Trekker 4Life: August 2016

Hi, sorry I've been gone for a bit. I've been busy (go figure) and I haven't had any ideas for the blog as of late. As you know, this is just my area where I give the odd update on the kids or talk about some random going ons in my life. I'm woefully behind on updating the blog seeing as its almost September and the last update was in April/May? I don't even know. So if you are a loyal follower thanks for sticking around or if your new here, Welcome!

I've had several ideas for blog posts floating in my head, how the kids are doing, the cute way Roman pronounces words wrong, he still calls water, wa-wee, sausage is saucy, hot dog is hogog (I could go on). The day he pronounces them right I'll probably cry. Or how he repeats me and when I tell him wait, he says wait and puts both hands up. How he loves to march to some songs. Or how Dominic gets on his little car and glides across the floor like a pro. Or whenever you tell him bye or he's leaving the room he'll wave to you and walk away. Cute little things that they do that I'll forget when they get older. Darn you bad memory. See how I got sidetracked there...What I wanted to talk about today was traveling with kids, specifically small children.

So when we travel we tend to go all out. Going to New York? Great! Lets do a road trip and stay in a different place every other night. Going to California to see family? Awesome sauce. Lets do 2 days in LA, 2 days with family and fly over to Reno and drive to Lake Tahoe for funsies. Yah, we do crazy things like that with an almost 3 year old and just turned 1 year old. So how do we do it you ask? Well, even if you didn't ask I'm going to tell you. Determination. Ha! No, but seriously it involves planning. If you have ever traveled with me you know I like to have my itinerary. I plan each day out, where we are staying, sites of interest, optional travel routes if necessary. But with kids its also important to be flexible. Sometimes you get to your location and both kids are sound asleep in car seats. Well, that's nap time then. Or if you have been driving around for a bit and you see an awesome park, pull over and let the kids play. The best moment from our recent trip to Malibu, stopping at Bluffs Park in Malibu. It wasn't scheduled, I just saw it while driving and since what we wanted to do was closed decided to take the boys there. They loved it. It had a great play ground and a really nice walking trail right on the coast overlooking the ocean. And Roman only tried to walk over the side one time so its all good.

So besides my itinerary, with small ones, its important to have lots of snacks on hand. Sometimes you can't stop for lunch or dinner is going to be late. Well you can't tell them to just wait, especially a 1 year old. I always have fruit pouches, crackers, lots of water, granola bar or nutri grain bars on hand to hold them over. Now while flying, I can't bring a ton of these on the plane and suitcase, so I like to stop at a grocery store at some point during the trip and pick up some extra. However, I don't like packing just a few diapers and having to buy some when we get to our destination. I always pack diapers and wipes for the whole trip. Some people like to buy those when they get where they are going but I don't like doing that.

Lastly, sleeping arrangements. Roman is easy since he just sleeps in our bed. Since Dominic is still little, we travel with his pack and play and he sleeps in there. It really helps out even though its a pain to bring along. Its a familiar place for him and it keeps a sense of consistency even though we are in a new place. So those are my little travel tidbits for traveling with kids. 1) Have a plan but be flexible 2) lots of snacks and water 3) keep some sense of familiarity for the small ones.

As always, here's some photos from our most recent trip to California (August 2016). Till next time!

This is how you get around the airport with two kids.

Roman looks so grown I almost cried.

Ready for takeoff!

Layover in Nashville. Dominic checking out the planes.

Dominic always making friends.

Made it to Hollywood and the famous TCL Chinese Theater.

Hanging out on the pier.

That Roman is such a ham.

Fun at the playground.

Unexpected car problems, means shiny new playthings for baby.

Much needed break at winery for parents and children.

Breakfast with the grandparents.

Roman seriously was in love with this icecream cone.

He also loved the ocean.

Walking a million miles to the observatory. Its in the far right hand corner of the photo.

Sometimes, kids get sick when you travel. Be prepared with thermometer, home pediatrician's phone number and children's tylenol (which I always forget to pack).

Love our pack n' play. Take a nap child!

Riding the gondola up the mountain

I was a nervous wreck in this picture, terrified Roman was going to throw himself out of Mike's arms over the side. But had to play it cool and pretend I was totally chill.