Traveling with Kids.... Time to break the rules!

We had a great time this past weekend on our first overnight trip with both boys.  It was a lot of fun, but as I had learned before with just Lucas, it was a completely different kind of vacation now that we have kids.  Here are some things we learned, most of them were learned the hard way...

Do get your kid his own suitcase

Don't expect him to actually carry it.

Do pack more than you need, of everything. 

Don't expect that you'll find anything when you need it.

Do bring water bottles, sippy cups, and snacks.

Don't leave them in the car when you visit an amusement park or attraction ($6.68 for two small bottles, seriously?!)

Do try to relax and just go with the flow.

But...

Don't have high expectations.

And....

Don't plan on getting any sleep.

Do plan the best routes ahead of time, and include a few pit stops on the way... Unless you want to be like us, searching for a McDonalds with two screaming kids in the backseat, while going about 5mph in really crappy traffic.  

Do pack everything in the car, take showers, and make snacks the night before to make a quick getaway in the morning.

Don't leave at rush hour.

Do plan driving time around naptime... makes life a little more enjoyable.

Do whatever you need to make things easier and less work for mom and dad - fast food, tv in the car, unlimited juice boxes, and keeping the kids up late.  It won't kill them.  It's vacation, time to break the rules.

Most of all, have fun, take lots of pictures, and bring home lots of good memories.  Here are some of ours...