My dad is a lean, mean, packing machine, and I like to think I got those genes from him. I get a kick out of planning and packing efficiently, and love arriving at a location when everything I need and nothing more.
I also struggle with self doubt and the tendency to want be over-prepared.
Cylon and I have been doing our big trip to Tobago since about a year and a half after we got married. This summer we’ll have been married for 12 years. We have agreed that we can’t remember how many times we have made the trip, but are pretty sure this is #9.
I mentioned in my post about packing for travel with kids that I have lists detailing what each person in the family needs for the trip. I edit and hone them every time we come down.
The lists only work when I use them.
One of my favorite sewing projects is making a pair of shorts. They come together fairly quickly, use a relatively small amount of fabric, are super comfortable, and fit my summer uniform, which is typically shorts and a tank.
I use the free pattern from Melly Sews, which fits S-M. (You can purchase her pattern for the full range of sizes, or use her slash and spread tutorial to increase the size of the free pattern.) I find the shorts fit well, but are too short for my taste, with just a couple of inches to the inseam.
When my sister-in-law Cindy asked if I wanted to do a 5k this morning with a group from her gym, it sounded like a good idea.
I ran cross country and track through high school and college, and it became a huge part of my identity. I have kept running since then, but joint pain has slowed me down over the last couple of years. I miss running regularly. Even more, from my team running days, I miss running with a group.
I found out the run was at 5 a.m. Then, I learned we would need to leave The Compound at 4:45 a.m. to get there. I was awake all night, afraid my alarm wouldn’t go off. The three little boys all kept me company at one point or another, which didn’t help. Finally, after feeding the baby, it was 4:20 and I decided to just get up and get ready.
One of my favorite family rituals is bedtime reading.
At our house, it has many forms. Dad might read to the littles while Mom reads to the bigs. Sometimes there is a special book for just one or two kids that they get to stay up later for (read: Harry Potter). One parent might read to everyone, or the bigger kids may hang out in the living room and read quietly to themselves.
Confession: it doesn’t happen every night. But it is something we all enjoy.
When we’re traveling, just getting the kids to bed at a decent hour can be a challenge. Still, I like to bring a couple of books along. We typically make time for it every few nights during the trip. It can be a great way to gather together and settle down at the end of the day.
Here’s what we’re reading on this trip.
We left The Compound around 11 a.m. in two cars.
Despite many opportunities to join us, our oldest begged off. Roads here are narrow, winding, and frequently change elevation; even dramamine didn’t make a drive appealing to him.
We drove north to Castara, stopping along the way to see a little waterfall a short walk down a stairway, and just out of sight of the road.
