travel tips for tots.

this comes too late for jenniken, but i'm confident she got along fine without my advice. ((16 hours in a car with two toddlers isn't a big deal, right?))  plus, she has the soul of a trucker, so ALL THE EASIER.

happy travelers

a good car trip with a little one takes a lot of planning and some real luck. here are a few things we've learned:

• Lower Your Expectations:  families with small children do not go on vacation. they go on trips. only a really lame vacation would require diaper changes and waking up before 9am.  if you don't expect a relaxing time away, you're less likely to be frustrated. plus, you might be pleasantly surprised.
• Travel Off Peak:  consider leaving super early in the morning or at their bedtime.  not only do you increase your chances of carseat sleep, but you're less likely to run into traffic or construction delays.
• Toy Exchanges Save Lives:  we reaped the amazing benefits of this over Thanksgiving. we have some rad neighbors with a son approximately Sadie's age.  we did a toy exchange and being able to pull out "new" toys for a bored baby was AMAZING.  keep the toys small and expendable.  nothing valuable or sentimental. and be prepared to thank your exchange partner a million times when the toys come through in a pinch.
• Minimize the Sun:  put the carseat on the side of the car that will get the least amount of sun.  you'd get cranky too if the sun was constantly in your eyes.  so unless you're a Winnie the Pooh windowshade sort of family ((note: we are not)), plan ahead and everyone will be happier. 
• SNACKS GALORE!
• PRAY:  for safety, for patience, for good naps, for fast lines, for grace and peace and everything always.

and whatever you do....
do not forget the blankie/Jimmy/binkie/etc.

woe to the parent that does.

happy traveling!