, "The Boy found a pile of little white worms eating the crumbs on the floor!" wasn't one of them.

Then, as my mind tried to comprehend the problem at hand, she started a cry that would surely have won her an Oscar. 

Being ever so compassionate, I told her we hadn't any time for hysterics. We have a matinee to get to in just over two hours and I wasn't driving in a Maggot Mobile. 

They had to clean it. And quick. 

So there you have it. I am mean, and the kids are outside frantically vacuuming the car and making it all clean....and bug free. 

24 comments:

Amber said...

Nice. Maggots.

Last summer our minivan was infested with ants. Hundreds and thousands of ants. So gross.

The boys? Still eating in the car.

Anonymous said...

okay.. I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.. I need to go clean my car now!

Carpool Queen said...

Oh, you're a good mom. I might have been tempted to rescue them, but you stood your ground!!! Good for you.

And, eeewwww....

Heather said...

Oh yes, we have encountered those lovely little things before, though my kids were not nearly as freeaked out about them (they are more of the "cool!" sort of kids about all things gross and squishy). And I know all about the mean mom making the kids clean up their own gross mess--wish my kids responded by actually not making the messes (recently made my kids scrub, on hands and knees, the kitchen floor for similar reasons.)

His Girl said...

oh, dear. sending you prayers for a bug-free van and the return of dignity (along with a healthy dose of 'I've been in a very similar place' as well)

Jewel said...

Ewwwwww....

but seriously I just love how your posts help me feel better about my own life and the messes I run into. If you could see my suburban and it's 3rd seat...no maggots, but when I get around to cleaning it I'm always amazed that the kids ride back there sitting in the midst of crumbs and stickiness. On those occasions I often think of many words to describe my kids that I mumble to myself out of their earshot of course.

And when I clean their room it's not uncommon to find an old half eaten sandwich or something moldy and unidentifiable.

Was I that bad when I was young? I'll have to ask my mom.

meh said...

Ick!!! And I am suddenly not feeling nearly so bad about my own van! Haha!! (Come one, I am laughing WITH you, Kellie!!!) Looking forward to your visit! (Did I really just put exclamation points on every ever-lovin' sentence in this reply?!)

Deidre said...

Oh my - I would have caved and helped them (I think) although I'm learning what a huge enabler I am.

We're heading out to the van now :)

jen said...

...gagging a little and laughing out loud! That is aweful - so aweful that I am telling my children THAT very story and sending them out to clean my van right NOW! (Okay, tomorrow.)

Blue Skies said...

Did I ever tell you about the time when we were going to church with hubby's aunt and uncle? I was squeezing in between the two car seats in the VERY BACK row of the van. When I got out, on my cute black capri covered behind, was a nice collection of crumbs and other food leftovers. Nice. It didn't fall off on its own, it had to be brushed off. After everyone had their good laugh. lovely. We've gotten an ant infestation before as well. While we were at an Alabama state park.

Jackie said...

Well, if you're a mean mom, then I am too, because that's exactly what I would have done, too. Yikes! Makes me wonder what is lurking in my car....

Musings of a Housewife said...

No WAY. I have seen maggots once. In a college apartment. It was not my job to take care of them, fortunately. BLECH!!!

And good for you for standing your ground!

Lori said...

Oh, boy! Thanks for the reminder to clean out the family car soon. I'll be joining your other readers outside in a moment... ;)

stephanie j. said...

Send them over here. Our backseat definitely has some worm fodder, too.

really.truly said...

ok...I've had mold growing in ours, but never maggots. Ewww. Oh my!

kathy said...

OMGoodness! You have fun with your words when you tell us your life. Love it! Gross, but love it.

I'm sorry I've been absent, I left a post on my blog explaining everything.

Hillcrest Cottage said...

"What that smell?" is always the beginning of something nasty brewing in the car.
Once, we found a dead, flattened tree frog under the car mat.
Another time, ground beef in those roll-type packages (last time I bought one) had rolled out of a grocery sack and under the seat where it baked in 100 degree plus temps for 3 days. It was a tad bit expanded and very stinky!

Anonymous said...

Do I have to come out there and clean your van again? Didn't I just clean it in Texas a few years ago?

Remember, Febreeze. It's good stuff.

Mr.Moofish

Anonymous said...

Ew. Ew, ewww, ewwwwwww!!!!

I'm not very compassionate when the drama starts either.

I think I'll clean my van today.

Woman Interrupted said...

Good for you...yuck! We're about to have a similar scene b/c my son thinks its OK to finish his juice box and let it drop to the floor of the car!?!

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

That definitely trumps the LICE story, Kellie.

Gross, gross, GROSS.

Can I request a nice, happy, fluffy post next? :)

Kathy said...

Oh, MAN, have I EVER lived this!! {thinking of how disgusting my Excursion is...and how it's WAY past time for it to be cleaned out again}. No maggots, yet, thankfully.;-)

lisa@littlesliceoflife said...

Ewwwww!!!!

You've got me beat. I just had dog vomit in my car.

Gretchen said...

Remember those jokes when we were young? What's grosser than gross?

Yep.

Wondertwins unite: form of? A mean mom. Rock on.