Road Tripping with the Kiddos' - Today!

i do long trips with my daughter or my niece and nephew frequently and I never really think to much about it. Electronics seem to do more harm then good for M., batteries died, fighting...so I pack a huge coloring book, crayons, and books to read and we listen to music play the old school games Rachel talks about and J. drive. They don't need to be entertained 24/7. Also I'd pack tylonel and other meds you might need. It seems I only need them when I don't have them and you cant run out in the middle of the night for it when its J. you.
Oh and most importantly Jump on the Bed with them and have fun=)

Updated

i do long trips with my daughter or my niece and nephew frequently and I never really think to much about it. Electronics seem to do more harm then good for M., batteries died, fighting...so I pack a huge coloring book, crayons, and books to read and we listen to music play the old school games Rachel talks about and J. drive. They don't need to be entertained 24/7. Also I'd pack tylonel and other meds you might need. It seems I only need them when I don't have them and you cant run out in the middle of the night for it when its J. you.
Oh and most importantly Jump on the Bed with them and have fun=)

Just make sure that you stop about halfway, or a little over and let the kids get out and play, stretch etc. We usually stop at a McD's with a playland (which you can map out on McD's website..you have to search playland and it will let you map out your trip with all of them on there ---I just write down exit numbers and town names). If you are in a hurry to get on the road, you let the kids play while you eat, then order their food to go. They eat in the car (after they have washed their hands!).

Make sure that your hotel room is away from the elevator (if you have kids that don't sleep well). I also take a fan with me for the room. You can always have it in the car and take it in later, if you decide you need it.

WIth your kids being a little bit older, you will be fine!!!! Have fun! Some of my favorite trips were when my mom took 3 us on a trip and I got to help navigate. I got to read the map and help mom find the right roads. She took all 3 of us on 2 week vacations by herself --- and we camped in a tent! I don't know how she did it, but that really stuck with me.

We play the license plate game - ahead of time I print out a list of the states so we can keep track of how many state plates we see!! And YES!!! We've seen Hawaii and Alaska plates!!! :)

I also have them try and spell their names with plates or the road signs they see...that is fun!! We even do the alphabet game - Z and X are the hardest to find sometimes!!!

I know you'll rock this trip! And Kayla will do an AWESOME job at the dance recital!! I'm sad that Jeff decided softball was more important...I have a cast iron skillet if you think it would knock some sense into him!!! :)

HAHA I knew this would be you asking :)

You sound like you've got the perfect game plan; you've already thought ahead and done things most people forget, so you're way ahead of the game!

While you're on the road, don't forget about old school long car ride games if they get bored; the license plate game (see how many states you can list), 'I spy with my little eye...', the alphabet game, etc.

You've got it all under control mama!! I think most moms would be taking a page out of your book, LOL!! Have the best time :)

bravo! Road trips are a blast! I'm jealous....just last night, I told my mom that I really needed to hit the road. & the funny part is that I was on the road last wkend!

One of our fav games: count the WalMarts & McDonalds. We also play Road Bingo....& search for really bizarre/unique things - Oreo cow, purple big rig, etc.

Sounds like you've got it all under control.....enjoy!

Hi, Mom:
For your other issue, there is a book:

The Five Love Languages by Dr. Chapman.

Good luck.
Have a fun time.
D.

Hope you guys do well in the competition. We are considering doing some competition next year. The studio used to go to Branson all the time but those kids got older and the younger ones didn't really want to compete. So it's going to be all new again. Especially to me. I hope we have a blast doing it.

So, good luck!!!!!