This past week has been tough. Evelyn chewed a huge hole in her pacifier, so we decided it was time for it to go. The first few days went okay, but after two days she was so distraught she started climbing out of her crib. So we converted her crib to a toddler bed, which apparently terrified her. So we took the crib down and just put the mattress on the floor. But she is still sleeping on the floor right by the door and crying a lot whenever it is time for a nap or bedtime.
Add to that the fact that the cat had to have emergency surgery over the weekend (thank goodness our vet is open on the weekends and we didn’t have to go to the actual emergency vet) for eating two feet of ribbon.
I’m ready for a vacation. And thank goodness we have one coming up soon.
I just wanted to check in today with some things I think are useful when getting ready for a vacation, things I always do to keep myself as organized as possible.
Google Docs
I have an entire folder in Google Docs for “Travel” with all kinds of lists. This year we’re going on vacation with Gerrit’s family and we’re staying in a house with a kitchen, so we have shared Google Doc where everyone has signed up for what nights they are in charge of making dinner for everyone/what snacks they are bringing/etc. But my travel folder also included packing lists and itineraries.
Packing List
I make a packing list for every trip we go on. Usually I just take the last packing list for the trip most similar to our upcoming trip (in Google Docs) and add and subtract things that will make it different this time around. Each list is of course categorized for each person in the family, plus a column for miscellaneous stuff, baby gear, food, and in this case, beach gear. And since it’s a shared document, Gerrit and I can both add things as needed before we print it off and start crossing stuff out as we pack.
Food Prep
We’re going to be staying at a house and making our own meals for this vacation; and since the entire family will be there, Gerrit and I are only in charge of two meals, plus some breakfast and snack foods. So far I’ve already made and frozen (first on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, then put in a container) burger patties and chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cereal bars. Still to come: monster cookies and chocolate quinoa muffins. Our side one night is going to frozen sweet potato fries that we throw in the oven. The point here is to use the freezer as your friend and make as much food ahead of time, minimizing the cooking you have to do on vacation. (Although I am still planning on making a pie and a salad down there)
Clean the House
It can add some stress sometimes, but it is always nice to come home to a clean house. And if I can’t get the entire house clean, I at least make sure things are relatively straightened up, the kitchen is clean, and most importantly: the trash has been taken out.
Load the Car
Gerrit always makes me laugh because he is always ready to load the car before I’m even done packing. This time though we are planning to leave at 4 in the morning so that Evelyn will sleep for the first part of the trip and we will get there by lunch time. Which means we’re going to load the car (minus the cooler and our toiletries) the night before.
What are your favorite tips while getting ready for a vacation?
Sounds like you’re very prepared! I’m way less organized, but I do spend a good deal of time thinking about the books and assorted entertainment I want while I’m traveling. I have to predict what kind of reading mood I’m in (I seriously think about it this way) and select books accordingly. Josh is in charge of board games, with a similar approach.
Have a great vacation!
Oh my goodness, yes re: the reading. I spent WEEKS trying to predict what kind of reading mood I was going to be in for this vacation and a few days before we left was actually majorly stressing about it because I couldn’t make a decision!