Packing for Summer Vacation

I've been busy day dreaming about our upcoming summer vacation. But the thought of packing for our trip gives me a headache. Here are some things I'll do to keep myself in check.

Start early and use lists. I make two lists, one for my daughter and one for us. On the first big trip with our daughter, the amount of stuff we brought was ridiculous. There is no need to recreate your home at your destination, just bring enough to make everyone comfortable and safe. When making your lists, think about the number of days, kinds of activities, and if you’ll be able to do laundry.

When packing clothing, don’t bring anything you “might wear.” Only bring things you know will be worn. This goes for baby gear and toys too. Bring clothes that coordinate. For kids, plan on two outfits a day. Don’t forget toiletries and medications.

Nothing will ruin a vacation more quickly than a little one getting hurt, so plan to pack childproofing supplies or find out if your destination has supplies. If not, bring rubber bands (to lock cabinets), outlet covers and masking tape (to tape wash clothes to edges of furniture).
Last, be sure to have a safe place to keep important travel documents. Keep a copy of your reservations and itineraries. Bring your pediatrician’s information in case of emergency.

Sippy cups are for....vinaigrettes?

I love hearing of ways people reuse items. Over the last couple of days I heard of two ways to reuse common baby/kid products that I just had to share.

1) Sippy cups. I read somewhere that a Mom reuses her children's old sippy cups to make vinaigrette salad dressing. It totally makes sense, with the lid you can shake it (be sure to put a finger over the spout). And the small spouts keeps the dressing from spilling out too much. Helping to not overdress the salad and make it a little more healthful.

2) Formula Dispensers. Today during a playdate, a Mom friend of mine pulled out an old forumla dispenser when her 1 year old wanted a snack. No more formula in there- she uses it to store small snacks now. Each compartment nicely holds goldfish and other small snacks.

Love it!

"Don't buy a lot of fancy gadgets; the less kitchen equipment that I have, the easier it is to find exactly what I need in the drawer."
From "Barefoot Contessa, Back to Basics" by Ina Garten