Hiatus is Over

Jules here-

We know we have been incredibly slacking on posting.  However, with the start of Lent today, I have made a vow to increase my blog entries-- except on Phone-Free Fridays of course!

So what have we been up to that has consumed our time and effort? Well- Ems is still growing her baby which will hopefully arrive by this weekend.. and I did an impromptu drive to visit her last week!  Our mother had an untimely broken arm which inhibits her driving, so Ems' well-thought-out-baby-arrival-plan hit a hiccup with this development.  Being an awesome sister, I decided to up and drive my mom to Ohio for our annual trip (that had been delayed from the fall).    Plus I am in the process of buying a house, moving, and working... just a tad busy.

I will blog about my incredible, whirlwind visit next time, but for now, I am going to focus on my 13 hour return trip solo with three kids in a minivan.

No, this isn't my minivan. Mine is filthy.

Evening before:
I packed all snacks, equipment, toys, games, books, etc. in easily accessible containers. I used many of the snacks & techniques I did for last year's trip.  

2 AM: Alarm went off.  Confused, fatigued, and very cold, I stumbled around gathering last minute items, filling up water cups, and putting on pants.  After waking the children, I forced them to try to go potty and then threw them in the car.

2:45 AM: Departure. It was -8 degrees outside when I left Ohio for the return trip and my windows kept icing on the inside of the car. I had to have my defrost on super-high for the first 3 hours of the trip, and the side windows were still completely frosted. I used old CD cases to scrape it to make little peepholes to see oncoming traffic.  Luckily, most people sleep at this time.

3-4 AM: Ah, children are sleeping.... wait.... what.... I peered into the rearview mirror as I drove under a street lamp and my 3 year-old son's eyes glinted wide awake back. It was like a horror movie, I almost screamed:

Side note: After Googling "Killers in Backseat" images I will never sleep again.

4 AM-5 AM: Lord, I was tired. How do truckers do this? Speed, I think. Well, I had sprees and jujubes.  I consumed an entire 2,000 calorie diet by 6 AM.

5 AM-6 AM: Listened to Emma, by Jane Austen on CD.  Quite witty, entertaining, and still couldn't keep me focused.  Initiated "chair exercises while on cruise control"-- Luckily my therapy training has made me a master of exercises one can preform with limited mobility.  I now have buns of steel... strike that- I ate 3 bags of chocolate-covered pretzels- buns are now squishy again.

Still waiting to outgrow my candy habit.

6:30 AM: Two youngest awoke. Ugh.  Shoved pre-made bagels with cream cheese at them while discussing how much longer the journey would be and that they should try to sleep more...  No luck, wide awake.

6:55 AM: Sunrise somewhere in Pennsylvania.  When your GPS says "292 miles until your next turn" it is quite demoralizing. Pennsylvania is a loooonnnggg state.  Sunrise quite pretty and I tried to capture on my flip phone:

Eh. O.k.

It really looked more like:

Picture I stole from the Internet that looks like the sunrise. It was this pretty.

8 AM: Eldest wakes up.  Time for our first stop-- over 5 hours after we started, and I drank two cokes by this point. I pushed past the kids to the bathroom first....

8:20 AM:  Back on the road.  Set up DVD player in case we need it, gave snacks/drinks out, and back on the road.

8:30-10:30 AM: No memory.  I think we listened to a book on CD, argued a bit, ate more food, and then resigned ourselves to the day in the car. At one point, we listened to 30 minutes of Patriotic Songs for Kids.  It is a Grand Old Flag, really.

10:45 AM: Time for 1 hour movie. Woo-hoo! Pressed play with remote. Nothing happened. Tried again. Nothing happened.  Our movie worked on the way out and we used it plugged into the home plug as well. But now, in my hour of need...it has failed me (later I have determined that it is my electrical jack...)  Passed books back to the two youngest for an hour....

11:30 AM: Started looking for McDonalds.... and looking, and looking.... Seriously, suddenly there were no fast food restaurants....

12:30 PM: Found exit with McDonalds, but it was one of those sneaky "really-3 miles off the exit" McDonalds. Not amused with the extra drive.   Obtained food, gas, and bathroom breaks.  Divvied out meals, ketchup set up (we do not eat in the restaurant on trips), and enforced a 30 second jumping jack/squat routine in the parking lot.

12:50 PM: Back on the road.  After french fries were all devoured, I attempted to have "quiet time" to get the younger two to rest.  Quiet time made me sleepy... back to eating.

1:30 PM:  Lissie passed out!! James, unfortunately, still awake.  Gave him gum.  Counted down states as we went: Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont.... come on New Hampshire.... just a bit longer.... Put in last kids book on CD.

3 PM: Yeah! New Hampshire! Full of hope, we put on our favorite Frozen CD and acted out every song. Well, I acted out every song- it kept me quite wide awake. 

4 PM: Land ho!! We made it.... now we had to unpack and make dinner....

Wow, that trip really flew by. Just kidding.  But kudos to my kids who didn't cry, scream, or throw fits!

Easy Rule #535- Nothing is easy about long road trips with young kids, but keep positive, calm, and happy-- and bring a lot of snacks.

An Old-Fashioned Fourth

Jules here-

Good Old Uncle Sam (on stilts)

 Growing up in Delaware, the Fourth of July included a "Community Days" type fair at our local park and fire works at the local college field.  Plus sweltering, oppressive heat.  Though I enjoyed the events, I never felt truly patriotic until I arrived in New Hampshire.  Maybe because the colonies started in New England or because the small-town ambiance creates a perfect parade setting, but I have never felt so American until I moved here.

2013 Bike Parade Participants

We attend the annual parade in Amherst, New Hampshire, the town over from mine, and have been delighted with the family-friendly atmosphere.  From the reading of the Declaration of Independence to face-painting flags, you become enveloped in an American scene straight out of a movie.  Children decorate their bikes to start out the parade, and then the floats, marching bands, and political powerhouses march through the streets.  Being the first primaries state, I have seen presidential candidates, governors, senators, even Mitt Romney came a couple of years ago.  Watching our electoral system and freedom of speech also strengthens that patriotic environment.

photo credit: www.simplelifejoy.com

My children get free balloons, popcorn, and even popsicles from local businesses and churches--everyone is friendly, welcoming, and celebratory during the event.  The 1700-era, brick colonials line the parade route with American flags draped throughout making a fantastic backdrop to the homemade floats.

2011 Amherst Parade-- Lissie was a tad younger...

My children look forward to the bagpipers, firetrucks, free political stickers (only some I let them wear), and yummy food.  The parade lasts for over an hour, and you can saunter through the midway events (such as a petting zoo, colonial re-enactors, and balloon animal making) before and after the parade.  Usually the parade is HOT, but we can cool off with and Italian ice and sitting in the shady, old oaks on the town green.

James & Mommy enjoying the parade

Besides the patriotic parade, we also enjoyed yummy Fourth of July French Toast, flag fruit kabobs (courtesy of my neighbor Lisa) and even flag pudding pops for dessert (also courtesy of Lisa-- I may have introduced her to pinterest).  We shared a fabulous barbecue dinner with our neighbors and even had some fancy holiday-inspired drinks.  Though our fireworks were delayed due to rain, we experienced the true "meaning" of the holiday: pride and appreciation for our fantastic free country!!

Easy Rule #70476- Don't forget our founding fathers on the Fourth!

Easy Rule #7890- Find the right locale for your celebration- sometimes it will rejuvenate your holiday spirit!

And parades wear out little ones--

Top Ten Airline Travel Tips with Kids

Jules here-

Fresh off of a plane trip with kids, I wanted to list my top ten suggestions for traveling with kids.  Now, I am sure there are plenty more "world-travelers" who have suggestions for overnight and international flights, but I have flown dozens of US flights with a variety of baby/toddler ages....

10. Write a list for each piece of luggage/carry-on.  Be organized!! Make sure you'll have enough space for everything you need and eliminate what you DON'T need.  Always put essentials for your children in the carry-on (what happens when you arrive and your luggage is lost along with their favorite sleeping toy?). Plus, when you have the written "memory" of your list it helps you remember where to access things along the journey.

9. Ditch the diaper bag/purse in favor of a backpack. I like hands (and shoulder)-free travel.  I need to be able to push a stroller comfortably and supervise my "walking" children.  My backpack also has several easily accessible pockets for items that I need frequently (boarding passes, wallet, cell phone, sanitizing wipes, etc.) I keep the large pocket for diapers, wipes, and a change of clothing; I keep the food in the next size pocket.  I usually pack a purse that can lay flat in my suitcase so when I arrive I can switch the essentials to a smaller bag.

8. Bring your car seats--if you are renting a car. Did you know it can cost up to $20 per day to rent each car seat? Within 2 days I could have BOUGHT 3 new car seats.... so with Southwest, it was free to check them.  I had a friend who bought craigslist car seats at Disney world rather than pay to have them checked.  So think before you book the flights too--how much are you going to have to pay for checked luggage and if car seat-checking is free.  OR you can bring them aboard (if they are FAA approved)--- kind of a hassle to bring them through the airport but they do make some expensive car seat to stroller option:

7. I like big strollers, I cannot lie.  This is the first trip I've taken with just the umbrella stroller; I honestly miss the car seat/stroller combo one.  I love the storage of big strollers (probably because I hate carrying things), the cup holders, and the tray.  Even if you just have a toddler, not an infant, he/she will not be able to tolerate the gate-to-luggage walk.  Besides, you can always lock an ornery toddler in place while you talk to ticketing agents or order food.  Ems gave me a tip of tying a strap to the stroller for the older child to hold onto while you navigate the airport; all of my children loved having an assigned place to be and felt safer knowing they were attached to me even if they couldn't hold my hand.

6.  Give yourself extra time.  Even if it means getting up at 3:30 AM (which it did for me this time), it's much less stressful for the whole family to get to the airport with time to spare. Everything does take longer with children, so prepare for luggage checking time, potty breaks, and security.  Also, if you have a spouse to help-- just walk the kids around the airport in shifts so that they stretch their legs. I actually had my kids doing jumping jacks in the corner in anticipation of the 2 hours of seat-captivity!

5. Wipes & sanitizer: you cannot have enough. I am a laid-back mom of three, except on a plane. Do you know how many germs exist on that tray table? It rarely gets washed; one study revealed that MRSA, TB, and the norovirus are often present on the latches for the overhead bins and the tray tables.... YUCK! You do not want to begin or end a vacation with vomit.  As soon as we board the plane and sit down we use hand sanitizing wipes to clean down everything, especially the trays, seatbelts, and arm rests.

4. Emergency medications. I am now the mom of an allergy kid, so I do not travel anywhere without chewable children's Benadryl. Honestly, I think most moms should carry it-- you never know when you will find out your kid has an allergy.  Plus, Tylenol can be a useful carry on item.  I also carry a small pack of band-aids for real or made-up Boo-Boos.

3. Toys/Activities. Really, really think about your kids. What really entertains them? My 3 year old likes the doodle pad so that's what she got in her backpack (I did mini-backpacks for each kid with their own snacks/toys). My eldest colors for hours, so obviously I packed a ziplock baggie of crayons and a coloring book for her. Each got their "lovey" toy to snuggle with and care for.  James, huh. Well, he doesn't play with much of anything besides balls-- so I packed a little hockey figurine for him to play with, and it worked. In my bag I had some stickers, extra paper, and books.  I avoided noisy toys for the sake of the other passengers.  I had my kindle but I did not have to use it!  Don't overdo the toys-- my kids love to look out the window and order juice from the flight attendant.  With a baby--bring any chew toys they like or something that you can repetitively open and close. You might go crazy, but they'll love it (think hard-cover glasses case or wallet).

2. Meals. I usually pack PBJ's or bagels for the airport for two reasons: cost and healthfulness. So many options in the airport are fast food (which I am not opposed too, but when you reach #1 on my list, you'll see why I want some nutrition in my kids) and the food is notoriously high-priced.  I once bought a small tuna salad sandwich with nothing on it for $9.50 in Chicago-- it didn't even come with a drink.  Feeding a family of five is much more cost-effective if I pack my own.  Plus, I packed empty sippy cups and the nice ladies at Dunkin Donuts filled them up with ice water for free! As for babies-- get those squeezy packets of food, bring your bottles or nursing cover :) and any other finger-foods they can eat!


1. SNACKS!!  Honestly, my kids don't get snack-spoiled (ie eat junky snacks daily) so on a plane, I let them have all the stuff they REALLY want.  I let the girls chew gum for take off and landing and I also let them have lollipops too.  I also pack goldfish, candy, fruit snacks, fruit roll-ups, apples, Teddy Grahams, etc.  They literally eat the entire flight.  I don't give them ANY of this fun food until we are ON THE PLANE!!! Do not waste your precious rewards in the airport. 


Besides the initial hassle of packing up, I prefer airplane travel to car travel any day.  Which is easier: hearing your baby in the back seat hungry waiting for the 3rd rest stop or holding your baby and nursing him/her peacefully?  I have been blessed with babies who do not freak out with flying, but even if your baby does scream on planes, you have some options:

Easy Rule #13014- With planning, any trip can be manageable and fun for the family. And if your kid cries the whole flight--you'll never have to see the other passengers again.

The Top Ten- Ohio Style

Jules here-

We survived the trip back from Ohio (only hours before the ice storm struck the route), and now after finally settling back in, I shall regale you with all of the wondrous things I have learned in my TOP TEN THINGS I LEARNED IN OHIO (or on the way there):

10. Car DVD players are quite useful.  I still like to have my children experience boredom in the car. I think it's a fantastic life skill, BUT, at the particularly brutal 10+ hour, the DVD player was incredible that last hour of the trip. Thank you my dear friend, Tanya, for lending me one!  Oh, and mini-vans rock.

9. City life has its perks. Though I had to get used to locking my car and parallel parking, walking to my sister's house and driving 2 minutes to the grocery store was quite a perk. Most things in New Hampshire take 15 minutes for me, so it was a welcome change!

8. My son is kind of a bully. So, Emily has the most darling 2 1/2 year old boy, Gabe. He is charming, friendly, and quite likeable- except to James. My 2 year old (who easily outweighs his cousin by 10 pounds) decided to repeat "Bad Boy" over and over again to the confused angel-child.  This development made me realize how easy it is to spoil your youngest child, and I had to be extra vigilant with his grumpy behavior and tone. This also reminded me that supervised play dates are best for this age so you can be there to correct behavior as it happens.

7. Boys are different. Yes, this seems obvious to most, but I have two girls as my eldest and I am NOT used to the rambunctiousness, athleticism, and carelessness of boys. Seeing six boys together really changes your perspective on what noise is.....

6. Aldi's Grocery store is AWESOME. Emily has mentioned Aldi's Grocery store before and I thought, "Yeah, it's just like my Market Basket (or Shop-Rite for you southerners)," but I was wrong.  Some items are soooo cheap (I seriously bought 6 bags of chocolate chips), and other prices are comparable to my discount-grocery store.  I do wish I lived closer to one.

5. Libraries are fantastic everywhere. I have traveled to about 5 different libraries in my state, and now I was able to see Emily's library in Ohio.  As a nation, we are just so blessed to have such a wonderful resource no matter where you live! Books, movies, CDs, story times.... for free!!

4. With ten kids, someone's not going to like dinner.  We took turns cooking for the crowd of 14 every night, and used many of the meal suggestions we have posted about before.  I made bacon-wrapped cheddar chicken one night, and the review of my 9 year-old nephew was, "What is this? I mean, chicken and cheese just don't go together."  Granted, he did eat it without complaint, and other kiddos asked for seconds. 

3. Boys like crafts too.  I love crafting, and the one reason I was thrilled to have a girl first was to take her to AC Moore's to pick out craft kits to do together.  I really thought boys might not want to sit still and enjoy crafts. Emily's boys LOVE crafts... however, Emily does not. So when I come to visit, it is expected that I bring at least ONE activity for them to enjoy!

 2. No one sleeps at sleepovers. My lovely niece joined us for a night to enjoy some cartoons, hot cocoa, and cuddly girl time with her cousins.  Though they were put in bed at 8 PM, they giggled, read, and jumped until well past 10 o'clock.  I was half-asleep listening to them on the monitor until they finally wore themselves out....

1. Cousin time is worth the trip.  Having our children 12 hours apart is hard, but with Skype, bi-annual visits, and emails, they CAN develop a close bond.  Seeing our kids enjoy each other makes the entire 24 hours in the car worth it!

Easy Rule #2999-  Cousins can be close no matter how far away they live if you put in the effort!

Easy Rule #110111- Even though other people's children might seem wonderful and perfect, try to remember that certain grumpy-traits are just age-related... so don't trade 'em in.... yet (though my nephew Gabe is my first-round draft pick...)

Packing for the Long Haul-- with kids

Jules here-- Get ready for the stars to align-- Ems & Jules will be together, in person, in a matter of days! Ems & I will be coming up with millions of more rules every moment we are together--just kidding, we'll play word games and watch cheesy Hallmark Christmas moves; we lead riveting lives.

However, to achieve my goal of couch cuddling with my sis, I must first endure an arduous 12 hour car trip with three children 5 and under.....  *sigh*  So, to kill two birds with one stone, here is my car-packing list and a blog post in one!

Food Items:
I keep one snack bag up front, and I pack my 5 year-old's mini back pack with her snacks. I make sure all of her items can be opened by her (there have been meltdowns in the past when she is staring at an impenetrable pack of fruit snacks for an hour...)  Common car snacks for us include:

• Goldfish
• Pretzels (rods are fun and last a bit longer too)
• Crackers--wheat thins, triscuits, etc.
• Fruit snacks
• Animal crackers
• Water in sippy cups -- side note.... I'm doing this pinterest link idea:

http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2010/09/sippy-cup-leash-re-visited-improved.html

I also will pack PBJ's, yogurts, and granola bars for a lunch break. We will be on the road through two meals, and I doubt my children can stomach fast food TWICE in one day without intestinal turmoil.

Activities:
I am blessed with three kids who can be entertained with singing, stories, and games pretty well... but 12 hours worth? Not so much.  I typically like to have an organized center in my car of activities to do on the ride.

• Books on CD (all my children enjoy these)--free from library
• Nursery rhymes/singalong songs--also free from library
• Stickers & Paper-- this works well with the younger two. Give them a bunch of stickers to put on a piece of paper. Sounds dumb, but it works.
• Notebook/pen for my writer in the back
• Picture books
• Doodle pad
• Leap-pad (small letter tracing one is the one I have)
• Car game list
• 20 questions
• The guessing game (all ages game that starts with "I'm thinking of...."  it could be an animal on the farm that starts with the letter P or a place where you can buy bananas.... you can easily adapt activity for different ages and take turns).
• Old MacDonald-- this seriously takes up 30 minutes of different animals, people, etc. All kids love it. It's monotonous and cringe-worthy for adults, but I do anything to entertain on trips...
• We do a couple of rhymes that we have learned throughout the years from story time too:
• Eeney-meeney miney mo, let me hear your hands go: Clap, Clap...Clap Clap Clap (a catchy rhythm of 1,2....345)
  Sounds go good, sounds so fine, let me hear you one more time: Clap, Clap..Clap Clap Clap--- now change the verse to "feet...stomp". "lips...kiss" etc.... be creative!!
• I had a little *red* balloon until I blew and blew (put hands up to mouth and blow)Then it got all big and round and grew, and grew, and grew! (make hands bigger and bigger)I tossed it up into the air, and never let it drop (Mime tossing a balloon up)Then I bounced it on the ground (bounce motion) until it suddenly when POP! (clap loudly) **We change the balloon color, and repeat...incessantly...

Car Organization
Packing the car efficiently is crucial to a well-run trip.  I divide the packed items into several categories:

• Stuff I need within hands-reach-- CDs, snacks, drinks, pacifier, "loveys"-- Goes in my door pockets or on the center console.
• Stuff I need at rest stops: diapers, wipes, change of clothes, and lunch foods-- usually put these items in bag behind my seat.
• Stuff my eldest needs in the rear-- within arms reach of her car seat
• Stuff I don't need until arrival- in the trunk

 Now, I have a final weapon in my arsenal of entertainment this year: a DVD player.  My fantastic friend has lent me this quiet-inducing device, and I am excited to use it as last-resort entertainment in the car. 

Lastly, I pack emergency dum-dum lollipops-- not too much sugar and they definitely quiet a raging toddler for a bit!!

Ems-- here I come!!


Easy Rule #58902 Use the Boy Scout motto for car trips: Be Prepared.

Easy Rule  #5241 Enjoy the journey more than the destination-- just kidding... SURVIVE the journey and then relax :)