What I Learned From Our Trip

We traveled to northern California to visit David's family for Christmas this year.  It was just about a ten-hour drive each way with four kids, one pregnant lady, and David.  This is what I learned on the trip:

1. There are three essentials a mama should never leave at home: a nasal aspirator, an ear thermometer, and children's pain reliever.
2. I have the BEST in-laws in the world!  They made so many accommodations to make our stay at their house comfortable and enjoyable.
3. The GPS is an excellent tool for avoiding LA traffic.  I think next time we will leave later to avoid it altogether!
4. One surefire way to get your kids up by 5 am is to plan to transfer them from bed to their carseats at 5:30 am hoping that they will sleep for the first leg.
5. One of those tools that people use to pick up trash would be really handy for passing snacks and drinks from the front to the very back of the van (or maybe even for poking the ornery child).
6. Driving in a hailstorm is scary and really doesn't help nap-resistant toddlers to fall asleep.
7. A long car trip is a rare opportunity for meaningful conversation and pleasure reading.
8. To gauge how many snacks to bring, figure out how much you think you need and then bring TWICE that amount!
9. All the kids really like traveling in the car (I know, where DID they come from?!)
10. My children need careful supervision around Christmas cookies.   Their tummies seem to say, "Yes, please," but not, "No, thank you!"