YOUR CHILDREN ARE THE ENEMY, NOT YOUR HUSBAND

Summary

The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Episode: YOUR CHILDREN ARE THE ENEMY, NOT YOUR HUSBAND
Release Date: October 31, 2024

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Introduction

In this spirited episode of The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz, hosts Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John dive deep into the complexities of parenting, marital dynamics, and the ever-evolving auto industry. Skipping over the initial advertisements, the sisters jump straight into relatable conversations, blending humor with insightful discussions that resonate with millennial parents navigating the challenges of modern family life.

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Parenting Challenges and Marital Dynamics

Kelly opens the conversation by humorously highlighting the Olympic-level task of coordinating family outfits, setting the tone for a heartfelt exchange about the strains of parenting.

• Outfit Coordination:
  Kelly (03:00): "finding coordinating outfits for every single person in your family. It is so hard."

The conversation swiftly moves to the pressures of balancing work-from-home responsibilities with parenting four young children. Lizz shares her recent experience with sleep deprivation and the inconsistent growth patterns of her children, shedding light on the unexpected hurdles mothers face.

• Sleep Deprivation and Growth Concerns:
  Kelly (03:04): "I cannot get over this. I just had Sloan's one month appointment checkup, and she is still smaller in weight and height than Libby was when she was born."

Lizz reflects on her family's history of larger babies, contrasting it with her current experience, and the discussion evolves into the emotional toll of parenting multiple young children.

• Emotional Toll of Parenting:
  Liz (19:41): "four kids has been really... I have a Tony's box going, a TV going, two kids crying. And that is."

The sisters candidly discuss the frustrations that can arise between partners, emphasizing that the real challenges stem from the children rather than from each other.

• Children as the Real Challenge:
  Kelly (15:44): "Your children are the enemy, and it's not your partner."

They delve into strategies for maintaining marital harmony, such as reflecting on the root causes of frustration and reinforcing the idea that both partners are on the same team.

• Maintaining Marital Harmony:
  Liz (16:04): "We are both going through this really hard thing together."

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Gen Z Slang: Aura Points

Shifting gears, Kelly introduces the millennial word of the day, unpacking Gen Z slang to bridge the generational gap in language.

• Understanding Aura Points:
  Kelly (11:09): "An aura is being cool or respected, but when a person does something embarrassing or not seen in a good light, they will lose aura points."

Lizz reflects on the rapid evolution of Gen Z slang, noting how trends emerge and fade quickly, often tied to viral content.

• Evolution of Slang:
  Liz (12:42): "Gen Z's have so much more slang than the millennials did, because everyone's watching, like, similar content."

They discuss how certain terms, like "demure," quickly lose popularity, illustrating the fast-paced nature of contemporary language trends.

• Rapid Slang Trends:
  Kelly (13:28): "It's losing aura points."

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Family Photo Coordination

The sisters share their trials and triumphs in coordinating family outfits for photos, a task many parents find daunting.

• Coordinating Outfits:
  Kelly (25:54): "finding coordinating outfits for every single person in your family. It is so hard."

Lizz suggests innovative ideas for simplifying the process, such as using popular color schemes and providing active links to outfit options, highlighting a potential opportunity for influencers to tap into this niche.

• Simplifying Family Photos:
  Liz (27:19): "But some of them are active. Here's my family photo advice."

They exchange tips on balance between prints and solids, the importance of making the parents stand out, and share personal anecdotes about their own family photo experiences.

• Personal Anecdotes:
  Kelly (29:31): "I'm a month postpartum, and I braved putting on jeans, and they did fit."

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Gift-Giving Advice: Balancing Budgets

Addressing listener questions, Kelly and Lizz discuss navigating the complexities of gift exchanges during the holidays, emphasizing fairness without overspending.

• Listener Question on Gift Budgets:
  Kelly (31:11): "Does that mean I should spend $60 on her one kid?"

Lizz advises maintaining consistent spending per child, suggesting continued adherence to the $20 budget to avoid financial strain.

• Consistent Spending Advice:
  Liz (32:42): "I think I would spend $20."

They explore alternative gift exchange methods, such as secret Santa themed around books or snacks, fostering a sense of community and reducing individual expenses.

• Alternative Gift Exchange Ideas:
  Liz (33:28): "We do a secret Santa, but we're doing books."

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Auto Industry Insights

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing the latest trends and news in the auto industry, leveraging Kelly and Lizz's expertise as third-generation auto-industry experts.

• Ford Bronco Sales Decline:
  Liz (35:34): "US sales of the Ford Bronco SUV are down 16% this year."

They reminisce about the hype surrounding the Ford Bronco and Kia Telluride, critiquing the inflated prices and the subsequent normalization of sales figures.

• Hype and Normalization:
  Kelly (36:12): "People were paying such a ridiculous amount over sticker for these Broncos."

Discussion shifts to the Motor Trend SUV of the Year announcement, revealing the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus as the winner. They contrast perceptions of luxury SUVs, debating the prestige associated with models like the Lincoln Escalade versus the Audi Navigator.

• Motor Trend SUV of the Year:
  Liz (37:59): "It's the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus."

They also critique the practicality of large SUVs with subpar third-row seating, using the new Infiniti QX80 as an example of a vehicle that fails to meet family-friendly standards despite its luxurious features.

• Practicality vs. Luxury:
  Liz (40:31): "If you don't have to use the third row, why would you ever choose to get 15 miles per gallon?"

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Halloween Traditions and Family Fun

With Halloween coinciding with the episode's release, Kelly and Lizz share their unique Trick-or-Treat traditions, incorporating jokes to engage their children and foster social skills.

• Halloween Joke Tradition:
  Liz (45:24): "Why does a chicken coop only have two doors? Because if it had four doors, it'd be a sedan."

They illustrate how these traditions not only make Halloween more interactive for their kids but also add a layer of fun and learning to the festivities.

• Engaging Kids with Jokes:
  Kelly (46:14): "It's precious."

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Cooking Segment: Ditch the Drive Thru

Introducing their "Ditch the Drive Thru" segment, Kelly and Lizz offer creative dinner recipes to help listeners avoid the monotony of standard takeout meals.

• Lemon Pepper Chicken Caesar Salad with Noodles:
  Liz (47:11): "Boil penny noodles or noodles of your choice. Cube chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Sauté them in a skillet with lemon pepper seasoning."

While debating the inclusion of lettuce in the dish, they highlight the importance of versatile, family-friendly recipes that accommodate dietary needs and preferences.

• Recipe Discussion:
  Kelly (48:00): "So, it has noodles and lettuce. Lettuce in it?"

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Supporting Families Through Loss: Blake's Besties Segment

Towards the end of the episode, Kelly and Lizz introduce a poignant segment dedicated to families who have experienced infant or pregnancy loss. Inspired by listener Rachel's story, Blake's Besties aims to honor and remember lost children through shared memories and stories.

• Introduction to Blake's Besties:
  Kelly (48:54): "We have to start thinking about our Calm Car of the Year finalists and who's going to be on it."

• Encouraging Open Dialogue:
  Liz (51:26): "I think that a really big part of it is, like, being able to be there for the women who have experienced it and show up for them and support them."

This segment underscores the podcast's commitment to addressing sensitive topics with empathy and support, providing a platform for listeners to share their experiences and find solace in community.

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Conclusion

As the episode winds down, Kelly and Lizz reiterate their invitation for listeners to participate in upcoming segments and express their gratitude for the supportive community they've built. They wrap up with warm Halloween wishes and a reminder to subscribe, ensuring that every listener feels included in their journey.

• Final Halloween Wishes:
  Kelly (45:00): "Happy Halloween."

• Subscription Reminder:
  Liz (53:35): "Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode."

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Notable Quotes

• Coordinating Family Outfits:
  Kelly (03:00): "It is so hard."

• Children as the Real Challenge:
  Kelly (15:44): "Your children are the enemy, and it's not your partner."

• Understanding Aura Points:
  Kelly (11:09): "An aura is being cool or respected, but when a person does something embarrassing or not seen in a good light, they will lose aura points."

• Maintaining Marital Harmony:
  Liz (16:04): "We are both going through this really hard thing together."

• Lemon Pepper Chicken Caesar Salad with Noodles:
  Liz (47:11): "Boil penny noodles or noodles of your choice. Cube chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Sauté them in a skillet with lemon pepper seasoning."

• Encouraging Open Dialogue on Loss:
  Liz (51:26): "Being able to be there for the women who have experienced it and show up for them and support them."

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This episode of The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz masterfully blends lighthearted banter with deep, meaningful conversations, offering listeners a comprehensive look into the multifaceted lives of two dedicated mothers and auto enthusiasts. Whether discussing the intricacies of parenting, the nuances of modern slang, or the latest trends in the automotive world, Kelly and Lizz provide valuable insights with warmth and authenticity.

Transcript

[Kelly]

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[Liz]

Want to shop Walmart Black Friday deals first. Walmart plus members get early access to our hottest deals. Join now and get 50% off a one year annual membership. Shop Black Friday deals first with Walmart plus see [e-mail].

[Kelly]

Welcome to the carpool podcast with Kelly.

[Liz]

You think I hated washing my face? Was I just like not using hot water? Like, what is wrong with me? Like, why am I just discovering the joy and the comfort of like washing your face?

[Kelly]

And Liz, something you don't know you're gonna have to do as a mom that is should be an Olympic sport is finding coordinating outfits for every single person in your family. It is so hard. Your mom time off starts now. Welcome back to the Carbo podcast with Kelly and Liz.

[Liz]

Hey, Liz.

[Kelly]

Hey, Kel. We're recording in person.

[Liz]

We are. Elizabeth came over today because we have.

[Kelly]

To get back to work.

[Liz]

We don't have to. Well, but what's fun about a flexible job is it's very easy for us to dip a toe and we do have to get back to work in the sense where I did agree to get press cars again.

[Kelly]

Yeah. And you got like a really hot one right off the bat. Yeah, Yeah.

[Liz]

I was expecting them to like, you know, hit me up with like an equinox and next thing I know they're saying, do you want the new 2025 Infiniti QX80 in your driveway?

[Kelly]

And you don't say no to that.

[Liz]

No.

[Kelly]

So I'm here with Sloane Baloney. And we're going to. We're recording a podcast. We're going to film a tour. We edited some stuff you made me launch, so I'm happy to be here.

[Liz]

Well, we're kind of in that, like, golden phase of, I think, a postpartum journey where we feel better, we're more ourselves. I can't speak for you, but I did get a four hour stretch straight of sleep last night, but they're still sleepy enough where it's like, if we put them outside in the bassinet strollers, like, they'll just.

[Kelly]

Yeah, I mean, I'll just wear her and film you and I'll just.

[Liz]

Fine, I'll put Libby in the bassinet and re. Put a binky every 10 minutes.

[Kelly]

Yeah. You know what is the craziest thing? I cannot get over this. It just is not adding up to me. So I just had Sloan's one month appointment checkup, and she is still smaller in weight and height than Libby was when she was born.

[Liz]

I know.

[Kelly]

So is Libby your biggest baby?

[Liz]

Libby and Fred were the same size.

[Kelly]

Okay. When Libby came out, we were all like, that is not a newborn. She does not look like a newborn. She looks like a baby. Don't get me wrong. But, like, not a freshie. Like, no, Sloan looked like a freshie.

[Liz]

Sloan looks and Sloan. I think. I think we're just seeing opposite ends of the spectrum because I think Sloan is on the smaller side and on the freshier side. And I think, you know, Liberty Mutual is, like, on the total opposite end of the spectrum.

[Kelly]

It's just crazy to me when I look at Sloan and I'm like, this is what came out of Kelly. I mean, like, not like in this. The. Her size hurt. Crazy hurt. Yeah. Mine didn't.

[Liz]

I know, that's. I get that from Tyler's side of the family. Tyler's siblings were all very big at birth. Like, one of his sisters was ten pounds. So.

[Kelly]

Ten pounds? Goodness.

[Liz]

They just. The stumpies just grow big babies and, you know, that's the seed that got planted. So anyway.

[Kelly]

Yeah, it's a weird way to say that. That is. Yeah, I'd like to move on. Kel, we have a fun, exciting episode today. We have so much to talk about, a lot to cover, and kind of.

[Liz]

Like, back to our regular degulars. Like, we've got a millennial word. Here's the roadmap. We've got a millennial word. We've got fast lane philosophy base Model, luxury advice, industry news, ditch the drive, dumpty doo dah.

[Kelly]

Probably somewhere. Yeah, probably.

[Liz]

I'd have to check, but.

[Kelly]

Okay. Well, is there anything you want to get into before we get into it?

[Liz]

Well, did you tell everyone about the lunch that I just made you and what, what exciting updates you have about what's happening to you today?

[Kelly]

What is happening to me today?

[Liz]

Well, I made Elizabeth.

[Kelly]

Oh, yes. No, this is very exciting. Okay. Kelly made me some hamburgers.

[Liz]

It's.

[Kelly]

Don't.

[Liz]

Okay, first of all, like, tee it up a little better my go to lunch like we spoke about last time. I'm just, I'm more animal based, protein heavy. And as I'm sure you guys know, because we've talked about it, we recently got a fourth of a cow and a half of a hog in our deep freezer. Like, you just pay for it up front and you get a ton of meat in your freezer. And we use. Friend Ashley's husband is a butcher, so we use him and he does a really good job of just like packaging things. So he packages packs of four burgers. Like they're just, they're patties in a pack of four. And honestly, every Monday or whatever, Tuesday, I've been going down and coming up and just making them. I just make them in my cast iron, fry up some four burgers. I normally eat two at a time and I put two in the fridge for tomorrow's lunch. And it's been a really good lunch for me because I just, I find ground beef good and satisfying and easy.

[Kelly]

Yes.

[Liz]

And healthy.

[Kelly]

So I. I'm getting my meat today. I ordered the same thing. I ordered a quarter cow, half a hog from Ashley's husband. His name's Gus.

[Liz]

His name's Gus.

[Kelly]

Yeah, from Gus. And we just got our deep freeze in and so Tyler's actually just left to go pick it all up for me, which was very, very kind of him because it was like, it's kind of like a drive away for me. And I'm so excited to start dipping into my meat. My fresh, my grass fed. It's like good quality meat. And like that's kind of what it comes down to is it being good quality. And also if you use it all, it ends up being cost effective. It's a lot up front, though.

[Liz]

It's a lot up front, but it is very cost effective. And I don't know, I would just like to explore the options because you could certainly just see what a quarter of a cow, you know, costs at your local butcher.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Or your Local meat processing plant or whatever. I don't even really know what they would. I don't even, like, know how you'd find it.

[Kelly]

Yeah, I don't know. So you talk a lot about your beef journey, do you? Don't really talk. Tell me much about your half a hog.

[Liz]

Well, we got the hog first and we went through a lot of the hog already.

[Kelly]

Oh, okay.

[Liz]

Because, you know, the bake, the bacon's gone in the first two weeks.

[Kelly]

Oh, my God.

[Liz]

Because the bacon is delicious. But we have a lot of pork sausages and Tyler likes pork sausage. And so I will just like, that's my version of meal prep lately is I will just like fry up. I'm saying fry up. I mean, like, just doing my cast iron.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Like six pork sausages. And I'll just put them back in the fridge. And you know, he's an animal. He'll just literally walk by the fridge, grab a cold pork sausage and just snack, like, take a bite like it's a freaking apple.

[Kelly]

Yeah, that's what he does. Yeah.

[Liz]

But, like, that's what he likes to eat. That's so easy for me. But I just love, like, truthfully, like, I have never. It's never been easier for me to come up with what to make for dinner because I just go down to my freezer and I pull two to three things out of there a week and that's what we're having for dinner. And then I still supplement with chicken and fish and turkey, like, as needed. But this morning I went down there, I pulled out burgers for our lunch. I pulled out six sausages for, you know, a dinner or for Tyler. And I pulled out a beef arm roast. I'm going to make a roast this week. And, like, I love it.

[Kelly]

And it's the thinking about what to make for dinner that just ruins my day every day. And just. If I just knew. It's like, okay, here are your options. And it's at my house. Like, that is. It's so amazing.

[Liz]

It's been really helpful. And since we're on this, like, crazy diet right now with Fred, because Fred, we're still gluten free, dairy free to try to help Fred's eczema. Honestly, I don't need any more advice because I'm getting too much and it's overwhelming me. But it's not really working. I mean, I guess, I don't know, I probably heard one too many stories of overnight success. Stories like as soon as we cut it out, totally went away.

[Kelly]

And I'm Sure. From their. I'm not saying that that's not true, but it could be. From their perspective. It seemed, like, really quick because now they're over the hump. But, like, you know, when you're going through it, it's. It feels each day it's a challenge.

[Liz]

And dairy might not be the issues either. So it's just also kind of like, I noticed a little bit of improvement. So. But did I notice improvement or did he just. Did his flare up just go down for another reason? And I'm also trying not to do too many things at one time because I want to know what it is. Like, if I just do everything, then I'm not going to know what to bring back.

[Kelly]

I know.

[Liz]

So anyway, all that to say is since we're so protein focused, it's been very nice to have.

[Kelly]

Yeah, that.

[Liz]

So, anyway, you're getting your meat today.

[Kelly]

So anyway, I'm getting today. I'm really very excited.

[Liz]

I'm so excited. I just, like, we. It's a really fun, like, next couple of days sl weeks coming up because we've got. We, like, a fun event at our church. And then we have Trunk or Treat. We have Halloween. We have, like, a family party. Like, there's just kind of a lot going on. It's fall.

[Kelly]

It is falling.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And I'm ready for. It's so funny. Some years I'm like, I'm so ready for fall. Some years I'm, like, so ready for the holidays. I'm like, oh, I'm, like, ready for the holidays. I'm ready. I'm kind of gonna skip fall this year.

[Liz]

I think we're ready to drink and have fun.

[Kelly]

Yeah, that could. Maybe that's.

[Liz]

And you turn 30 this year. We didn't talk about your 30th birthday. No.

[Kelly]

I don't know what to do.

[Liz]

I. Mom called me the other day, and she goes, what are we doing for Elizabeth's 30th? What do you want to do? I'm happy to plan it.

[Kelly]

I don't know. I have this running joke with Maddie. So my. My good friend, her husband planned this, like, surprise 30th birthday. Like, I was helping him plan it and everything. And it was super cute and super sweet. And then I was like, oh, Maddie, I can't wait to see what you come up with for me. So now this is, like, running joke that he has to plan something fabulous for my 30th birthday. And I don't know if he's going to or not, but. Yeah, I don't know. I don't know what I want to do, Kel.

[Liz]

Okay, well, he's not, like, not. I don't think he's, like, he hasn't texted me or anything, and I feel as though if we were doing something, we should have been on it by now.

[Kelly]

Yeah, well, I don't know. I don't know what to do. Let's go. What do you do in December?

[Liz]

Well, do you want to have a party or do you just want to, like, go out to a dinner? Do you want to do, like, a girls day?

[Kelly]

I don't know. This is probably a conversation. Not offline, off mic. Because let's get into, like, the things we have to get into.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

Okay, so. Oh, I want to start with the millennial word of the day, where we learn Gen Z slang so we can be less lame. Because I found this and it sparked my. It's just been a really long time since, like, a millennial where a Gen Z slang has, like, sparked mine.

[Liz]

I'm so excited.

[Kelly]

So it's called aura, and then there's aura points.

[Liz]

It's just, like, so hippie dippy. It's like your vibe. Like, her aura's off.

[Kelly]

Yes, kind of. So an aura is being cool or respected, but when a person does something embarrassing or not seen in a good light, they will lose aura points. Therefore, aura points is measuring how cool or respected someone is typically referred to as a loss of said points. So how many example, how many aura points did I lose when I went back to my ex after he cheated on me? Friend? Two. Dang, that's bad. Negative 200 points, I'd say.

[Liz]

Oh, I wonder how many points. I would have guessed, like, three points. So how many points do you have?

[Kelly]

No, I don't think it's up to that. I think it's just. I think they try to make it like drama by being like, oh, you lost 200 or a points.

[Liz]

You know what's very interesting about the Gen Z's and their slang is I feel like it's very. I think Gen Z's have so much more slang than the millennials did, because everyone's watching, like, similar content. Like, things are going viral, and that's where the slang's coming from. And you can literally, like, pinpoint the person who came up with that. Like, we know who the person was who said very Demir.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

They can take credit for that. And I'm sure there was a video of some guy who said something about aura points, and, like, he can claim that. Yeah, like, he can tell his grandchildren.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

That he said aura points. It's just interesting. I feel like when our slang. I mean, it. It was. It took a while.

[Kelly]

Yeah, it took.

[Liz]

It like took Paul Revere writing through to tell people that this is what we were saying now.

[Kelly]

Yeah. No, it's so true. They're just so much more connected and they can. It can come in and out really quickly. Like demure is already gone because it was so overdone so quickly that like, I feel like if you say demure, you're like, it's, it's. It's come and gone.

[Liz]

You're losing aura points.

[Kelly]

You're losing aura points. Yeah, it's really true.

[Liz]

Wow.

[Kelly]

So you kind of like have to be on it. It's kind of in the time that I feel like it goes from tick tock to make its way to Instagram. Like once it's on Instagram, it's not cool. So aura points probably isn't cool anymore because I def saw on Insta.

[Liz]

I have been thinking about the clock app a little bit.

[Kelly]

Oh, the tick tock. Kel, I don't want to get into it.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

You want to get back on it?

[Liz]

No, I don't know. I just wanted to. Again, offline.

[Kelly]

I just don't want to do it.

[Liz]

Yeah, you're right. It's another thing.

[Kelly]

You might do it, but I don't. I don't want to be involved.

[Liz]

I would like. I don't want to be on it. I would like. I want to find someone who will just post the videos on there and just alert me if things get crazy and I won't even download. I'll just have the videos there. Another day, another dark.

[Kelly]

It feels like it's just a world that doesn't exist to me because I'm just like, so not on it.

[Liz]

Yeah, you're right.

[Kelly]

I don't know if we need another thing. Anyway, offline.

[Liz]

I'm bringing up so much offline online convos. That's because I don't see you ever anymore.

[Kelly]

I know, but we only talk for like three hours a day. Yeah, but you would think this would have come up.

[Liz]

There's always kids screaming in the background.

[Kelly]

That's so.

[Liz]

It takes us all day to have a conversation because we constantly have to call each other back.

[Kelly]

I know.

[Liz]

Isn't that true?

[Kelly]

It is so true. Okay, Kell, should we just like, get into like our fast lane philosophies? Because, like, I kind of have some.

[Liz]

Yeah, okay.

[Kelly]

Fast lane philosophy where we share a recent. Where we Pe. Say something to peak your curiosity. Something like that. Maddie and I had to go to church. We went to church, and I was getting Sloan myself, diaper bag ready. He was taking care of James outside, trying to distract him, you know, and it was a very. It was a very busy morning. And you could say tensions were high. And you could say we were frustrated with the situation. Not necessarily frustrated with each other, but sometimes you then take it out on your. Your partner. And we just had to, like, he saw this reel, and he sent it to me, and he was like, we need to remember this. We? Me and Maddie, we are not enemies. Our children are our enemies.

[Liz]

Totally.

[Kelly]

And that's just something that I think is a very good thing to keep in mind when tensions are high. You're on the same team.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

The problem are your children, and it's not your partner. I think that's a good thing to remember. And then I think it's, like, solidarity. It's like, hey, we're both going through this really hard thing together.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

So.

[Liz]

And it's not. I do find, like, there's such, like, a kind of a dark spot on the Internet. Let's get really deep for a second.

[Kelly]

Oh, let's dive in.

[Liz]

Because it's so normalized to be like, oh, I had, like, a really hard mom day today. Like, oh, my kids are driving me crazy. But, like, you can. You can't. There's not that same, like, tolerance to say that things about, like, your husband sometimes or, like, your marriage even, because it's so, like, taboo to, like, never. And I'm not even saying talking bad, but I don't think there's enough recognition for how hard it is to be married and have young kids sometimes. And something that just kind of always grounds me. And it's a very simple saying. And Tyler and I always say it to each other. And this. You're either going to take this the right way or the wrong way, so just bear with me. But we always say, like, I wouldn't spin the wheel. It's like, is Tyler perfect? No. Am I perfect? Not even close. Would I spin the wheel? Have you seen the crazies out there?

[Kelly]

You mean to, like, pick someone else?

[Liz]

To pick somebody else? I would never spin the wheel. And he is not perfect, and I'm not perfect, and. But it's like, there's no. Like, there's no one else I'd rather, like, raise kids with.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Because I can't imagine how hard it would be to do it with someone I liked less than him, like, I love him.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

And we still, like, will bicker or fight or, like, snap at each other because we've got four kids, five and under.

[Kelly]

It's really. Yeah, it's you. Like, I feel like, truly a lot of people's probably, like, fights aren't. Aren't born out of this. The. The person necessarily. But it's the situ. It's the day you've had, it's the situ. How upset, how stressed out you are. It's like, it's all these external factors, and then you take it out on sometimes. Your partner and Maddie and I were having a conversation the other day, and it was something about being like. He's like, do you. Do I do anything? Are you ever, like, pissed off at me or do I do anything, like, pisses you off? And I was like, I'm definitely like. Like, maybe pissed off at you occasionally. And then I was thinking about, like, things specifically he does, and I'm like. But I actually don't think it's anything. It's a reflection of anything you're doing. I think it's more of a reflection of, like, the mood that I'm in in that moment and the things that brought me to that mood. And so, no, it doesn't bother me if you forget to take the trash out to the end of the driveway. It does bother me when I'm knee deep in dirty diapers and then I see the trash can, the trash guy come and have gone and we forgot to take our trash off.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

Then I'm pissed at you, but I'm not pissed because you forgot to do something. It's just. It's all. It's everything else that has happened that makes me.

[Liz]

Forgot to do said thing.

[Kelly]

Yes.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

Like, you know what I mean?

[Liz]

Totally.

[Kelly]

So it's just. I don't know, I think it's like taking a step back and reflecting on why you're mad.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And if it's deeper than just the action of the person, you know?

[Liz]

Yeah. But just, I mean, solidarity. It's hard.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Like, we're. We're going. I mean, it's just four kids has been really. I talked about this on my Instagram a little bit. Like, my evenings suck right now.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Like, and it's so crazy. Cause I know the older kids all go to daycare during the day, so it is just me and Libby. So part of me feels like, oh, my gosh, you suck. Like, you literally only with all four of your children for, you know, that short window. But when I'm with them on the weekends. Our whole day doesn't suck. Like, there's just something about that four to eight.

[Kelly]

Mm.

[Liz]

That is so hard. And I like, George and Hattie are so crabby. Fred is so needy in the sense where I'm constantly trying to just protect him from danger. And Libby is crying.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

And it just like, doesn't matter. I mean, I like, it's just. Yeah. It's hard. Yeah.

[Kelly]

So you're trying to like divide and conquer, like with your partner or then.

[Liz]

He'S working late or he's working so.

[Kelly]

Then you have it all and then you're. Yeah.

[Liz]

And then he like walks through the door. He's like, how's your day? And I'm like, what are you talking about?

[Kelly]

Yeah, it's like, yeah, I know.

[Liz]

But then you're like, you don't take it. It's just.

[Kelly]

But it's like, but he hasn't done anything wrong. But you're frustrated. Maybe with him. But. But you're. But you're not.

[Advertiser]

You're.

[Kelly]

You're over stimulated and you've gone through a lot and you've done hard things.

[Liz]

And see, I think that's where. What, where four kids has. I never would have used the words to describe myself as over stimulated before because I also just think I do have a high threshold for chaos and stimulation. I think, like, that's what makes a success. Successful content creator. Like, I can just handle a lot of that.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

But four has. Now I understand the term overstimulation. And it is like next level. And I've got a Tony's box going, a TV going, two kids crying.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

The laundry beeping. And that is. I have a friend who told me she found these like, earplugs that don't. That don't cancel out all the sound, but like just mute everything a little bit. Like, so you'd still hear your kids.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

You just hear them less, kind of considering.

[Kelly]

Yeah. Well, and it's crazy. You're just doing all this stuff, trying to make everything happen. You're trying to do it for them. It's like, all I'm trying to do is make you dinner. And you're making it so much harder for me to do this one thing for you.

[Liz]

Okay, well, anyway, we're really laying it all out anyway.

[Kelly]

I know.

[Liz]

Clearly we need some therapy.

[Kelly]

Anyway. Your husband's not your enemy. Your kids are your enemies. And that's all I have to say.

[Liz]

And just ask yourself if you'd spin the wheel because I bet you wouldn't yeah. Okay.

[Kelly]

Anyway, I love those buggers.

[Liz]

Let's get to the next thing I wanted.

[Kelly]

Did you have a. Oh, is that your fast lane philosophy?

[Liz]

Oh, I just kind of jumped on your. Yeah, I thought you had there. No, I have a base model luxury o.

[Kelly]

What is it?

[Liz]

It's the stupidest thing I've ever said in my life.

[Kelly]

Okay.

[Liz]

But I want to know if I'm the only person who does this. When you wash your face, do you just use a bath towel or do you have washcloths?

[Kelly]

I have a washcloth.

[Liz]

I just got on the washcloth train.

[Kelly]

Oh, welcome. Yeah, welcome.

[Liz]

So every time you wash your face, you use your washcloth? Yeah.

[Kelly]

Well, I have, like, a little towel ring next to my sink, so that makes it easy for it to be right there for me to wash my face.

[Liz]

So I am recently. And I've also, like, kind of changed up my skincare routine because Ashley took me makeup shop. Ashley's really coming up on this episode a lot. But she took me makeup shopping and we got some new skincare products and she got me this, like, tubing mascara that you have to take off with warm water. So I've been taking a hot washcloth and like, pressing it on my eyes and then, like, pulling it down. And then I take, like, that same hot washcloth and I do, like, a double oil cleanse. I'm just using hot washcloth on my face. And it's really, really amazing because I think I hated washing my face. Was that just, like, not using hot water? Like, what is wrong with me? Like, why am I just discovering the joy and the comfort of, like, washing your face?

[Kelly]

I don't. I don't know.

[Liz]

But do you ever feel like you get into the bathroom, it's like, been a long night, you know, Maddie forgot to take the trash out. And you think you have makeup on and you think to yourself, I'd rather shower than just wash my face. Do you ever think that I think that every night?

[Kelly]

No.

[Liz]

Why would I rather shower than just wash my face?

[Kelly]

I don't know.

[Liz]

Yeah, that's what's weird about me.

[Kelly]

That's so weird.

[Liz]

I can't be the only one who thinks that.

[Kelly]

I don't know that. Just feel that. Can't make anything. That makes everything harder. That's like a bigger step than you're washing everything.

[Liz]

I don't know. It just sounds easier. But anyway, so I've been.

[Kelly]

I.

[Liz]

Now I have wash clothes.

[Kelly]

Okay.

[Liz]

But I'm using a different washcloth every night. Are you?

[Kelly]

No. So I use like the same. The same one for like a few days. No, I'm doing, but I'm not like getting it.

[Liz]

But I'm getting it wet.

[Kelly]

Yeah, I'm just drying because I already.

[Liz]

Have so much laundry. What's five more washcloths a week?

[Kelly]

That's so true.

[Liz]

What's five more washcloth?

[Kelly]

What's five more washcloths?

[Liz]

Okay, next Today's episode is brought to.

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[Kelly]

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[Kelly]

To you by Zoc Doc.

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Being an adult has its high points.

[Kelly]

Like you can eat ice cream for.

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[Kelly]

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[Kelly]

Okay, do you want to do what? Do you have anything on your Dumpity? Do you want to talk about or should we.

[Liz]

Let me check.

[Kelly]

Actually, I do have something on my Dumpity doo doo. So we just got some family photos done recently and now we're also doing family photos with Maddie's like full family. So I have to find it. When you become a mom, you know, you kind of are a parent. You kind of know what to expect. Like you're going to have to, you know, feed your family, clean up after your family. There's certain things that you know you're going to have to do as a parent. Some of you don't know you're going to have to do as a mom. That is should be an Olympic sport is finding coordinating outfits for every single person in your family. It is so hard. Yeah, it is so hard to do. And I'm just wondering where's the influencer who only posts family photo outfits? Active links. Have you looked? Well, I don't know how I know how to find that. Like, here's what I want and if they exist, awesome. If they don't exist. This is a great idea for an Instagram, though. I think it would be very profitable. Post the popular color schemes. We're all searching the same color schemes on Pinterest. Pull those. Give us active links, give us different age ranges, give us options. And can you imagine the absolute killing you would make off of all of those links and the service you would be providing? Like, everyone, we're all probably doing, you know, navy neutral and neutrals or something like that. Or Burgundies and neutrals. Like we're all doing the same color schemes.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

So just give me like eight navy dress options. Tell me what to put my husband in and give me the link.

[Liz]

Okay, I have a couple of things I want to bring up for you. First of all, this is so sad because someone has family photo outfits and they have three followers. Like they have the handle. Tragic, tragic. Someone else is trying to do it and it's. How do I say this nicely? It's not good because these are all just Amazon links. And you know, that's just like crap. That's crap.

[Kelly]

Yeah, that's a cute setup. Though I don't think that's.

[Liz]

I don't actually hate everything about it. I agree. I agree. I think I'm actually pretty good at it. I like putting together. I don't know if you, like, saw that. I actually have all my kids.

[Kelly]

Are those active links?

[Liz]

No. Because I use what I had.

[Kelly]

Right.

[Liz]

But some of them are active, I think. Here's my family photo advice. Tips. Do you want to hear my tips?

[Kelly]

Yeah, obviously.

[Liz]

One. Start with mom. You are the champion. You are the winner. You need to look good. Like a onesies. A onesie?

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

A button down's a button down. Start with mom. Obviously, put dad in something so freaking boring. Dad's in a solid.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Dad's in a white. So you're picking the color scheme with your. With your vibe. Dad's in a white. Dad's in a beige. Dad doesn't matter. No, make him go away. Like, I mean, in the photo, like, he's just. He's in a new.

[Kelly]

He's in the background. I mean, he's always in the back.

[Liz]

He's in the background. He's in. He's probably holding kids, too, so what does it matter what he's wearing?

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

You need to have your moment.

[Kelly]

Yeah, I know.

[Liz]

Then I like to try to do. I think you need to do, like, a big print, a little print, and then solids. So someone's in a big print. Someone's in a little print. Solid. Solid.

[Kelly]

Well, I have, actually. Normally I would go that route, but I've kind of been putting off trying clothes on because I am so fresh, actually, postpartum. And I kind of, like, took my one really good dress and wore it in my other family photos. So I did just put on jeans the other day. I know. I'm a month postpartum, and I braved putting on jeans, and they did fit.

[Liz]

What jeans?

[Kelly]

My Spanx jeans. But I. That I bought my last postpartum journey.

[Liz]

Spanx is so good to us.

[Kelly]

I know. And then I order. I did, like, an Abercrombie order for tops, and they're sitting at my house right now. I need to go try them on.

[Liz]

One thing was an interesting choice to choose. Jeans and a top. I would have gone dressed for sure. I would have stopped you right there.

[Kelly]

I couldn't find anything. And you wore jeans in your family photos, and I thought it was kind of cute.

[Liz]

Yeah, it was.

[Kelly]

I don't know.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

Maybe I'll regret it. I don't know what I'm doing. I'm gonna cry just thinking about It.

[Liz]

Well, we'll figure it out. Don't cry. Don't cry. And also, respectfully, these are like Tyler's or Maddie's extended family photos. Like, you're not hanging these in your house or are you?

[Kelly]

Oh, I would. I do. I like to have like full family photos in my house, like with everyone.

[Liz]

I don't have any of those.

[Kelly]

I literally have like mom and dad's wedding photo. Like on. On a shelf in my house.

[Liz]

Like, you're not even in it. No, it's their wedding photo.

[Kelly]

You know why is. Because it was actually the framed photo from my wedding and we put it in a pretty gold frame and I just like haven't taken it out. And when I moved, it was just like, oh, here's a picture frame.

[Liz]

We've had this discussion before, like, what is a weird thing to frame in your house and what's not? Yeah, like, would you ever have a solo picture of one of my kids in your house?

[Kelly]

Since I've had kids, I probably wouldn't waste a frame, to be honest. But like, I have. We took a full family photo at mine and Maddie's engagement party that has both of our families in it. And like, that's framed.

[Liz]

Okay, I get it.

[Kelly]

I don't know.

[Liz]

No, I don't know either. I'm just. I'm just asking. Okay, are you ready to move on to industry news or do we have.

[Kelly]

Oh, we have advice. We have. We have an advice question. And if you want to get your own advice, you can write into. Hello, the carbomb official dot com. This comes from Jen. Hey, Kelly. And Liz. I want to know what you think about the following Christmas gift situation.

[Liz]

H I are. I hate. Well, I like, I should hear what the question is first.

[Kelly]

Okay. I have three young kids. My sister in law has one five year old. We were talking about Christmas presents and she mentioned their budget for each of our kids is about $20 each. I told her that sounds great and I totally understand if she'd rather do 10 to 15 each. My kids need not. Anyway, if she spends 20 times 3, that's $60 total on my kids. Does that mean I should spend $60 on her one kid? I was thinking 30 for him would be a good budget, especially if I catch something on sale. Just trying to be fair without breaking the bank. Here's. Okay, here's what we do in case anyone feels the need. If you have. If you like baptize your kids and they have godparents in our family, only the godparents buy Christmas and birthday gifts. So George, I'm his godmother, I buy him a birthday gift, I buy him a Christmas gift. Hattie's fourth birthday rolled around. I showed up with nothing. She doesn't get a gift from me. She's getting a ton of gifts. Craig is her godfather. Craig got her a gift. And our family did that growing up just because there ended up being so many kids. So you just knew you would get two gifts from aunts and uncles and it would be your godparents. And I know not, not everyone has godparents, so maybe this wouldn't be applicable to you. But it does become really outrageous when you just end up buying each kid a gift and their parents don't want them to all have a gift. You don't want to spend the money on all the gifts. So maybe that is a good workaround for you. What do you think about her specific situation though?

[Liz]

Yeah, I think I would spend 20.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

I would just, I would set, I would set the record straight. I spend 20 and I would try to move away from this if at all possible. And here's what we do on Tyler's side, because let's do on our side. So Tyler's with Tyler's nieces and nephews. And so like all of my kids cousins, we do a secret Santa, but we're doing books. So like the kids buy each other books. Love. On the other side, on Tyler's extended, like, whatever. Another side of the family, we do another kids secret Santa, we do snacks. So like we're getting a book, we're getting a snack. Like a fun snack. Like a freaking box of ding dongs. Like it's a fun thing thing to do. And this is our first year doing books. But I'm excited about it. Yeah, I. Yeah, I mean.

[Kelly]

Okay, so when you say kid Secret Santa, does that mean like Hattie is pulling out of a hat and she got Evelyn.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

Okay.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And so then hat. So then maybe Hattie gets to pick out the book or whatever that she would give her. I mean you could too, but that keeps the kid involved.

[Liz]

So I think also like maybe if your sister in law's like plan on having more kids or not, like maybe you could just also say what if we just like did an exchange? But then I guess she would know that wouldn't work because you need like more people or your or your kids are buy, buying for each other, which maybe isn't that big deal.

[Kelly]

Yeah. I don't think you need to spend $60 because she's spending $60 on your kids. I don't think that that's the expectation, and I. I don't think you need to worry about that.

[Liz]

So weird. I'm, like, such a minimalist when it comes to Christmas.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

But I also don't like the. And this is a hot take. I don't like the want, wear, need, read. I don't like that. That's, like, the biggest trend I know.

[Kelly]

But you used to do. You went through. You did that.

[Liz]

I went through a phase when I thought that was a good idea, but I didn't like having to put things in a box because. I'm sorry. Aware. Come on. No, kid. I mean, aware.

[Kelly]

Yeah, aware.

[Liz]

And then, like, a need. Like, what's in. Like. I mean, I could see how need felt like a blurred line. So I'm doing, like, two. Just two.

[Kelly]

Two gifts.

[Liz]

Yeah. One and one.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

And then I might. I'm actually probably considering. I think I'm gonna get the kids another nugget. So we have two nuggets. Because I think they'd love that.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

So nugget. And everyone's getting two presents.

[Kelly]

I like it.

[Liz]

Yeah. I think. I mean, who knows? Shut up. I'm not.

[Kelly]

I know. Who knows? Who knows? Who knows?

[Liz]

Love buying my kids. You know, I'm always, like, looking at, like, the thrift stores and stuff or, like, I like Goodbye gear, too, for toys. And it's like, well, if it's a deal, if I spend no money on it.

[Kelly]

I know.

[Liz]

You know?

[Kelly]

I know.

[Liz]

Then it's hard.

[Kelly]

I know it's tough, but, yeah.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

Well, now it's fun to get them stuff, too. So, like, that's the. That's the bad thing, too. It's like, it's. It's like holding myself back.

[Liz]

Yeah, I know. Okay, are you ready for industry news, where I spill the hot tea going on the auto industry?

[Kelly]

Sure am.

[Liz]

Okay, this is such an interesting story, and this is just, like, a good discussion to have. This is from Automotive News. Ford Bronco. Ford Bronco sales slide unconcerning to dealers after two years of markups, US sales of the Ford Bronco SUV are down 16% this year. But dealers and analysts say it's a function of supply and demand finally normalizing. So, like, whatever. Not a big deal. Like, the Bronco sales are down 16%. But it just has me thinking, like, two years ago. I remember when the Bronco came out and people were paying such a ridiculous amount of money over sticker for these Broncos. And now you look like fools.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

And now I'm just so. And same thing with, like, the Telluride craze. Like, I remember sitting at the Kia store, and it was. There was like an. It was peak, like, you know, I guess, chip shortage or, like, Telluride shortage or whatever. And we had a gray on black Nightfall Telluride and someone paid $13,000 over sticker because there was literally. It was like an oral auction going on at the dealership because there were two people there for it.

[Kelly]

Wow. And they'll never get that money back.

[Liz]

And now they're sitting at the lot.

[Kelly]

I know.

[Liz]

So I just can't imagine. And let me be clear. No one, you did not need. You did not need a Nightfall brand new Kia Telluride. Like, the Kia. Tell you, it'd be one thing if it was like, a Honda Odyssey and like, you have six kids. Sure.

[Kelly]

Yeah. Out. Sure.

[Liz]

You didn't need that car.

[Kelly]

Yeah. There you had other options.

[Liz]

You had other options, or also, you couldn't have waited. And that's just like always the advice I gave during the chip shortage. And it's just, I think, like, a lot of our audience took the advice because they're educated and beautiful and smart, but a lot of people are in really crappy situations because now. Oh, no. You want to try out your Ford Bronco you bought two years ago? Oh, well, now you're $40,000 upside down. So how's that feel?

[Kelly]

Yeah, dang.

[Liz]

Horrible.

[Kelly]

Yeah, horrible. And it was just, like, literally two. Well, was it too.

[Liz]

Yeah, it just feels like it wasn't that long ago. And if you, like, wanted a Bronco, like, yeah, I'd love a Ford Bronco, but. Okay, like, go get one now. They're on sale. Yeah, just wait a second. Yeah, what's the rush?

[Kelly]

Just wait again. Unless you're in, like, a very desperate time.

[Liz]

Unless it's like, I'm pregnant with twins. I need to do three across. I was just like, what? What's the rush? Yeah, what's the rush?

[Kelly]

What's the rush?

[Liz]

That was an interesting story.

[Kelly]

That is interesting.

[Liz]

Okay, next story. Motor Trend announced their SUV of the year. Oh, yeah.

[Kelly]

What is it?

[Liz]

Do you want to guess?

[Kelly]

Okay, so it needs to be a new one.

[Liz]

Yeah, kind of. It's kind of.

[Kelly]

Well, then just tell me what it is if you're.

[Liz]

It is the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus.

[Kelly]

Oh, I would have literally never guessed that. I've never seen a Lincoln Nautilus in my entire life. What even is a Lincoln Nautilus?

[Liz]

It's like, a little to do it's like little five passenger smaller than the Aviator. Here's what it looks like now. See, Lincoln's kind of like coming for blood. They, their interiors and exteriors are looking really, really nice lately. So we'll see. It's so funny. Like, I had a consultation with someone today and they were like, I just feel like a Lincoln's an expensive Ford. That's why I want the Escalade. And I'm like, why don't you feel like the Escalade is an expensive Tahoe? Like, it's just interesting that she had the perception of one but not the other.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

You know?

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

I see them as separate brands. I actually think I like, I like both the Escalade and the Navigator a lot. Let's be clear. But I think they're very much on the same playing field of like, being different from their mass market brothers.

[Kelly]

I think, I think so too. I do think that there is a level of prestige that for some reason an Escalade carries that a Navigator doesn't.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

I just think it's the perception of, oh, it's an Escalade. Like an Escalade.

[Liz]

It's the pinnacle. People consider it the pinnacle.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

The Navigator's beautiful. Might be better looking. I actually probably go Navigator over Escalade, but I do think it's Carrie. The Escalade.

[Liz]

Mm.

[Kelly]

Carries more packs, more of a punch.

[Liz]

Speaking of full size luxury SUVs, our last story is just going to be.

[Kelly]

About.

[Liz]

The new Infinity QX80 that's in our driveway. Yeah, my driveway. She did a lot, right. I think where I'm like, kind of landing with her and I'm thinking about, you know, being in a consultation with a family and like, who I would recommend this car to. That's what I'm thinking when I do these things. And it's just so not very conducive. It's not very. More than four passengers. No. Like, the second row smacks, the third row kind of sucks. So, like, if you're ever having more than two people, it's like it does. It wouldn't be my pick.

[Kelly]

More than two people in the back.

[Liz]

In the back. Yeah. And if you only have to transport like two passengers, why would you ever choose to get 15 miles per gallon?

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

And that's kind of like where I'm landing on it. Like, I just don't get the. If you don't have to. If you don't need to use third, I would never buy it. I shouldn't say never. I don't think I'd ever buy it for daily third row use because I hate the third row access. It has the car seat tilt. But I'm sorry, I can't to the power. I can't to the power tilt. We'll just sit there and wait for it.

[Kelly]

I know it looks cool, but it is better.

[Liz]

What I like about it and what I'm going to give them points for is it is better for the. Once in a while I need to use the third row and I have a car seat. Okay, great. No problem. I have the car seat tilt, but I've been driving it this week and I have George and Hattie in the third row and I have to tilt it every single time. Yeah, it's a to do.

[Kelly]

Yeah, totally.

[Liz]

And now that I'm in kind of a more traditional like pickup and drop off line. It's embarrassing.

[Kelly]

Yeah, you can't. You gotta.

[Liz]

It's embarrassing.

[Kelly]

Yeah. It's like being. It's like being at the airport pickup.

[Liz]

Yeah, totally. So anyway, she, she did a lot. Right. And really good upgrades for families. Like they added tether anchors but just not good upgrades. Also not perfect.

[Kelly]

Yeah, no one is.

[Liz]

I really, really love it and I guess if you really love a big car. Sure. But I buy an escalator navigator to me, for me, because it's just. Yeah, I just would.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

I don't know.

[Kelly]

Yeah, it's tough too when you're like in the luxury market and like things are falling short. Prio. It's like very hard to justify.

[Liz]

No. And it just feels like. I think it's just so funny because they consider the, like they consider the largest SUVs of most. Most manufacturers consider the large SUV like their flagship. Like this is their, like it's their, it's. It's their thing. It's their flagship. And then they just don't make it a very friendly third row. Like I think the Toyota Sequoia is another amazing example, like why it's such a bad third row.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

And you spent all this time and money and I know it's cool because it's like, it's a big price point. Like look, for a hundred thousand dollars you have this, the speakers and the headrests. But then if you think about like from a practicality standpoint, it's like, well, why would I. You can't use a third row. Why would I not just buy the Escalade? Like that's where I just think it needs to be the best third row in the world.

[Kelly]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Liz]

If you want to try to take down the navigator of the Escalade, and I just think. I don't know. We'll see. You haven't even seen it yet. Because we're doing this before our tours. But yeah, I do like it. It's just. It's not on it didn't move anyone off my list. It's not on my top 10 list.

[Kelly]

Good to know.

[Liz]

But we do start having. We actually have to start thinking about our Calm Car of the Year finalists and who's going to be on it. Yeah, I've got three, but we are going to have four.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Do you want to guess who the three are?

[Kelly]

I'm trying to think about who came out this year.

[Liz]

Think early.

[Kelly]

So is it 20?

[Liz]

It's a little fluid because it's like, it could be a 24 or 25, but it had to get released.

[Kelly]

Who wasn't able. So Traverse would be on it.

[Liz]

Traverse is on it. Yep.

[Kelly]

You.

[Liz]

I don't think you'll get the other ones.

[Kelly]

Okay. What are the other ones?

[Liz]

Santa Fe.

[Kelly]

I was gonna say Santa Fe, but she's on it. Okay. Santa Fe's on it. I don't think Santa Fe is gonna win. Command.

[Liz]

It's electric.

[Kelly]

Not the buzz. Who? I don't know.

[Liz]

The Kia EV9.

[Kelly]

Oh, Kia EV9. Yeah, I forgot about that one.

[Liz]

Those are our three. And I'll probably. I might add the Acadia to the list. Acadia versus Traverse. Or I might throw with, like, the Lexus GX on there or I don't know.

[Kelly]

Oh, didn't the TX come out?

[Liz]

No, the TX was last year.

[Kelly]

Was it?

[Liz]

It was a finalist last year.

[Kelly]

My goodness.

[Liz]

You'll have to stay tuned. But how we do it is I pick the four finalists, and then Elizabeth and I have do voting together. But it's a. Like, I don't know the numbers until the voting's over.

[Kelly]

Yeah. Okay, cool. Kel, we've gotten through this entire episode, and I'm just like, was looking at a calendar. It's Halloween today. Or at the time that this comes out. Oh, it's Halloween. Happy Halloween. You're coming over to my house because you're gonna go trick or treating in my neighborhood.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And I don't know, I just felt like I needed to say, like, oh, Happy Halloween.

[Liz]

Why so something we do. We talk about this every year. You're probably tired of hearing about it, but in St. Louis, you tell a joke.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Which rest of the country catch on? Because it's a good idea. Make your kids work for the candy.

[Kelly]

Yeah, it helps with their social skills too.

[Liz]

Totally. So you say trick or treat. Okay. You have a joke and then they have to say a joke, and that's.

[Kelly]

How they earn their candy.

[Liz]

This one's carpool coded. Someone wrote it in the Facebook page. Did you see it?

[Kelly]

No, it's.

[Liz]

It's so Kelly coated.

[Kelly]

Okay, let's hear it.

[Liz]

Why does a chicken coop only have two doors?

[Kelly]

Why?

[Liz]

Because if it had four doors, it'd be a sedan.

[Kelly]

Yeah. Lol.

[Liz]

Here's Hattie's joke.

[Kelly]

Ready? Yeah.

[Liz]

Because I let. I let the kids pick something that they like and, like, I googled jokes about it. So how he likes unicorns. What's one game you never play with a unicorn?

[Kelly]

What's one game you never play with the unicorn? I don't know.

[Liz]

Leapfrog.

[Kelly]

Oh. Huh. See, and this is the thing is, like, then they like, practice their joke, like, leaning up to it.

[Liz]

Oh, yeah, we've been practicing. George is. Here's where I'm at with George though, right now. George's joke. Why did the earthworm cross the road? Why? Because it wanted to go over there instead. It's like, it's not a joke. It's different every time. He's like, very much in that era, like, and he thinks it's an East Lapper.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

So do I. What, what would. Do I correct him? Do I say, no, that's not funny? Do I let him like, okay, go off king. Like, I don't know what to do.

[Kelly]

I mean, any adults just kind of like, laugh and try and just like, give him his candy quickly so he gets out of there so they can like, avoid the situation because it's like, wow, that was not a good joke.

[Liz]

I'm just like, I don't really understand that joke.

[Kelly]

George, why don't you say, oh, you want an earthworm joke? Let me Google one.

[Liz]

But Hattie doesn't get white. You don't play leapfrog with a unicorn either. Yeah, I just wanted her to have something. No, it's so funny. It's precious.

[Kelly]

It's precious. Okay, Kel, well, are you ready for Ditch the Drive Thru where we give you an easy dinner recipe to mix it up to get you out of your dinner rut?

[Liz]

I am. And I have a listener submission one which is exciting. So if you want to leave your own Ditch the Drive Thru, you can write into hello, the Karma official dot com. Okay. I'm like, really excited about this one.

[Kelly]

Because it's like, it's to build off.

[Liz]

Something we've talked about, and I do feel as though I could probably make it pretty g free. D free for Fred too. It's lemon pepper. Actually, I probably couldn't. Okay, well, in my next life, it's lemon pepper chicken Caesar salad with noodles. Okay. Whoa. Boil penny noodles or noodles of your choice. Cube chicken breasts into bite sized pieces. Saute them in a skillet with lemon pepper seasoning. First of all, lemon pepper is such an underrated seasoning. Do you have any lemon pepper seasoning?

[Kelly]

Uh, no.

[Liz]

I need to buy some because I love a lemon pepper.

[Kelly]

Me too. Me too.

[Liz]

And like, why isn't at my house mix a bag Caesar salad noodles and lemon pepper chicken altogether. So it's like, it's a Caesar salad pasta salad with lemon pepper chicken.

[Kelly]

So it has noodles and lettuce. Lettuce in it.

[Liz]

Yeah. Like, think like a pasta salad with lettuce.

[Kelly]

Yeah, but I've never had a pasta salad with lettuce before.

[Liz]

But what's not salt? I mean, it's fine though.

[Kelly]

I don't know. I'm curious on the lettuce and the noodles. You're kind of losing me there.

[Liz]

What do you think would happen?

[Kelly]

Well, so you have to let the noodles get cold first, I guess.

[Liz]

Otherwise it will wilt the cold water over them. That's your next question.

[Kelly]

I'm just thinking, like, maybe just don't bring the lettuce. Like, do you can use, like, Caesar dressing? I guess the lettuce is throwing me off.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

But maybe it would be a nice crunch.

[Liz]

I thought it sounded good.

[Kelly]

I'm not sure.

[Liz]

Sorry, Alex. I'm sure it's delicious. I'll come over for dinner.

[Kelly]

Sorry, Alex, I'm kind of confused. Okay, Kel, well, something I want to talk about next is November. We're getting back to two episodes a week. Yay. Yay. We're back, baby. Also in November, we are going to be doing Blake's Besties, which is a segment we normally do in October because October is Infant in Pregnancy Loss awareness month. And segment. This would be the third row, third year in a row that we're doing it. And it started. It started by a carpool listener, Rachel, writing in about her daughter Blake, who she lost too soon, and telling us about October being infant and Pregnancy Loss awareness month and all this stuff. And so we were like, let's start a segment called Blake's Besties where people can write in the good memories that they have about being pregnant with their baby, about just their baby in general. Just kind of like sharing their Story, saying their name, name. If they've picked one. If they had picked one out. And we can just kind of, like, talk about their babies.

[Liz]

Yeah. And it kind of the reason we felt so inspired to do it was because I'd never heard a mom talk.

[Kelly]

About.

[Liz]

Their child who had passed so positively before. And it was just so inspiring. Like, I had, like, I remember, like, having, like, read the email a few times. Like, wait, like, is. Is like, is she with us or is she not? Because you just talked about, like, one of her other children, and I loved it because she is. You know what I mean?

[Kelly]

I feel like so often when people miscarry, they are just supposed to act like that never happened. Like, not talk about the baby. But it's a very common thing that happens and something that so many women are going through. So. And a lot of times, like, when you get pregnant, like, you have names picked out or you have these aspirations for the. For their child, and when you don't get to see those through, what are you supposed to do? Just act like the pregnancy never happened. Just act like, oh, I shouldn't tell anyone, just in case. And just live your life as if you didn't just lose a family member.

[Liz]

So you can write in to hello at the Karma official.

[Kelly]

Yes. Okay, so this is what we do.

[Liz]

Share your story.

[Kelly]

Share your story. Tell us any concerts or traveling you got to do while you were pregnant with your baby. Tell us what name you picked out. Tell us what cravings you had. Tell us what the pregnancy was like. And at the end, we know that it can be kind of triggering for people to listen to because it is a hard thing to listen to, which.

[Liz]

I'd like to say something on that.

[Kelly]

Okay, so we are going to read them. Read a few. We usually pick three or so to read at the end of every episode. So if you don't listen to it, you can. You can sign off before Blake's besties. Now, what did you want to say?

[Liz]

I would just say, I know that it can be a triggering topic. Like, I understand that. I. And if you feel like you can't handle it, I think that's fine. But I would encourage you to push yourself to try to listen to it if you think you can, because the reality is one in four pregnancies end in a miscarriage. And I think that a really big part of it is, like, being able to be there for the women who have experienced it and show up for them and support them. And that's what I wanted to say.

[Kelly]

Okay.

[Liz]

So I Get that it's not for everybody. I get that it's a heavy topic, but, like, these women want to tell their stories of their children, and I think, you know, the least I can do is share them and listen to them.

[Kelly]

Yeah. And if we. Obviously, we get a lot of submissions, so we can't read. We can't read them on the podcast. All of them. I do want you to know that Kelly and I are reading. And Matney, our assistant, we are reading all.

[Liz]

We read everything.

[Kelly]

So, yeah, I read every single one.

[Liz]

Yeah. So if you just want to, you know, just send one. Yeah, send one in.

[Kelly]

And if you want. If. Because it's, you know, we have to, like, read it in a segment. We can't read, like, super, super, like, paragraph, paragraph, paragraph. If you want to send, like, hey, this is a good section for the podcast. And you also just want to, like, talk, share, invent. We will. We will read all of them.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

But maybe if you just want to give, like, a little portion to read the podcast, we can do that, too. So write in if you want your story to be shared for Blake's besties starting next week. Starting next week. So you can email hello, the car, momofficial.com and with that. That's our episode.

[Liz]

No, that is our episode. We have to get to filming. We have to get to touring. I know.

[Kelly]

Really, recording tour is, like, the last thing I want to do right now.

[Liz]

Yeah, I know. We got to feed babies first.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

But I already have the car seat installed, so I'm just kind of ready to go.

[Kelly]

Okay, well, let's do it. So, guys, thank you so much for listening to the carpool podcast, and we'll talk to you next next time.

[Liz]

Bye. Thank you for listening to the carpool.

[Kelly]

Podcast with Kelly and Liz.

[Liz]

Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode.

[Kelly]

And if you enjoyed riding with us.

[Liz]

Tell everybody you know, there's room in the car for everyone.