Packing Up

Well our spring break came to an end this weekend and we are back to the every day realities of being home.   I feel as though we waited for so long for our much needed break and it was over in a flash.  We had so much fun soaking up the sun and warm weather.  Lotsa beach time and hours in the pool.  Preparing for a family vaca takes some thought and I want to share how I pack up a family of 6 for an 8 day vacation.  We have taken so many trips over the years that I feel I have become somewhat of a packing-pro.  We don't necessarily pack light but it's extremely organized.

  

I have discovered especially being a mother to 3 sons that it is important to pack outfits for the boys and separate them into clear gallon sized zipper bags.  That way in the morning when they are getting dressed they can reach into the suitcase and pull out a bag that contains the clothes for the day-shirt, shorts, socks and underwear.  This keeps them from digging around in the suitcase and enables them to get ready themselves.  

My oldest son is going off to sleep away camp this summer for a week and I plan to pack him this way so he knows exactly what to wear.  I'm not sayin' that all boys have a difficult time finding clothes to wear but mine do:)

Outfits for the week.

I limit the kids to one large suitcase which stays under the 50lb limit and one carry-on.  Husby and I fit our things in one additional large suitcase.  

I keep in mind as I'm packing:

1. We never need as much as I think we will-pack mostly necessities.

2. We will purchase things on our trip that we'll have to have room for on the return.

3. We can always hit the store in case we forget something.

Extras I don't like to leave home without:

swimsuits

sunglasses

sunscreens

a great beach bag 

goggles for the kids

white noise machine

comfortable shoes

wipes

a good book

snacks and activities for the plane found here.

Hope this helps when you find yourself packing up the fam on your next trip.  I am already dreaming and planning for our next family vacation!  Planning to share some vacation photos in a later post!

Happy Monday!  

Vacation Favorites

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Well just a couple more days til we leave for spring break!!!  It's been such a long winter I can't wait fora bit of fun and sun.  I try to pack basic pieces for myself and then accessorize with pops of color. It enables mixing and matching and less to bring in the big ole suitcase. Packing for a family of six can be a long process but when we're headed to the beach we don't need to bring much.  Swimsuits and sunscreen are at the top of my list!   Not only do I pack the bags for the fam but I must remember the entertainment for the trip itself. That's the fun of traveling with kids:) Check out these tips for traveling with kids.

Here are some more great versatile mom picks for vacation fashion:

J.Crew Flats · J.Crew Hats · J.Crew Shorts

Happy Travels

It's the season for travel.  Long trips in the car and cross country flights-ahh sounds dreamy!  

For those of you who are off to grandma's for the holidays or anywhere for that matter I have some tricks that make traveling with little ones a breeze. 

We travel quite a bit for a family of six and in order to make the trip go smoothly we pack lots of tricks and plenty of treats.  

One of the tricks that works like a charm with toddlers is a snack box.  I use a clear plastic tool box and I fill each little compartment with small colorful snacks and treats.

This snack box is great for plane rides because it will keep your child quite busy for a long period of time.  I use things like baby goldfish, small cereal, raisins or crasins, tiny pretzels, fruit snacks, m&ms, nuts, tiny cookies.  Any sort of small, finger treats.  I also think a key component to its success is the variety and newness of the treats. 

Try to pick foods that your toddler doesn't eat on a regular basis.-Fun foods.  

Another version of this is the weekly pill box.  

Purchase a weekly pill container and place a sticker over each day.  

Fill each compartment with tiny snacks.  

Toddlers love to open each compartment and eat the surprise inside.  Fun for hours!  

I also bring individual snack bags for the older children so that each child is responsible for their own snacks.  I let them be the boss of their own bags so that I don't have to be in charge of their food during the flight.

Some other tricks that we always bring on trips:

Magnets and magnetic board

Books, books and more books

Coloring books, crayons and/or markers

Clip boards and paper

Stickers and sticker books

Post It Notes (toddlers can stick and peel these all over and they can be easily removed)

Match box cars and planes

Word Searches/Math Practice Books

Travel games

I pods-download games and movies

Hope these ideas help keep your kids busy on long trips.  I would love to hear your ideas!!!!