road tips part 1: packing

So, within the past 24 hours, I've had three people ask me for insight and ideas on traveling with kids.  Instead of responding to each of them separately with way too much information, I'm going to put some thoughts and experience here, in a few sections, and then anyone can take or leave what is useful!

By the way - I love traveling with our family.  We've gone all over the country and even ventured into rural Mexico and urban Canada with the kids.  We've camped, we've flown, we've driven, and we've generally had a great time.  Most of these tips are from experience, tried and refined, or outright stolen from family and friends who are more experienced than I.  Hopefully it's helpful for you!

While most of my tips are centered around preparation and packing, I'm going to break it down a little into the "stuff" vs. "living" portions.  Today, planning, picking, and packing stuff...

ROAD RULES of PACKING:

Rule #1: Less Is More.

Pack what you need, enjoy what is offered, and live within your means.

Rule #2: Be Like Santa.

Make a list and check it twice (at least).

Rule #3: Ziploc is Your Friend.

Really.

Rule #1: Less is more.  Keep this in mind when planning the number and variety of activities per day, how many items to take, or what to bring for each individual.  As you plan, find ways to share and cooperate as a family, and plan to restock if needed along the way.  More than just "getting along," cooperation means that, whenever possible, everyone uses the same items (soap, toothpaste, etc.), does the same things (stops, entertainment, etc), and stays together.

Pack like items together.  For example: 

• put everyone's night-time toiletries in one bag/container, instead of separating each person's stuff
• pack a first aid kid, for day-to-day needs to emergency supplies (more details below)
• have a binder for all of your documents, receipts, plans and maps

Plan for items to have multiple uses.  For example:

• for road trips, pack clothes in rubbermaid tubs rather than luggage (they're easily more stacked in a car trunk or at a host home)
• take clothing that can be layered, and things that can be worn as easily to a casual dinner with the relatives as on a quick hike or shopping trip
• consider giving each child (especially young ones) a specific "color" to wear on your trip, so that their clothes mix & match, and can be laundered easily (this was also helpful for our kids when we were in Mexico, since the boys were easier for others to tell apart)
• take toys or entertainment that everyone can enjoy, and leave anything that could endanger one of your family at home
• take an extra pillow case for holding dirty laundry; take your own pillow for comfort
• take a couple of towels - for drying off after an impromptu run in the park sprinklers, mopping up spilled coffee in the car, or (heaven forbid) wrapping up a barfy or poopy child
• take a simple, biodegradable soap for quickly washing/stain-treating laundry, bodies, utensils, or general cleanup (i.e. castile soap)
• pack an "overnight" bag or bin for everyone's must-have items (pj's, basic toiletries, change of underwear, etc)  If you're flying, make this a carry-on.

Final thoughts on this all-important Rule:

1. Take nothing that is irreplaceable.  This includes favorite toys, heirloom sweaters, prized sports memorabilia, etc.  I consider library books in this category, so we don't take things we've borrowed.  If you gain something irreplaceable along your way, consider mailing it home instead of packing it for the rest of the journey (and potentially losing/damaging the item). 
2. Use travel size containers for as many items as possible.  I wasn't always a fan of travel-size items, but after several journeys, I'm a believer.  Ask your hosts if you can refill things (i.e. shampoo) or simply take a couple little packs rather than a single larger version.  This will minimize the damage from spills, limit loss if you forget an item, and conserves space (you likely won't need an entire full-size bottle on your trip!)  TIP: you can use small plastic food containers or baby food jars instead of buying travel-size bottles and save $$.
3. If taking a baby, pack enough diapers for your days of actual travel, plus 1 extra day's worth (for a newborn, plan on about 8-10 diapers per day, for older babies, plan on 5-6 diapers a day).  When you arrive at your destination, purchase diapers (or ask your hosts to get them ahead of time) to use for the duration of your stay and travel back home.  Or, if you're taking cloth diapers... um, I dunno.
4. Take sunscreen and bug spray, etc. that is safe for everyone in your family, and use it on everyone.  Nothing says "ruined vacation" like west nile virus or 2nd degree burns.
5. Take only one hat for each person (unless you're attending a wedding in London).  
6. Plan to re-wear (if needed) pants, and maybe socks.  (Or, like my kids, just don't wear socks.)  Pack fewer shoes than you think you'll need, and prioritize comfort.
7. Take an extra shirt and extra underwear in your carry-on or overnight bag.

Rule #2: Be Like Santa - make a list and check it twice (at least)

• Label everything you take.    

Label your luggage or bins, your clothes, your ziploc bags of snacks, your purse, your medicine, your binder (more later), your cell phone, your cell phone charger (to tell apart from somebody else's charger),  your ziploc clothes bags (more later...), your first aid kit categories (more later...), your toys, etc.  Yeah, that too... Label it.

• Have an "inventory" list of what you've packed for each category (i.e. toiletries, toys, clothing, jewelry, books, etc.) so you'll know if something is missing before you depart.  You may want to attach this list to the top of your packing container or luggage.

I know this probably sounds like over-kill on organization.  Trust me, packing up at each destination is much easier if you know what goes where, what you brought, and what you're taking.  In our travels, it's hard to coordinate lots of people, sometimes lacking rest and interest, with varied attention to detail, to pack things up effectively. Don't leave these sorts of tasks to your brain alone!

• Put together a "Trip Binder" to keep important papers in one, protected place.  In this binder, I suggest keeping some or all of these pages:

Include your planned budget and an expense-tracking sheet(s).  Also have a large envelope (or pocket sheet protector) to hold all of your receipts in one place.  If you're driving, keep a mileage log and/or vehicle expenses space in your tracking sheets.

Include a list of emergency contacts from home (your doctor(s) info, medical insurance numbers, bank, credit card company, neighbor, dog-watcher, dog watcher-watcher, etc).  

Include an itinerary, with maps and printed directions to your destinations/accommodations.   Yes, this is even (especially?) if you have GPS!  Also write down your hosts' phone numbers.

Include confirmation numbers and printed copies of receipts if you reserve and/or pre-pay for rooms, events, sites, or other items.   

Include a photocopy of important documents, like passports, insurance cards, front/back of credit cards, prescriptions, etc. in case you must replace something on the road.

Include a copy of any schedules and contact numbers for people or pets you've left behind.  We keep a calendar to track house-sitters, work substitutes, dog-watchers, etc. with the contact info for each person, just in case something has to be communicated or changed while we were gone.

Include a few blank cards, envelopes, and stamps to send thank-you's or other needed notes from the road.  For your kids, you may want to pick up postcard stamps so they can write and send notes to friends back home.

Include something for comic relief.  Sometimes, you need a little something to get you through a challenging stretch of travel - say, an airline delay or road construction slow-downs.  It could be a list of jokes, riddles, or silly song lyrics.  It could be story starters or travel games.  It could be a list of tourist stops you don't plan on using, but might if you have time or need a diversion (Wall Drug, anyone?).

Rule #3: Ziploc is Your Friend.  Really.
At home, we don't use plastic storage much.  When traveling, we use it for everything.  People have laughed at me - outright mocking me with jokes (some were even funny).  Then, they called me later and said, "how do I do this?" as they planned their own journeys.  Laugh on, friends...

1. Pack toiletries together by category in a ziploc bag.  Have a bag per type of use (i.e. bathing, teeth, makeup, hair, etc.)
2. Clothes.  Yes, in ziploc bags.  
1. In a gallon-size ziploc bag, put one complete outfit (easiest in the summer), complete with clean underwear and socks.  As I say, if the underwear is in there, your kids have to make a real choice not to wear clean ones each day!  
2. Pack as many of outfits as you need for each person, each in its own bag.  
3. Put the bags in luggage or a rubbermaid container (see above) for each family member (or share a couple people to each - this method really saves space!) 
4. When you arrive at a destination, you can either take your entire luggage/containers in with you, or just grab one bag per person and your overnight bag, and head inside.  
3. Put each person's pajamas in its own ziploc bag.  Put pajama bags in your overnight luggage, so you don't have to rifle through everything to find jammies.  Also keep your toiletries in the overnight luggage.
4. Label your clothing bags with names, and (especially if flying), put a few outfits for each person in each piece of luggage.  If luggage is lost en route, you'll likely each have something to wear for a few days.
5. Put swimsuits, along with goggles, hats, etc. for each person in their own ziploc bags.  When you get to a pool, simply give each person his/her suit.  Dry clothes are stored in the bag while you swim, and wet suits are stored in the bag afterward (you'll want to dry those later on!)
6. Put toys or entertainment objects of similar type in a ziploc bag, and label the contents.  For example "6 matchbox cars," in one bag, or "barbie and three outfits,""board books,""ipod and charger," or "deck of playing cards" each in its own bag.  Limit kids to only a few types of entertainment items, and put their ziplocs in their own, small bag.

And finally, (at least for this installment)...

The First Aid Kit for Travel:
**Separate "like items" into categories (suggestions below), and place in small, labeled ziploc bags.  Then, pack all of the bags together in a single, easily accessed kit. **

"Bumps and Scrapes" bag

band-aids, neosporin, arnica, disinfecting wipes, instant ice/heat pack, etc.

"Fevers and Pain" bag

tylenol, advil, midol, teething gel, etc.

"Allergies and Medications" bag

hydrocortisone cream, benadryl, eye drops, epi-pens, etc.

"Digestive and Motion" bag

dramamine, antacids, mints, pepto, etc.

other categories as needed...

????

"Distract and Divert" bag

gum, lollipop or hard candy, tiny bubbles bottle, stickers, etc to help distract and divert little people's attention from an injury, drama, or treatment.

Ufdah!  That's a lot for one topic, but hopefully there's something useful here!  In the next installment, I'll talk a bit about ideas for saving money, time, and stress in feeding your family while traveling.  Until then, happy planning!

thirteen things that save

I'm going to try to post a Thursday Thirteen list each week this year... no promises of perfection, but it's a fun way to challenge my creativity! There are hundreds of others who meet the challenge well, so check them out, too.

This week, I'm sharing tips that save.  Time, money, and sanity always seem to be at a premium for me this time of year, especially while we "recover" from a busy holiday season. Hopefully some of these are useful as "saving" ideas - or for a timely chuckle! :)

1. Photo or artwork cards. Not sure what to do with that 190th crayon drawing or paint-stamped art project from preschool? Do you have a few photos from Christmas? Cut or trim them to card-size shapes, then label and paste to the front of inexpensive cards. You will have personalized cards to use as thank-you's or notes, and the recipients will get to enjoy a bit of your life and art.


2. Set a budget, and use cash.  Figure out what you spend weekly (or want to spend weekly) on things like groceries, gas, etc.  Withdraw the cash for that amount, and spend what you have from each category.  This takes a while to get used to, but eventually really saves you from the end-of-the-month surprises on your bank or credit card statement.  It is also a sure-fire way to stick to a budget (once the money is gone, it's gone!)


3. Shop online for gifts, books, clothing, etc.  There are purchase you make once in a while, like back to school, growth spurts, birthday presents, etc.  You can go to a store for those things, but how does $5 in shipping really compare to loading everyone into the car, parking, driving around town, and going in and out of stores to find what you're looking for? Retailers often have free or flat-rate shipping (and often free returns!), so take advantage of it and save yourself the trips, time, and cost. Plus, online shopping usually matches up to my "list," reducing impulse buys of those must-have sales on store shelves.


4. Clean the bathroom while giving the kids a bath. This really only works if you have little kids who are comfortable playing in the tub. I imagine teenagers want their privacy, as do roommates. (If you don't have kids, imagine the challenge of being elbow-deep in cleaning supplies while the house gets eerily silent with mischief - yikes!) I fill the tub with bath bubbles and set the kids in with their little rubber toys. Then, I set to work on the toilet, sink, mirrors, etc., easily keeping my eyes on the Obi's while getting everything & everybody clean. Once the room is sparkly, I take the kiddos out of the tub and wrap them in cozy towels, then scrub the tub before taking my own shower.  Presto!


5. Eat a big breakfast. There's more about saving money and eating well here, but remember that the cheapest meal to eat healthfully is breakfast. Walk past those boxes of cereal and granola bars and get some oatmeal from the bulk grocery section. Cook a big batch of scrambled eggs and drink lots of water in the morning. For less than a dollar, you can feed the entire family a breakfast that will keep them satisfied (and eating less snack-stuff) all morning.


6. Use safe, non-toxic cleaning supplies. White vinegar, baking soda, castile or organic all-purpose soap, and microfibre cloths. There's not much you can't get really clean with these things, they're safe for the environment, and they cost much less than the chemical-laden products. Plus, if I use safe stuff like this, the kiddos can help. Bonus!


7. Buy real fruit and veggies for snacks. It's so much less expensive, and far healthier, to eat an apple rather than an apple-flavored granola bar or fruit snack packages, and your metabolism will thank you for the carrot sticks you ate instead of the chips. Get the real thing, and thank yourself later.


8. Rest time.  You think you don't have time for it.  I tell you, you don't have time to skip it! Make quiet and have everyone take a mid-day break.  Your body, mind, and spirit will have time to grow.


9. Plan meals.  I used to think this was only for the super-organized.  Folks, I'm far from super-organized, but it saves me time & money (plus our health is far better) when I plan our menu a week at a time.  


10. Shop once a week, or less, for groceries.  Set one day as your "grocery day."  Make a list (see above), check your pantry, and get it done in one swoop.  You'll save time, trips, and probably money as you avoid multiple hungry-shopping moments each week.


11. Have people in your home.  You meant to do it last year, but the neighbors are still just over-the-fence faces, right?  Put it on your calendar - host somebody once a month at least (better if you get to once a week or so).  The important thing is, have somebody into your space on a regular basis.  Your house will stay a bit more kept up, and you'll let go of perfectionist notions after a while.  Your meal dollars and ingredients can stretch more than you know, and you'll build "others" into your budget easily.  Ideas to get started: lunch on a Sunday, dinner on a Tuesday, host a small group from church, or play group with a couple other parents. If you don't know your invitees very well, have more than one new face invited. Your house doesn't have to be perfect, your food can be take-out, but it's important to get people into your life - literally!


12. Plan a vacation.  It happens frequently - we want to go somewhere, but another month (or year) goes by and we haven't set aside the time or money to do so.  Open a free savings account at nearly any bank, and set up an auto-payment into it every pay day.  In little time, you'll build the money needed for a vacation.  Start looking at the calendar and give yourself a window (say, "any time in August") so you can shop for the best travel deals for that time and be flexible with work needs.  Work within your budget and remember to set aside a bit for fun adventures or souvenir shopping.  Go someplace you haven't been, try camping this year, or visit those friends who moved away.  


13. Start a prayer journal.  I've done this in the past, and am moving back into the habit.  Keep record of the things (specifics) you pray about.  When somebody asks you to pray, write it down here.  Look back through it periodically and you'll have plenty to praise Him for, and you'll remember those needs.  Then, rejoice in how your prayers are answered!  It's sadly easy to forget God's faithfulness, and it's also easy to lose perspective.  Perhaps He answered a prayer in a different way than you asked or expected, or perhaps it seems as if He's staying silent.  If you've written things down and reviewed it on occasion, you'll have something to encourage and inform your prayer life. 

May you save much and enjoy even more this year!  

blessings,

MamaToo

spring cleaning

As I mentioned in my little story (here), allergies are in full bloom around here. I've been suffering, or perhaps more accurately, insufferable, for a couple weeks. I'm not a big fan of taking medication, but I admit one helps me a bit. However, it's not really a solution to the core problem (irritated sinuses & eyes, likely caused by everything in the air). Allergy drugs just mask the symptoms, even while making life a bit more tolerable.

I know the basic things that lessen allergies: lots of water, low sugar intake, low dairy, staying inside, using air purifiers, wearing a mask, yada yada yada... In spite of it all, I remain firmly attached to my box of kleenex.

So, my mom suggested cleaning. I have been cleaning! That's part of the problem! Cleaning stirs up everything so I can breath it en masse! I insisted that cleaning is not going to help. Perhaps this is true, or perhaps I don't like to clean. You decide.

Mom clarified: clean your sinuses. There's something called a Neti Pot, and it basically washes away all of the irritants to naturally alleviate allergies and sinusitis. My aunt swears by it, and it's been used around the world for a Very Long Time. Remarkably, a Neti Pot is easy enough to find: available in just about every drug store, usually at ankle level, under the various allergy drugs. :)

Basically, a Neti Pot uses saline (like our tears). With a little tilt of your head, you wash out your nose. Easy as that. Gross? Yes, definitely. I'm so glad there are not hidden cameras in my bathroom. In fact, if it weren't for this wonderful world-wide-web, you probably wouldn't know I did this.

Yet, I feel much better! I even look better. I can breathe (so convenient). I can see (how this helped my eyes is still a medical mystery for me). I can just say no to drugs again.

Now, I'm no doctor. Please don't take your medical advice from me. Talk to your doctor, or ask Oprah - she evidently did a show about Neti Pots (and where was I? eating bon bons? cleaning up poop? creating a fabulous dinner?). Check out a neti pot, and let me know how it works for you!

Yours in health,
MamaToo

meal money

A northwest governor recently made some news by his public "Hunger Awareness Week" campaign. Basically, the governor and his wife chose to live on the food stamp allowance for a week, to demonstrate the tough choices his state's poor face when feeding a family on food stamps. This meant they had a budget of roughly $21 per person, per week, to eat all of their meals.

"I'd hate to be an Oregonian when it's Transvestite Awareness Week."
(from Kirsten Stewart on The Onion)
Amen. :)

One article portrayed the heart-wrenching choice between Progresso soup and Noodles-in-a-cup for lunch, and the agony of having to give back a couple bananas in order to keep on budget.

Puh-leeze.

I recognize the blessing of not needing food stamps. Seeing a friend face the challenges of living with that need gave me insight on the day-by-day challenge of poverty. I am grateful for her courage and honesty, and encouraged by people who are willing to help, rather than judge, those in need. We are blessed as we bless.

Here's the thing that annoyed me in all the press about the "Hunger" week: many of the governor's sacrifices in price meant sacrifices in his nutrition. The press made it seem that keeping a lean budget requires eating poorly. Couple that with the staggering obesity among the poor, and I think Oregon's governor missed an opportunity to challenge all of his state's citizens to re-think their grocery budget.

Couldn't all of us be more judicious every week - not just in honor of Hunger Appreciation Week - but in good stewardship? $21 per person is a slender, but manageable, budget in my opinion, and one doesn't have to have noodles-in-a-cup to make it work. It takes a bit of time to get used to, but I think most people could choose to waste less, use less, and spend less when it comes to our food choices. And... we could still eat well.

In the Kenobi household, we try to help drive demand for better products, and that means choosing where we spend our money. We support sustainable agriculture and healthy living with our groceries and household purchases. Organic veggies, non-hormone-filled meats & dairy, whole grains, and plenty of sweet fruits fill our meals and snacks. Not to get legalistic, we even have room for some delicious sweets! These all tend to be better nutrition and frequently better in an ethical sense. (A great deal is made of this in The Ethical Gourmet, among other writings.)

Unfortunately, those choices often cost more. Sure, that bugs me! WHY, oh why, does a healthy option always seem to be a "premium" item? I'm hopeful for a day when my kids won't have to pay extra to have good, whole foods and safer, less-toxic environments. In the meantime, though, it is possible to eat well, support good production, and spend less.

We're thankful for what we have, we're happy to share, and we're not griping about the budget.

good day to balance an egg

When I was little, every year we'd balance an egg (on its end) on this day. What a great way to get a science lesson & see this phenomenom of the vernal equinox.
I've heard that it's not really all that scientific, and generally relies less on earth equilibrium and more on the right combination of egg shape & patience. Turns out there is a lot more information dispelling the idea than backing it up. Nonetheless, it's pretty cool and a great intro for kids (or anyone) to get into earth science.

http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/errata/a/equinox_eggs.htm

I'm off the kitchen to get an egg (not hard boiled) and try it once again. Never too late to be amazed!