I’m Leaving on a Jet Plane

Bryan leaves again for San Jose tomorrow, but this time he is taking us all with him! For TEN DAYS! I keep talking about how we are going on vacation, but he reminds me that HE will actually still be working. He pouts, but I know he’s glad to have us with him even if he IS still working. It is not good for a man to be without his family.

This is the longest vacation trip we have ever taken that didn’t involve visiting a grandparent (who seem to always have toys on hand and baby gear to use), so I did some planning ahead for living in a hotel room and eating in lots of restaurants, as well as for flying in an airplane. I purchased a few special toys that are small and easy to pack, and most items were under $5.

For instance, I found a small basketball hoop with suction cups and a foam ball that will stick to the window or refrigerator in our suite; the Barrel ‘o Monkeys game that fits in a container the size of a sippy cup; Hot Wheels for Thomas; Polly Pocket dolls for Ruthie; a baggie full of little dinasaurs (which are the same size as the little green army men); a little Nurf soccar ball and football (that fit in the palm of my hand); a few small horses we already had; and a few books, among other things. I also packed a large, square-bottomed beach bag that folds flat into the suitcase to keep the toys in while at the hotel, or to pack for a long day trip in the car.

I feel spoiled by the hotel we are staying in. We have a suite so the kids can take good naps in a bedroom, breakfast is included with our stay, and a few items stocked in the kitchen will save money at lunch time. There is also a pool, a workout room, and laundry facilities if we end up running out of clothes. But honestly, while I at first thought we would just spend time hanging out in the hotel and in Palo Alto where Bryan works, I now think we’ll be out exploring every day!

There’s a lot to do around the Bay Area, and my Tags are stockpiled with great ideas.