pre-trip road trip

January7th

9 Comments

Posted in: babes in toyland, out and about

Thank you for all of your well wishes on our trip. I do believe that we need them. I welcome and desperately need any ideas to make the trip easier. Things to pack. Games to play. Music to listen to. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. Like should I pack individual ‘car packs’ for the kids so they each have their own things? Come on mamas… I need you.

$there\'s just something about this guy$

Today we did a mini-roadtrip to San Antonio to pick up a much needed portable DVD player from grandma and grandpa’s house. While we were in town we arranged an outing to the San Antonio Zoo with my fabulous sister-in-law and her beautiful little girls. My kids adore their cousins just about as much as I adore my sister from another mother… and father.

9 Comments

Comment by misty — January 7, 2009 @ 5:50 pm

these photos are great! and quite the opposite of the snowy ones we’ll be seeing from you!
Comment by Courtney — January 7, 2009 @ 6:21 pm

When my kids were that age we traveled a LOT. Here are some of the things that helped us:
-Jim Weiss CDs (www.greathall.com) … an *amazing* storyteller that entertains adults as well as children
-a surprise bag for each kid with snacks and small treats (paper/crayons); the snacks were out-of-the-ordinary treats in individual serving sizes (sugary cereal, fruit snacks, etc.)
-a small wrapped treat for them to open at rest stops or gas breaks (*after* they went to the potty!); the novelty of opening made up for the lack of imagination for the items within (small notepad, stickers, etc.)
-aluminum foil … toss it in the back seat at watch the creativity blossom; sometimes we’d all make sculptures and display them around the car
-post-it notes … the kids would draw/write then stick these all over the windows
-hide and seek … I *still* have a little toy that I keep in the glove compartment just for this purpose! Everyone in the back seat closes eyes while I hide it somewhere visible (e.g., peeking out of my headrest, perched on my husband’s ball cap, tucked into the cupholder)
-scotch tape!
Comment by Carla — January 7, 2009 @ 10:39 pm

I adore you too! Our guys are so lucky to have us!! Good luck on your trip! If you survive, I’ll maybe think about driving more than 3 hours!
Comment by JENN — January 8, 2009 @ 1:00 am

Ah, the road trip! My kids are actually really good travelers most of the time. On a few trips I’ve put a collapsible cloth box (got at target) on the floor board for each kid. Then they got to choose a few of their favorite things to go in it. Books, toys, lap blanket, etc. That way the kids can help choose what we took, and there was a place to organize it all. And that’s important for me… If you remember I’m not exactly organized:) Oh, and don’t forget I-Spy! Those kids sure do love to hunt for stuff… Good luck!
Comment by angela — January 8, 2009 @ 7:45 am

I love a good road trip! The best investment we ever made was the portable DVD player. I’m glad that you have one already. My two girls have special roadtrip bags. Yes, their own bags…believe me separate bags are the way to go. The best thing I put in there is the travel magna doodle…but I also add a couple of books, their favorite dolls, and in the small pockets I hide tiny toys like little people, small horses, tiny Yoda or Super Mario figures. Cups and snacks are, of course, essential. Most of all we spend a lot of time talking about all the fun we’re going to have once we get there. Have a great time!
Comment by Ali — January 8, 2009 @ 12:53 pm

Oh I second the ‘bag of ones own’ idea – it worked a dream for my two on a whole week with a lot of in-car time. I put new pencils, notebooks, a couple of puzzle/game thingies, small cars and figures and a new book or two. I also read aloud a family book (Pippi Longstocking) which they ADORED.

Good luck.
Comment by Eren — January 8, 2009 @ 7:05 pm

You are well on your way by now, but sending well wishes as you travel. Hope it goes as planned. And i ditto the suggestion about books on CD, that always keeps my boys interested for a good amount of time.
Comment by Andrea — January 8, 2009 @ 9:06 pm

Not a mama yet. Don’t own a car. I’m no help! But I hope your trip is wonderful, and a bit adventurous in all of the best ways! Can’t wait to hear about it when you get back.
Comment by Manoute — January 9, 2009 @ 12:22 pm

Have a safe trip and enjoy your trip!
Sorry, I am not very helpful, no kid and no car either!
Can’t wait to see the beautiful pix I’m sure you will take!