babes still in jammies… baking midday… fixer upper on… YEP, that’s a rainy + cold first day of spring, right there!!
last week, maddalena had school off for spring break. we didn’t go anywhere, [i FULLY believe in taking our spring vacay in mid-april or later for as looooong as we can pull it off!] and it was kind of perfect that we did nothing but let the kiddos unwind from the usual routine. i could tell they needed it, especially baby girl. [okay, and me! i seriously hate being a drill sergeant at 7am!]
but what a dreeeeaaary week it was around here! we were home avoiding the drear so much, i even baked my favorite banana bread that i *literally* have not baked in years. aaand today is still dreary. yesterday was dreary. but the day before that was gorge and i actually sat outside for about 30 minutes to get my tan prep on. 🙂
anyway!!!! where is spring? at least we’re catching up on our fixer upper eps… before it officially ends next week! tear!!! i just really need them in my life.
also, please let me know if you have tips for extremely long car rides with kiddos! it’ll be our first time driving to my happy place next month [!!!!!!] [well, not my first time, but steven + the baby buns first time], and it’s gonna take abouuuut 12 hours. we did it all the time growing up! but at this point, we’ve already ruined our chillens… and ourselves… by flying, i feel. however… we will probably stop for a hotel and break it up, so that will help!
We regularly drive to San Diego from Central California, which depending on traffic is about a 6-10 hour drive. We have done it since Liam was a newborn, and now that he is 3, we keep him occupied with silly games, like spot the _____ color car, or looking for letters in signs, but we also caved and got him a Kindle that he is able to play games on (without internet), or I connect him to my phone (set up as a hot spot), and he watches YouTube videos, which keeps him pretty well occupied. Sometimes I sit in the back for a while with him, and hold his hand or talk to him. The last time we went, last month, was his worst trip, and he cried for a while on the way home – he was just tired of sitting. There was nothing we could do about it, but he eventually wore himself out. Not all that helpful, but we typically let him bring his selection of snacks, toys, books, and the Kindle, and it keeps him occupied MOST of the drive. 🙂 Good luck, Happy Easter, and Happy Spring time, almost Summer time!
So my Mom had this GREAT idea last week! They came and picked Mia up to bring her back to MN for to spend her Spring Break with them 🙂 While the drive isnt as long ( 7 hours), maybe you can make something similar? It’s basically a chart of things to look for and then they can check off, very official 😉 She put certain cities they would pass or be stopping by and then random things like a lake, a red car, a horse, a bridge etc. Just an idea 🙂
Oh my are you driving up north or down south??! How very exciting either way! You know me I’m a fan of driving so we just load up their iPads and snacks and set up a laptop with movies they haven’t seen yet. Oh and a portable travel potty because one just never knows does one? Here’s to spring and sun please!!
south, girlfriend!!! you KNOW i am ready. not much else would sell me on a 12 hour haul! texting you ASAP re: travel potty. amazing!