AMAZING website for packing light...

This website is brilliant! They will ship anything you need to your destination so its waiting for you when you arrive. They even put together little "packs" of items - like things for the pool, etc. From diapers and baby food to toys and sunblock -- they ship it so you don't have to pack it.

With the restrictions on luggage today...this is a godsend!

http://www.babiestravellite.com/

Travel Safety

The same safety measures we take at home will also need to be implemented on the road. Hotel rooms will have outlets, cabinets, BLINDS (the boys love blinds), curtains, wires and other things I'm sure we haven't discovered yet.

To be safe, I'm going to play the role of "Mommy MacGyver" and bring along some simple tools to hopefully do the trick. So far we have packed:

Elastic bands -- we use these at home to child proof kitchen cabinets. Well...we actually use my hair elastics. Either way, they work just as well as those little screw in levers.
Gardening wire -- we'll use this wherever we need it. Easy to manipulate and strong, so we can hold doors open or closed...use this to keep sliding doors closed, etc.
Outlet covers -- I had a pack of these plastic covers left over, so we'll take them along to make sure everything is safe from prying fingers.
Binder clips -- I read in one of my books that these are a great option for taking to clip back curtains, vertical blinds, and to clamp together loose wires. They can even be used to weigh down your beach blanket. Brilliant!
Door knob covers -- I am just taking the ones we have here at home. The boys love to try and turn door knobs, so I'd feel better having these safety gizmos along with me.
Packing Tape -- my plan is to use the tape to prevent the boys from locking themselves in a room. We can just tape the door so it's always in an open position. With interconnecting rooms throughout, I just envision them pulling a door closed between rooms.

I think that these items should do the trick in keeping them safe. They aren't walking yet, but that is fine by me. Don't need them learning any new tricks before we go!

Things to make our travels easier - Part One

In all of my research, I discovered lots of handy items to make life easier on the road. Our favorite purchase last year (one that we used on our trip to Florida) is the Go Go Kidz Travelmate. You attach it to your car seat and it instantly transforms it into a stroller for navigating the airport. It was easy to remove going through security...even wheeled onto the plane! Plus, it freed up our arms as we navigated the terminals. So they are definitely coming to Fiji. We'll check the stroller at the gate.

Another must-have (and new favorite) item is the Drink Deputy. It's a tether for your sippy cups that you can attach to a stroller, car seat, etc. This is super helpful for me as Cole and Tommy both like to throw their cups when they are done taking a sip. On a plane or in a dirty airport, this would be problematic. We've been using them for a few weeks and I already love them.

Compression bags are my new discovery this week. I've been struggling with ways to pack all the diapers necessary for this trip. We are big fans of Pampers...and we're traveling to a small island...so we'll be bringing what we need. I found out that there is a small store in which we can purchase diapers if need be...but I'd rather be safe. By using the compression bags, we are saving LOTS of space in the luggage. We average 12 diapers a day with these guys. So multiply that times 14 days and you see why the compression bags are so brilliant.

I found milk boxes while shopping yesterday and almost cheered in the store aisle. Every morning, the boys wake super early for their sippy of milk. I worried that we would need to remember to get milk every night...and hopefully have a way to keep it refrigerated. I also worried about needing bottles on long transfers where there would be no means of keeping their milk cool. These are the PERFECT solution. This organic milk is heated at such a high temp that it can be stored at room temperature until opened. They look just like a juice box and hold 8 oz. So...just toss two in the bag and we are all set! Love it!!

Okay...back to packing. I'll list more favorites as I go along.

The countdown has begun!

We're leaving a week from Saturday and it's starting to feel VERY real all of a sudden. Time to get the house squared away, the suitcases dusted off... and start packing! I've decided to blog about this whole process as it truly has become part of this adventure. When you are taking two one-year old boys 1/2 way around the world for two weeks, you need to be prepared for any situation.

This has been my summer project of sorts. Reading books, articles, blogs on family travel and talking to people who have already walked in these shoes. Of course I worked in family travel so have soaked in the stories, tips and encouragement from clients over the years. Every little bit has helped me to reach this point. Time to start putting it all together.

So today the suitcases will be set up...clothing washed and prepped and "the list" will become my new obsession. Organization is key to making sure things go as smoothly as possible. My goal is to have the boys packed by the weekend. Once they are taken care of...I can breathe easier and focus on the rest.

Okay, off I go!