Travelling with kids: the good, the bad, & the realistic

We've done lots of traveling in our eight years of parenting, and the number of children in our family just keeps growing! (although we are halted, for now at least!) I know that many people are intimidated to travel with their children, and believe me, I get that. It definitely is LOTS of work but with plenty of preparation and a good frame of mind, you can make it work and enjoy time as a family away from home! Here are some of my tips:

1.) Start making lists at least 2 weeks ahead of time. 

I don't start packing too early since we usually need the clothes I need to pack in the days leading up to the trip, but do go ahead and start a list well ahead of time.  I also keep a notepad and pencil by my bed during this time, including the night before the trip. That way, I can add anything since my brain seems to go into overdrive the night before we travel. Once it's on the list, I'm able to go back to sleep instead of saying, "Don't forget to pack sunscreen" in my head all night long.

Our 2011 trip- we drove to South Carolina for my cousin's wedding, then spent time in North Carolina as well. This is in a cave, trying to escape a rainstorm during a hike. :)
2.) Build in extra time for traveling. And then build in some more.

We have flown with a couple of times with our kids  (once from Texas to Australia! Hi, Aussies!), plus tons of road trips at each stage of our family. If you have the idea that you can show up at the airport 45 minutes before your flight as you may have done as a no-child family, you will start off  your trip harried and stressed.  Plan on arriving with at least 2 hours to spare so you can take your time checking in and checking baggage, going through security, taking potty breaks, and having a snack. Remember that e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. takes longer with little ones around! For driving trips, plan on stopping every 2-3 hours, depending on how old your kids are and how long they can go without using the restroom.

It's hard getting prepared to leave so early, but trust me, it's worth it to not be rushed.
3.) Pack complete kids' outfits in Ziploc bags Holding a Koala in Brisbane- One of my favorite experiences ever!
I did this on our trip to Australia when we had an almost-five-year-old and a three year old. (Did I mention I was also pregnant with #3? Call me crazy!) I put everything into gallon size bags- a shirt, pants or shorts, underwear, socks, and even a bow for my daughter.  This makes it SO much easier in the mornings when you're trying to dress your little ones and are running on little-to-no-sleep (hello, jet lag!).
4.) For driving trips, consider driving at night. My parents live 3 hours away from us, and we make the trip at least once a month. We have found that if we leave out around 7 p.m. and the kids haven't napped, it makes the trip much easier. They usually have a snack (are you seeing a recurring theme? Snacks are important!) and then will fall asleep by 8 and sleep until we get there. Many times, we are able to drive straight through with no stops! (Just make sure you are plenty rested for late-night excursions!)
5.) Adjust your expectations

This probably goes without saying, but a trip with littles around isn't going to be the same as a getaway with your hubby! My husband and I went to Colorado on our honeymoon 11 years ago, and we returned as a family this year to the same town. Hubby and I reminded each other for several weeks leading up to the trip that it would be a completely different trip, but still very fun. When it's just two of you, you can plan several activities per day and eat in nice restaurants. With the family, it's better to plan one main activity per day. When we do a long trip (7+ days) we usually have one day where we don't plan anything- just have a day of rest at the cabin/hotel so no one (including me!) gets worn out.
I'd love to know, what are your best tips for traveling with small children? What is your favorite place to visit?

I love a good deal, and I have one for you!

I wrote a post last week about modest, yet stylish swimsuits. I found a great list of really fun suits that you can find here. This week, I set out to find a swimsuit that I could actually, you know, swim in. I'm going to start swimming laps as exercise and I wanted something that would keep me covered. I went to Academy to look at their selection, and the Speed/Nikes were anywhere from $50 to $75! Not in the budget at this point.

So Friday afternoon, I was meeting a friend for frozen yogurt and I "only" had two kids with me, so I ran in a Ross across the street.

 The results?

 The same exact swimsuit that was at Academy for $50, on the rack, in my size (ish) for $16.99! You better believe I snapped that baby up. It's a tad big, but for a savings of $33, I can deal with it.

I can't keep all the good deals to myself, so here's a good deal for you:

this deal is now expired

 

Do you ever use Living Social? It's similar to Groupon- you can buy a certificate for a restaraunt/outing/item for a fraction of the price. I'm both a customer and an affiliate with them, and they sent out a code for 25% off their already amazing deals!

Just use code FATHERSDAY at checkout, until the end of today!

If you need a last minute Fathers' Day gift and are local to Houston, check out this photography class.

Or how about this massager? It obviously won't make it in time for Father's Day, but you can give your dad the promise of a sweet gift to come!

Head over to Living Social and snag a great deal!

Redemption instruction:

1. Take 25% off your next purchase for almost any deal* $100 or less on LivingSocial.com when you use promo code "FATHERSDAY".
2. Add Deal by clicking "Buy Now" button on the Deal information page.
3. Click on "Redeem promo code" during purchase process.
4. Enter code "FATHERSDAY" and hit apply.
5. The amount of the savings will be reflected on the final purchase confirmation page.

Terms and Conditions:

• *Not valid on any Takeout & Delivery Orders, and deals found on LivingSocial.com/escapes or LivingSocial.com/events.
• Promo code only good for Deals priced at $100 or less.
• Promo code must be used between June 13, 2013 12:00 a.m. EST and June 15, 2013, 11:59 p.m. PST
• One code use only per credit card
• Promotion requires a LivingSocial account, and is subject to terms and conditions found athere.
• Entire amount must be used in one transaction; no partial redemptions; may not be combined with any other offer.
• Promo codes not valid for ticket or Deal purchases required to be completed on a third party site.
• LivingSocial reserves the right to cancel the promotion at any time.
• This offer is single-use and non-transferrable.
• If you return your purchase, you will be refunded the amount paid.
• Offer good while supplies last.
• Void where prohibited.
• Valid in the US only.

the end of an era- my grandparents' life, love, and legacy

I promised the beginning of the Summer Scripture Memory today, but I'll have to postpone. 

at my wedding in 2001

If you follow my Facebook page, you know that I have lost both my maternal grandmother (Grandma) and grandfather (Papa) in the last 11 weeks. My grandma's funeral is today.

To say this is the end of a wonderful era is an understatement. My grandparents loved each of their 6 children, 17 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren so well. Although we're not perfect, our family truly enjoys being around one another.

 all 17 grandkids

I am so honored to have had my grandparents in my life for 33 years. They both taught me so much.

From my Grandma, who died Saturday, I learned about striving to be a godly mother. She instilled the love of God in her children and grandchildren. She was always, and I really mean always, so loving to her grandchildren. She kept us a lot growing up, and I only remember her scolding me once. That's because I'd climbed into a crib when I was about 10 years old, so I think I deserved a scolding! She suffered physically so much in her life, yet was active almost to the end. She had cancer twice, a heart attack, a stroke, broke a vertebrae, broke her shoulder, her nose, had congestive heart failure, and yet I rarely, rarely heard her complain. She was just such a sweet spirit and had a hug and a smile for everyone.

From my Papa, I learned to search the Scriptures for myself. Although we didn't agree 100% on everything, he taught me to think for myself and not be afraid to disagree with something just because it's tradition. He also lived life to the fullest- always out and about and visiting with people. His last words each time we left his house were always, "Shut that screen door and y'all come back!" He was healthy as a horse- despite his love affair with the salt shaker and desserts- until a few months before he died. He literally had been to the doctor twice in his life until October of last year. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in January of this year and was gone by March.

15 of the 17 great-grandkids.

From both of them, I learned the love of family. I was just thinking about how much time they poured into their family. With 17 grandkids, there was no shortage of ball games and school programs to attend. On top of that, they also attended whatever they could for their 17 great-grandchildren as well. Papa always took the grandkids and great grandkids on four-wheeler rides, and grandma spent time in playing with us. They even traveled to Florida for my husband's graduation from seminary- and he's their grandson-in-law!

I am so thankful for the impact they each had on my life. They are both a great part of who I am today.
I'll end with their special goodnight saying they had for each other:

"I love you most, best, better, and that's the magic words."