good news, bad news

I have two bits of important news and absolutely no idea how to segue from one to the other. I suppose I could write two separate entries, but that would be too much like work. So you'll just have to bear with me.

Up first: we bought a minivan! I am totally a soccer mom now, the more so because I am so excited about this. It's a Toyota Sienna. We'll actually take possession early next week, because its being shipped in from another dealer in the region, and then - I say with a mixture of enthusiasm and embarressment - the DVD system needs to be installed. I haven't even mentioned that part to the kids yet; they are totally going to spazz out when they get the news. Meantime, we traded in the Saturn and Rich is driving a bright red loaner car, so he looks all cool for a day or two, till he switches to driving the Camry. Which I also love, but it is probably even less cool than the minivan, being all scratched and battered looking. (But it runs great! Years of use still in that car! Just not even slightly pretty.)

And now to completely switch gears, because the other thing happening around here is Halloween, and Nick is sick. Probably with what I had last week. He was throwing up all night and all morning, and is now lying on the couch, sipping water and feeling miserable and sorry for himself. We're still hoping he might be able to go out tonight, but trick-or-treating will clearly have to be curtailed, and he can't actually eat any candy till he recovers. This is about the worst day of the year for a little kid to get sick. I feel very bad for him.