We Are Cleared For Take-off

As you can see, the futon is empty again. That means the van is loaded and ready to go. Or it would if Aaron hadn't had to run off and get a few of his own last minute supplies. So, instead it means all the stuff that WAS on the futon is now piled in the living room, since Blair needs to go to bed in the next five minutes. But, we are really almost ready to hit the trail.

Next stop, Springfield, Missouri, then Texas, then....and finally: I'll see you in 16 days!

Making My Kids Like Me Again

Okay, I'll admit it. The past few days of travel preparation have had me a little stressed out. I have been a bit grumpy and crabby. If you force me into full disclosure, there may have even been moments of downright nastiness. Yep, I biffed that one pretty badly.

So, yesterday, I decided that I would try to make my kids like me again by doing mostly fun stuff (before the last mad packing dash).

Yesterday was SUPPOSED to by "Project Day", but our projecting buddies had Chicken Pox germs, so we decided to stay apart. Our project was "Phone Number Bracelets", which I found here.

As I have said before, Brynnie likes bling, so she was thrilled. Ian wasn't as excited, but accepted the idea as we talked about what to do if "Mommy and Daddy got lost."

After rest time, I had one more fool-proof way to make my kids love me again.

PAINTING!

I think it worked.

(I found this fun idea here - although I don't think they tried it out with a four-year-old.)

Final Countdown

With our vacation now only a few days away, it's a bit of a mad house around here. Along with packing, I've been trying to wrap up some pesky lingering projects and do some house cleaning, because I hate coming home to a messy house.

Two of the things that I really wanted to get done were sewing projects: a grey skirt and a short-sleeved top. I was going to bring the top on vacation, which is why I started it, but then decided that it would get dirty too easily and wasn't a good choice. But, I couldn't stand seeing the pieces and sewing equipment piled around, so I finished it.

Here's the skirt:

It had 8 darts. I hate darts. They are easy, but I still hate them.

The shirt had tucks. They are also annoying, because they take a lot of time, but don't really keep you moving toward finishing the project. Sadly, I forgot to take a "finished" picture and threw the top in the laundry This was the project that I really enjoyed being able to finish before we leave:

Digging all my spring flowers out from under their leaf blankets. The only downside is that I think they will be done blooming before I get back. Oh well. If anyone wants some daffodils for their table, feel free to come and cut mine!

Vacation Packing Update

Today I started to get serious about packing.

Here is an updated picture of my staging area.

I also had to break out my sewing machine again. On these long road trips we let our kids watch more TV then usual (Why didn't they have portable DVD players when I was a kid?)

Our old player died, so here is the new one:

While shopping for this thing, we saw a nifty bag that you could use to hang the DVD player, so it was easier to see. It cost $30. The Dutch blood in me revolted, and I announced that I could make that. Aaron took me at my word, so I had to put my money were my mouth was.

I sewed a pocket for the DVD player, and then added a loop across the back to string a piece of rope through. I'm not sure what we are going to attach the rope to, but Aaron says he has that all worked out. It doesn't hang quite straight up and down (Aaron started talking about counter-weights.....), but I don't think the kids will complain as long as Bob the Builder is playing!

Vacation Countdowns

Ian has been asking over and over again, "Mommy, when are we going on vacation?" Counting days and saying "3 weeks" isn't very helpful when your 4-year-old brain hasn't quite mastered passing time. So, a few days ago, we made a chart. Now, every morning, even before eating his yogurt, Ian crosses another square off the chart.

I've also been working on a surprise countdown of my own. There are going to be a lot of long driving days on this trip: four out to California and then another four on the way back. I thought that it would be fun for the kids (and hopefully distracting) to receive a little present at some time during each of those long days. So, I went to the dollar store and picked up some plastic figurines.

Animals for Brynn (no one makes plastic princesses).

Army men for Ian. Then I wrapped them up inside toilet paper tubes. I think the color code is pretty easy to figure out.

I didn't forget Blair either. She'll be getting to sample a rare treat: new flavors of Gerber's Baby food - straight from the jar!