My Packing List for a Family of 7

With 5 kids, packing for vacation requires a checklist otherwise someone forgets a swimsuit and someone else forgets their phone charger and did I mention that someone (okay it was me) once forgot to pack diapers?  

For the first time, our entire family is flying (and not on Southwest) so the packing list has become even trickier--we have to fit everything into carry-on luggage.  That is going to be quite a sight at the airport--2 adults, 5 kids, a double stroller, 2 car seats, 5 carry-on suitcases, 4 backpacks, 1 diaper bag, 1 laptop/camera bag, and a playpen (really hoping not to have to bring the playpen).  

Usually my motto is less is more when packing.  But less still has to cover all the bases (like remembering the diapers).  So for our 11 day trip, we are each taking 5 outfits (plus the 1 each of us is wearing expect for the baby who gets a full 11 outfits but that is a different post).  Each person also gets a pair of pjs (2 pairs for kids under 5), a swimsuit, a jacket, a hat, and a pair of sneakers (we will be wearing sandals). Don't forget socks and underwear (including diapers, wipes, and pull-ups).  

Next is toiletries. This is where less is more is important.  Because of the sheer volume of shampoo and sunblock our family will use, I will simply buy those items upon arrival as well as razors and a few other sundries like beach towels and beach toys.  So the short list includes 4 combs, 2 brushes, 2 small make-up kits (1 lipstick, 1 compact eyeshadow, foundation, blush, and mascara), deodorants, electric razor, 7 toothbrushes, 2 toothpastes, floss, chapstick, perfume, 5 pairs of sunglasses, and 1 stress relief lotion.

The Other Necessities.  I always bring a small first aid kit including nail clippers, band-aids, Neosporin, and Advil.  A few dollar-store-ponchos, hand sanitizer, 4 cameras with extra batteries or plugs, my fitbit, laptop, nintendo ds, 4 ds games (including a "new" one purchased from a second hand store), 2 iPod touches (with 3 new downloaded apps), 2 iPhones (with chargers), an iPad (with 10 movies including a new movie), 5 reading books, 5 stuffed animals, money (including several quarters and single dollar bills for vending machines), 2 backseat books, 1 coloring book, crayons, pencils, 1 color wonder book with markers, a few small toys including matchbox cars, as many snacks as the kid's backpacks will allow, bibs, kleenex, 3 pacifiers, a baby sling, 2 sippee cups, a couple of necklaces, pairs of earrings, ponytail holders, 1 autograph book, and don't forget the Disney trading pins.  Thanks to technology, I store all my reservations on my phone as well as a money tracker for expenses (each child gets a souvenir allowance) so I don't have to pack a small notebook like my parents did.  

The other question I get asked is how long does it take to pack.  That is harder to answer.  Packing begins a few weeks in advance by making the list and gathering the right suitcases (in this case I am borrowing a few carry-ons).  It also includes arranging for a ride to airport.  The day before the trip, I will do all the laundry (that way everyone's favorite shirt is clean).  Consequently, everyone wears their worst clothes that day including stained and mismatched outfits.  With clean clothes, we then pack systematically starting with shirts, pants, etc working our way down the list. I call out an item and all the kids bring it me. They love this part, especially picking out their favorites clothes and proudly telling me which day they plan on wearing it.  So, how did I miss diapers?  I only wrote underwear on my list and in the mayhem of each child bringing me clothes I simply forgot to grab the baby's "underwear."  This process usually only takes an hour.  Electronics get charged and then packed.  Lastly, we grab toothbrushes minutes before walking out the door.  

Think this is nuts--you should see what we pack for car trips where space isn't quite so limited.  

5 Apps Your Kids will Love on Vacation

Virtual Diaper Bag

A decade ago, I would buy a few, cheap toys for vacation and throw them in my bag.  Something new to entertain little ones on a long road trip, plane ride, or in a motel room (we didn't even have dvd players in cars then).  Now, for the same price (or even less), I can buy a few new apps and keep everyone happy.  Though some apps require internet access (save those for the motel), most do not.  My smart phone is slowly replacing most of my diaper bag.  Here are my children's top 5 list.

#1--Age 3-10:  Where's My Water

       In the Disney game Where's My Water, you dig tunnels to connect a water source so the alligator can shower (a "good guy alligator" as my son calls it).  This is a maze type game with obstacles in creating the tunnels including bombs, switches, plants, etc.  Easier levels are perfect for younger children and the more advanced levels are challenging for older kids.  Let your children explore on the free version and then upgrade for $1.00 when they love it.  This game is really a physics lesson in disguise for budding engineers.

#2--Age 6-12: Tap Zoo 2 
 In this imaginative game you begin by building your own zoo (what kid doesn't want to do that?).  Then, you trade and cross breed animals collecting coins and experiences.  Add bathrooms, sell an animal to pay for another one, and grow your zoo.  This game teaches following directions, interacting with the zoo map, and a basic understanding of earning and spending "money."

#3--Age 0-2 1/2:  Sort Sliders 

     This cute baby app shows an object in the middle of the screen and then has you tilt the object left or right to match between the two choices.  If you are correct, a dog appears and gives a friendly bark.  If you are wrong, nothing happens until you tilt to the correct answer (at which point the dog appears).  Young children go crazy for the dog.  With only 2 choices and simple objects, this app is perfect for the littlest ones. It also teaches hand eye coordination, shapes, and matching.  Emerging talkers will enjoy naming the objects and colors.

#4--Age 8-Adult:  The Moron Test 
      The name kind of says it all.  Tweens love challenging adults hoping to watch them fail.  The puzzles appear simple enough, but are actually deceptively difficult.  Pass them all and become a genius; fail, and well, you might be a moron.  Can you pass the moron test?

#5--Ages 6-Adult: Cut the Rope
      As the name implies, the simple levels require a perfectly timed cut of the rope but as the puzzle levels progress it becomes increasingly more difficult to get the candy into the mouth of the Om Nom monster.  Though this game becomes somewhat repetitive, many players find it happily addictive.  This game provides a happy alternative to Angry Birds.

Endless Choices

With thousands of apps, there is something for everyone (including an an e-book for mom).  So next time you are headed off, skip the dollar store and surf the app store instead.  A few new apps will be well worth the money.

Huntington Beach--My 3-year-old's Alternative to Disneyland

I love going to the beach--playing in the sand, feeling the waves on my feet, looking into the horizon. During our December trip when the sand was cold (the high temperature was around 58) and the water was very chilly, we had a blast.

Huntington Beach is a hidden gem.  Despite being off-season, the local surf shop was open with cheap wetsuits for rent and a large bag of sand toys to borrow.  Many shops are friendly and accommodating. This quieter beach has reasonably priced parking and a few shops to browse without being an overcrowded tourist trap.  Known for wind and surfing, Huntington Beach hosts many surf competitions and usually is a great place for kites.  Additionally, the large pier, filled with local fisherman, is fun to stroll along ending with Ruby's diner (be sure to grab a snack while taking in the view).

For our younger children, this was the first time they had seen the ocean and were delighted as the waves rolled in and out.  Our older children were not deterred by the cooler temperatures and dived right in (renting wetsuits helped).  Everyone loved hunting for seashells, burying each other in the sand, and watching the crabs.  My three-year-old enjoyed driving his monster truck through the sand.  My nine-year-old built a sand castle.  The seven-year-old chased crabs into temporary traps.  My eleven-year-old never left the ocean.  The baby explored the texture of the sand (and even tasted it).  I was enamored by the sound of the ocean and practically hypnotized by the waves.

After playing for a few hours, we packed up and walked along the pier to Ruby's www.rubys.com.  This diner offers unique burgers (my husband's favorite is the cobb burger), milkshakes, fries (regular or sweet potato), and other diner staples. Our kids enjoy sitting upstairs, ordering off the relatively large kid's menu, and being occupied by the cardboard menus which turn into cars and surfboards with decorative stickers.  Meanwhile, the views of the ocean are unparalleled and the price is reasonable (though you may want to consider splitting a meal, especially at lunch, or just ordering fries and a milkshake).  This is one of those places our kids still talk about it.

When vacation was over, our three-year-old named Huntington Beach as his favorite part of vacation (not Disneyland or the motel swimming pool).  Many guide books will tell you the same.  That is why, even off-season in cooler weather, I still recommend spending a day at the beach.  I also think children (and adults) need a break from the amusement parks and have a slower day to explore and play.  Ideally, families will plan a beach day mid-vacation to allow everyone to reenergize.  My only caution, be sure to use plenty of sunscreen so that the rest of your vacation will not be spoiled by sunburn!

John Adams Tour--A Boston Must See

One of the hidden treasures of the Boston area is the John Adams Tour known officially as the Adams National Historical Park.  Just as the Kennedys (there is also a museum for that) dominated the American scene for the twentieth century, the Adams family was a powerhouse from the Colonial era through the Civil War.  Presidents, Ambassadors, Congressmen, Constitutional Framers, the lawyers behind the Boston Massacre and Amistad, this family did it all.

The tour begins at the visitor's center in Quincy.  Validation for parking is offered and the tour is $5 per person over age 16.  Tickets for the tour are first come, first serve (large groups are allowed to make reservations), so usually there is an hour or two wait giving guests time to explore the visitor's center and browse the store.  Having a history degree, I had read David McCullough's book John Adams as well as seen the HBO mini-series.  I thought I knew plenty and was simply there to see the sites in person.  I did not realize how little I knew about this family.  My knowledge of John Quincy in particular was incomplete. He began working for the federal government at the age of 14 and practically died on the steps of the Capitol.  He was the brilliant lawyer that successfully argued the Amistad case before the Supreme Court, all or whom were slave owners.  His tenure in the US Congress after being a President ended at the time of Lincoln's Congressional election.  His son, Charles, was ambassador during the Civil War, successfully arguing that England not support the Confederacy.  His wife was the charming lady that opened doors in Europe and America. And then there was the store. . .

After wandering through the visitor's center, guests ride a shuttle bus to three different homes owned by the Adams family as well as the Stone Library (built as a fire proof sanctuary for the vast collection and original documents that literally founded this nation).  The first stop is the original farmhouse and birthplace of John Adams.  This "country" lawyer, who was considered too poor to be a proper suitor for Abigail, was born in a respectable sized farmhouse with a handful of artifacts reminding visitors how primitive 1735 really was.   As an adult, John lived in the farmhouse next door where his law desk (still standing in the front room) was the place he stood (not sat) and penned some of the most important documents in history.  Seeing the farm that Abigail had to manage as soldiers wandered down the road directly next to the house is poignant.

The bus than whisks visitors to Peacefield--the manor house of the Adams post-Revolution.  The house is filled with original furnishings belonging to the Adams family--lamps, chairs, linens, paintings, vases.  Each room is a powerful museum where tour guides tell stories about key artifacts and the four generations of Adams that lived there.  After a tour of the house and gardens, the Stone Library contains one of the oldest American collections including the famous Treaty of Paris painting. 

At the end of this two hour tour, the bus returns visitors to the center.  The experience is incredible in teaching about the lives of two of our presidents and the legacy of their family.  It also demonstrates life in the 1700s and 1800s and the hardships endured by families.  The reality that John Adams' legal services was not sufficient income and was supplemented by the farm.  As a mother of 5, the colonial kitchen, bathroom, and laundry seemed particularly primitive especially when paired with a New England winter.

The tour does not include the final resting place of John, Abigail, John Quincy, and Louisa.  Their burial is at a neighboring church with separate operating times and fees.

Though I love bringing children to historic places and museums, this tour is more suited for school aged children.  The length of the tour and the inability to touch any artifacts within each house make this tour difficult for preschoolers and almost impossible for toddlers.

Be sure to add this powerful tour to your next trip in Boston.

The Stone Library

Legoland's Top 10 Attractions

Legos are a big part of my family--they appear on Christmas wish lists, completed kits decorate the mantle, the kitchen table is covered in them every Saturday morning.  I have often joked that we could build our own mini-land in the backyard and charge admission.

So when our family was planning a trip to California, a stop at Legoland was high on the must-do list.  At a fraction of the cost of Disneyland (discounts are always available and occasionally are as good as 5 days for the price of 1), our family had an amazing time.  And like all good amusement parks, our favorites include both rides and other types of attractions.  Here is our top 10:

#1--Dragon Coaster--this ride has a few opening scenes made entirely out of legos.  You will want to ride it twice to catch all of the incredible detail.  After that, hang on as the coaster shoots out of the castle and twists along a track.  This intermediate size coaster only requires you to be 40" to ride.

#2--Knight's Tournament (Claw ride)--this one-of-a-kind ride allows you to set your own intensity.  I rode it with my son on the second lowest setting and thought it was powerful and still fun.  My oldest tried to wildest setting and it was her favorite ride (you can't pay me to go on that setting).  Loading is incredibly slow, but younger ones can build in the nearby duplo gazebo.

#3--Hideaways Playground--my children love playgrounds and enjoy exploring at their own pace.  With lots of hidden lego displays, winding tunnels, and slides, this playground is a perfect break in the day.  Staffers also can turn park maps into crowns delighting younger guests.  This playground is much larger than the duplo version so it is more enjoyable to school aged children.


#4--Miniland and Coast Cruise--the best way to begin miniland is with the family boat cruise where the pilot provides information about these creations as you travel incredibly close (the dinosaurs are built from hundreds of thousands of lego bricks).  And don't forget the sense of humor as little lego men clean the ears on Mt. Rushmore.  After the ride, slowly walk through miniland (it takes at least an hour).  The cars move through the city streets, jokes abound on the buildings (we saw plenty of Santas crashed in unusual places), and Star Wars had incredible detail (be sure to peek in the trees for hidden Ewoks).

#5--Mindstorms--first stop of the day should be to sign your older kids up for a Mindstorms class.  Here they will put their programming skills to the test as they program their robot to do a series of tasks.  Teachers carefully instruct but allow plenty of exploration.  The class is free but be careful, at $300, the temptation to buy a kit at the end could make this an expensive experience (the kit is cheaper at amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001USHRYI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=stnal-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001USHRYI

#6--Duplo play stations-throughout the park and in some ride lines, there are duplo play areas with plenty of bricks to keep young hands building.  Combined with the traditional building area, a lot of the fun is in building with practically unlimited pieces.  My motto about Legoland is it is more about experiences and less about rides.

#7--Kid Powered Sky Cruiser--this unique ride is powered by you--put those feet on the pedals (or hands on the crank as there are a few versions of this ride).  Like old fashioned paddle boats, kids light up as they make it go.

#8--Volvo Driving School--these cars are not on tracks which is why kids go wild to drive, making turns, stopping at lights, and avoiding running into each other.  They are really just power wheels in a mini city, but my kids talked about it for weeks.

#9--Adventurer's Club--this easy-to-miss exhibit takes you on an indoor walk where you have to find the hidden key in each scene.  Lego kids love puzzles and find this activity irresistible as they search each scene trying to collect all 7 keys.  A nice indoor break.

#10--Lost Kingdom Adventure--Mixing video games with rides, your goal is to shoot as many targets as possible.  Of course, everyone is vying for top score.

Please note, we went on a very COLD day and did not participate in any activities that would get us wet. I would assume that some of our favorite activities would have been in the Pirate Shores area if we had vacationed in the heat.  Also, this list is for Legoland only and does not include attractions from the water park or aquarium.

If you have lego builders in your family, this affordable destination has plenty to offer.  What will you build today?

4 Favorite Products when Traveling with Baby

How can a baby this small need so much stuff?

Over the last decade, the number and quality of baby products has exploded--Moby wraps, Bumbos, Baby Einstein.  Because I like to pack as light as possible, including my diaper bag, I keep my must-have list to a minimum. Obviously baby will need extra clothes, diapers, perhaps baby spoons, bibs, and a blanket. Beyond those common diaper bag items, here are my 4 favorite products when traveling with a baby.

#1--Umbrella Stroller.  A stroller is always necessary, but why do I like the $20 version the best?  It takes up practically no room in the car, shuttle, or subway.  It is so lightweight you can pick it up with baby inside and carry it up a flight of stairs (you would be surprised how often that happens).  Many come with a basket and sunshade (which can also be purchased separately).  They are cheap enough that a rainstorm or a muddy camping trip are not a big deal (not to mention that you do not have to worry about someone taking it).  They are also surprisingly strong--we have frequently had a preschooler hold a toddler on his lap during day trips to the zoo or amusement park.   Of course, for certain trips or with two very young children, a double stroller may be necessary.

#2--Baby Sling.  I prefer a sling to any other carrier for babies between 5-12 months.  The sling is essentially a double folded durable piece of fabric that securely holds a baby in an upright position on your hip.  I have worn one for hours and was less sore than with any other carrier (I have to use one longer than 3 hours before I even begin to feel sore).  I own two from sevenslings.com.  They are inexpensive if you use a sales code such as valpack.  They also fold flat so you can slip it into your diaper bag (unlike most other carriers which are too bulky).  For younger babies I prefer Baby Bjorn.  Baby carriers allow you to be hands free and take a baby where strollers cannot go (such as hiking, the beach, restaurants, or crowded locations).  They also are great for babies that tire of the stroller or has an older sibling that is monopolizing the stroller.

#3--Snack Trap.  This is a miracle idea that keeps baby entertained for hours (6+ months).  This prevents cereal pieces from being broken into crumbs, prevents spilling, and provides your baby with a puzzle box.  Toddlers love trying to fit toys into the cup and exploring how the lid works.    

#4--Pacifier (and be sure to pack a few extras).  I will never forget watching my baby's pacifier slip through the mesh on a sky ride.  I had an extra one back at the motel, but none in my diaper bag.  Never made that mistake again.  I also keep an extra in case one needs to be washed.  Even if your baby does not usually take a pacifier, you may want to consider one for plane rides (it helps with ear pressure) or as a teether.  And the styles now available are almost endless--cute sayings, buck teeth, animal prints, sport themes, you name it.

What is your must-have baby item?

5 Things You MUST Know before you go to DisneyWorld

With many of my friends planning trips to the happiest place on earth during spring break or later this summer, I wanted to share 5 things you MUST know before you go.

1--Fastpass--This is a system that is tricky to understand but saves an amazing amount of time once you get the hang of it.  Popular rides have a ticket kiosk that will give you a fastpass ticket available later that day with a time frame to use the ticket.  Do not be fooled.  The ticket is valid for the rest of the day beginning at the time stated on the ticket.  Example:  Splash Mountain fastpass time 12:05-1:05 means that you can get a fastpass ticket for a different attraction at 12:05 and you can use the Splash Mountain ticket any time that day starting at 12:05.  The best way to utilities fastpass is to have one person take all the tickets to the kiosk to redeem passes and continue to do so throughout the day as your times become available.  During my last trip to Disneyland, I collected passes while waiting for other activities (like before the parade started and then another one after it ended, while my older kids and husband were on a roller coaster and I was with the baby in stroller parking, and during lunch).  The result--at 5:00 p.m. I had fastpasses to Star Tours, Space Mountain, Autotopia, and Indiana Jones.  I also got fastpasses for everyone in my family, even the children too short to ride, so I actually had enough fastpasses for two sets of Star Tours.  Be sure to collect them as early as possible and collect a new ride as soon as you are allowed.  Just have one member of your party (the one with the most energy that is old enough to handle the job) get the passes while the rest of your party continues doing what you were doing.  My family did not even realize I had collected them during our day.  As this advice became more popular, Disney began enforcing the ending time frame starting in March 2012.  It is still a good strategy to have one member of the party collect fastpass tickets for everyone but timing is now far more complicated.

2--Time--If you are going during a busy time then take advantage of the early morning and late nights.  Off season travelers will have fewer crowds but also shorter hours that the parks are open (sometimes as short as 10-6).  Peak travelers may see parks open from 8-midnight or even earlier on the busiest days. During peak times, be sure to be at the park when it opens (preferably 10 minutes earlier).  Then leave after lunch and come back in the evening for fireworks, Fantasmic, and shorter lines.  By spending 4-5 hours in the morning (say 8-1) and then another 4-5 in the evening (say 7-midnight) you will still get 10 hours of Disney magic without the burnout.  Besides, ever see the sunrise over the castle?


3--Pins (and other souvenirs)  We haven't done the pin trading, yet.  But we are going to try this year.  The answer--Ebay.  You can get pins for less than $1on Ebay.  Afraid of mystery pins?  Don't be.  Your children (or your) are just going to trade them anyway--that is the whole point of it.  Disney employees are trained to trade with children any pin so take the money out of it and let your kids have some fun.  Some souvenirs are best bought outside the park including your first set of pins, costumes, and stuffed animals. But other items are better bought at the park--like the iconic ears.  Try to find the bargains rather the money holes.  Balloons are absurdly overpriced but a mouse lightsaber (which also lights up with 2 C batteries--hint, hint) is priced the same as Walmart.  For $30 you can buy ears or a shirt, a princess or star wars toy, an autograph book or kids plate or earrings (or something pre-bought like pins or a stuffed animal), and a treat from the candy shop.  We bought our three-year-old a set of Toy Story matchbox cars.  Priced at least 3x a normal set, I consider it money well spent.  It was his only souvenir and he plays with those cars practically every day and they make me smile when I see them.  


4--Character Dining  Stop reading and make a reservation now.  It is an amazing experience for kids--a major highlight.  The majority are buffets which means if strategically planned, they can be less expensive than they seem at first glance.  They take 2-3 hours, so plan accordingly. I prefer dining in the resorts on a day I am not in a major park such as a day spent at the water park or beach so I am not choosing between character time and ride time.  Also, the dining allows you skip many of the character meet and greets within the parks that can have very long lines. So you are really getting a lot of bang for your buck.  The exception to this is some of the princess dining is only available within the parks especially eating in Cinderella's castle which is magical in and of itself. Dining there at breakfast allows you early admittance to the Magic Kingdom (if you eat and greet fast enough) so it still does not significantly cut into your park touring time.  If you have little girls, think of it as the same price as Disney on Ice and go make that reservation.

5--Think twice before you buy Hopper tickets--Hopper tickets are more confusing than fastpass.  So let me try to explain the costs and benefits.  If you are staying at a DisneyWorld resort, you will want to take advantage of the extra magic hours.  Consequently, you may want hoppers, especially if you are going when parks will be open until 1 a.m. on those magic hours.  Otherwise the cost may not be worth it.  For a trip I am planning, the Animal Park closes at 7, so I wanted to hopper to Epcot or Universal, both of which close at 9.  The cost of upgrading to a hopper is roughly $50 a person.  Between travel time and dinner, $50 a person for at the most 2 hours doesn't make sense to me (others would argue you spend $50 a person for a 2 hour Disney Broadway Play or for Disney on Ice tickets).  For $10 a person, we can get an extra day at Epcot of Hollywood (plus motel and food), but for the size of my family, that is the better deal.  Another option is the water park option (same price as the hopper) but allows you to hopper from water park to main park or go to a water park on a bonus day (for example a 4 day ticket with water park option means you can go to each major park--Magic Kingdom, Hollywood, Epcot, and Animal, one day each and spend a fifth day at Typhoon Lagoon, and a sixth day at Blizzard Beach, and a seventh day at Typhoon Lagoon with a character dinner since the watermark closes at 5, and an eighth day golfing or at DisneyQuest while mom shops Downtown Disney).  A 4 day hopper gives you 4 days at the 4 main parks spending time going back and forth with no bonus days at the water park. But if you only have 4 days to spend, are not a water park fan, and are eligible for magic hours, you might find the hopper money well spent.  So, it all depends on your time frame and preference.

Have a Disney MUST know tip?  Please let me know.