Packing- Again

Last year the W's embarked on multiple "marathon business trips." Something I came up with when I realized that we were literally running a marathon while traveling. Those trips each lasted between 2 and 8 weeks with many stops, hotel changes, client changes and everything that goes along with traveling.
It has been awhile since we had a true marathon business trip. Now here we are two days in and it is beautiful. This trip is shorter than most. It is only going to be 15 days. although this trip is shorter it is packed full of stops, changes and locations.

So the big question we hear all the time..."How do you do that with the kiddos and dogs?" Here is how I will answer it!

Let me start with this....Andy and I have been traveling for our entire relationship. When we first met we both were crazy with checklists, duplicates of things and carrying FAR too many things that we never used. As a challenge we both started trying to pack everything we would need in a backpack...that's it.

So traveling as a family of four.

It takes some practice, patience and alot of flexibility.


We fit everything we need into the following
Two suitcases
Two backpacks (one is the diaper bag, one is Andy's work bag)
That's all.....

This is how I do it....I literally break it down into these steps
1. Clothing

•  Pack 5 outfits for each person in the main suitcase. One extra outfit is then packed in a carry-on (just in case we lose our things.) Now we actually have seven changes of clothes (counting the clothes we are wearing) and we will do laundry at least one time while traveling. 
• All outfits are able to be layered and or mixed and matched.
• Each person is allowed two pairs of shoes IF there is going to be weather changes.

3. Toiletries

• There is one bag for everything. so we do use these little storage bottles. We have had them for about seven years and they are amazing! We carry 4 of them. Shampoo, Soap, Lotion, Baby soap...Since I make our baby soap and lotion we all use it! Win win!
• Obviously we have the normal things...Tooth brushes etc.

4. I created a travel first-aid kit that goes EVERYWHERE with us. It has the basic medications you would need and then a few extra things.

• Medications
• Childrens Tylneol and Motrin
• Adult versions of the above
• Vitamin C
• Tummy Medications
• Other kiddos stuff
• Other things
• Nail clippers and medication droppers
• Band-aids and first aid things
• Essential Oils
• There are a TON of uses for essential oils. So we carry six to ten at a time. 

5. Kiddo things- this list is VERY small.

• For their sleeping we carry binkies, a sound machine (an old cell phone) and 1 blanket for Oli
• G is happy to sleep in any bed as long as he has a cup of water next to him
• For kiddos there is really no need to bring a pack n play, highchair, or anything like that.
• The majority of hotels, air bnb's and other property rentals can accommodate pack n play's and highchairs
• Hotel's like Sheraton and the Westin actually have a program to borrow a small umbrella stroller as well.
• We don't travel with alot of toys or books. We let the boys each pick two toys that they can bring and one book. In truth we have found that going to second hand book shops or places like good will while traveling can always work out in a pinch.
• We bring 2 Camelback water bottles. One for each kid

6. Others; This list is VERY small. Most of the other things that you would think of naturally go with us anywhere, so they are already a part of the day to day...Our computers go in the backpacks. We already have things like sunscreen and kiddo snacks in the diaper bag. The rest falls into place rather easily.

I truly think that is all. 

A couple tips when packing....

• When traveling did you know that checking a car seat is free....Also they make amazing car seat bags that you can throw extra things in if need...Think warmer jackets if the weather is cold.
• When you pack such a small amount of items it makes life a lot easier.
• Call ahead to where you are going and see what is included in your room
• Bring your own water bottles! Then you always have something to drink everywhere you go.
  

I think tomorrow I will focus on tips once you are at the destinations....
Cheers friends. Off to explore