Preparing to Travel

 

In a few days we are embarking on a trip overseas. I have been very quiet on my blog recently because I have been busy making a flowergirl dress, getting a new passport, flu shots, international drivers license, redirecting mail, booking dog kennels, reserving car hire, signing off on paperwork to hold spots in classes and school, tying up loose ends at work and all the bits and bobs that go with leaving the country for a few weeks. Usually this doesn’t all require so much planning but all of a sudden things take 3 times as long to get done around the house and I give all the credit to Miss 3 and her sidekick, who just learnt how to move!

You would think that after all the trips we have done that I would be a pro at packing, but for some reason I am struggling this time. It may be because I am leaving in socks and trackies and arriving in swimmers and thongs (sorry flip flops for the non-Aussies). It may be because my wardrobe is filled with maternity clothes that are 2 sizes too big for me now. It may be because I want to take all of the girls clothes because they are all adorable. It may be because I am so tired from lack of sleep that I just can’t see straight. It may be because every time I put something in the suitcase my helpers take 3 things out and add in 2 more that I didn’t even know we had. It may be because every time I do a load of washing it rains and nothing dries. Hmm, there seems to be a lot going against me, no wonder I am struggling.

My pack list looks like this: clothes, shoes, undies, swimmers, toiletries, baby paraphernalia, secret stash of goodies to keep children happy, e-gadgets. Should be easy, right?! Once I figure out what to pack, the next problem is figuring out how to pack it all into easily movable bags, as it is inevitable that as we are moving around the airport one child will be asleep but only if being cuddled, one will be demanding a constant stream of snacks in between requests for toilet stops and security will want to see what the small item is at the bottom of the bag packed so tightly that everything has to come out to get to it. Oh, and please remove your shoes while you are at it.

I think I have procrastinated long enough. I need to go take the baby out of the suitcase she just climbed into and unravel Miss 3 from all the outfits she just put on over the top of each other.

How do you prepare for travel with kids in the house?