Packing for 3 1/2

Long time, no post! Whew! Having a toddler, a job and other responsibilities seem to take up my extra "blogging" time. For now, I'm back. Not only am I back for blogging, but I'm back with a little green olive sized sidekick! Yep.....for those who don't know yet....the Swanger family is growing. (More like mommy's poor tummy) But that's another blog for another day! 

What's on the agenda for today?

 V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N

Oh yes, the salty smell of the ocean, the rough sand between your toes, the seafood......yes! BUT In order to get to those things, I have to get my crazy, busy, nutso family in to gear! 

Wouldn't you figure that VBS would be the week before vacation, the vacation forecast would include rain, along with the husband jinxing the travel vehicle and now, 24 hours before we leave, said vehicle is in the shop! Needless to say, this momma is stressed! Nevertheless, we WILL go on vacation. :) So on to packing for a family of 3 1/2. 

I've heard from other packing/traveling mommies some tips of the trade. I've also heard some tips to keep my active, attitude prone toddler busy! Because our vehicle situation has changed, I've decided to make a list of packing must do's for our little family in order to save space. Maybe they'll help someone else and maybe some of you already do these! 

FIRST- Write it down.  Call it pregnancy brain if you want, but if it isn't listed, it isn't packed. And heaven forbid we get to Florida without that favorite shirt! 

SECOND- Lay it out. I try to put it all on the bed and make sure all of my days are accounted for. 

THIRD- Roll it.  Saves on space and saves on wrinkles if you'll roll it up and place it in your bag that way. 

FOURTH- Save space. By that I mean, if you can split the little wampus' stuff up and put it in yours and the hubs bag, do it! Fewer bags to carry later and your hubs may be thanking you. 

OTHERS- some other tips that I've figured out after a few trips......if there will be a washing machine, use it! It may not be appealing to do laundry while on vacation, but your back will thank you for it later when you have a million things to carry up 20 flights :) make a list of things to do before you leave. (Bills to pay, laundry to finish, trash to take out) It will calm the "did we forget something?" thoughts. Next, Do you REALLY need the stroller, pack n play, huge toy, play may, etc?? In our case? NO! Saving space right there. 

Another thing we are doing a LITTLE differently this year, and that's a budget.......well let me explain. Ever gotten home from vacation and said "wow, we spent more than I thought we would. " Yes you have. Don't try to pretend. Unless you have a money tree, you've noticed. Not a bad thing. We could care less what we spend on vacation and won't hold back on anything. This year, all of Mommy's extra cash from the semester is going toward vacation. So, I've made out a little list (yes another one). Nothing strict but just a list of what things we'll need or want to do and how much those will be. That way, I'll have an idea of the cost before we go. 

This will be Carter's first time at the beach as a mobile munchkin. I'm excited to see what he thinks and nervous that he'll be completely unlike his momma and daddy and hate it. A few tips that I've heard work, are a baby pool under the umbrella, sandcastle toys and balls, plenty of snacks, sunscreen, and baby powder (to wipe off all of that sand).

So I'm off to my crazy 24 hours before leaving but would love any toddler/beach tips not listed from other experienced mommies! Wish us luck!