The kids and I travel from time to time. Not far, but we go to Phoenix (2 hours), Pinetop (4-5 hours) or even Rocky Point (4-5 hours) as often as we can.

We just got back from a long weekend in Pinetop. My parents own a cabin up there that I grew up going to, and we are so lucky that they allow us to go up pretty much anytime. We are also lucky to have friends who love it up there as much as we do and who enjoy meeting us up there for a weekend of chasing kids eating and drinking relaxing fun.

I have gotten pretty good at packing for them – as light as possible but without leaving any of the most important items (Pillow Pet, Blankie, Diapers, Toys, Food…) behind.

Here are a few of the things I’ve learned about traveling with kids. Or, at least about traveling with my kids.

~   ~   ~

1. Approximately 20 minutes into the trip, Lilly will ask if we are there. What town are we in? When will we be there? NOW are we there? This whining will last for at least 30 minutes.
It is at this time that I will realize that this whole “taking kids on trips” thing is highly overrated.

2. At some point on the road, there will be peace and happiness. The kids will talk to each other, laugh, and often times even hold hands. They will point out the “beeeeeauuuuutiful” scenery and will tell stories about when they were “teeny tiny babies.”
It is at this point when I realize that this whole “taking kids on trips” thing is, in fact, underrated and I should do it approximately every single day.

3. When we reach our destination, there is a mandatory “run around” time of at least 1 hour before sitting to eat or trying to sleep. Lilly will, however, prefer to sit during this time because she is “sooo tired.”
Yeah, she’s probably tired of whining about how hard it is for her to sit for so long in the car.

4. When the kids and I sleep in the same room, we wake up very very early. Usually Zac wakes up first and proceeds to poke me in the eyeball.
Ouch.

5. One can never have too many books for a road trip.
Kids who can’t yet read tend to “read” at warp speed.

6. Listening to Lilly “read” to Zac will melt my heart.
Seriously.

7. Handling kids who are tired, over-stimulated, and grumpy can drive me to the brink.
One dazzling smile can bring me right back.

8. Driving through an unknown area on an “adventure” with two kids can be seriously hilarious.
Especially when they moo at the cows and talk incessantly about everything they see that is out of the ordinary.

9. Bring snacks. Snacks save the day, save money, and save mom’s sanity.
(Wine does the same)

10. Eavesdropping on their conversations is priceless!

~   ~   ~

I’ve learned that traveling with my kids is never 100% easy but is always worth it. And, really, they are pretty good travelers, well behaved most of the time, and incredibly fun kids. It gets easier every time.  Except when it’s not.

Have you met Julie? Go check out her “What I Learned This Week” carnival. It’s like a party, but with fewer calories.

What are your tips for traveling with kids???

Did you know that kids are happy with cold pasta and veggies for dinner?

Now you do.

You know what else? I made a pretty decent Rice Crispy Treat.
And, when I ask Facebook if it’s ok to eat said Rice Crispy Treats for breakfast, my friends will come through with nothing but support.

Did you know that the correct way to count to 10 does NOT actually include 4 or 5. But, there are two sevens. Just ask Zac, he’ll tell ya.

Did you know that serving peas to toddlers right after cleaning the floor is not the smartest idea? Yeah, I shoulda known that one.

Hmm… did you know that I just called my 4 year old a toddler? How long do you think I can get away with that one? Till she’s 20? 25 maybe?

How about this one: Did you know that asking a 4 year old if you can sit at the “little table” with them just might end in the 4 year old telling you to please, please, try to NOT break the chair.

Ahem.

Did you know that having a two year old with a play toolkit in the house can be very helpful? I mean, he can “wrench” things and whatnot… one day one of us will learn what all of these funny tools do. Really. It will probably be him, but it’ll happen.

Also? It would be nice to have a tape measure around here. Did you know that? You know, to measure stuff. I wonder why that didn’t come with the toy toolkit?

Did you know that when Lilly goes to the bathroom, Zac gets kinda freaked out and runs around the house yelling “YIYI?!? MY YIYI?!?”

It’s simultaneously adorable and frustrating.

Finally, did you know that it’s Tuesday. And JULIE writes about what she’s learned over the past week? And usually, she learns a lot of weird, random, and hilarious things?

You all know that I love JULIE and her crazy fun blog. I’m going to follow right in her well pedicured footsteps here (I’m making an assumption here, but I’d bet her toes are purdy) and compile a rambling list of random things I have learned this week!

So, in no particular order and with no particular rhyme or reason… stuff I’ve learned:

+ + + + +

+ I’m very forgetful. Sometimes I even go as far as to forget that I’m a forgetful person. This is when things go terribly wrong.

+ Sleepovers are super fun, even at the ripe old age of NoneOfYourBusiness.

+ Using my Kitchenaid makes me smile and think of my grandma. Not because she used a Kitchenaid, but because she bought mine for me. Actually, technically she bought it for me after she passed away, but that’s another story for another time.

+ Crock pot meals are da bomb.

+ When you’re 2 and 4, a backyard picnic is one of the coolest things that your super cool mom can do for you.

+ When you’re the ripe old age of NoneOfYourBusiness, backyard picnics are full of running back and forth into the house for forgotten items.

+ Sometimes, a little boy just wants to sleep with his Tonka truck.

+ I’ve never been a huge fan of April Fool’s Day… that said, managing to pull off a pretty decent practical joke on a friend at work makes me SMILE! That said, I might have to call in sick next April 1 though.

+ When things are busier than normal at work… there is less time for blogging in the evenings!

+ + + + +

That’s it folks. Or, at least that’s all I can remember right now. But, you know how forgetful I am.

While I’m trying to remember my name, go visit JULIE and her What I Learned This Week carnival!

Running is hard.

I didn’t really learn that this week. Truth is, I’ve known it since… well, since I started running.

The thing is, I really enjoy running. I’ve learned a lot since I started running. A lot about myself, fitness, and friendship.

When I started running with an amazing group of friends who let me improve at my level and pace, all while cracking jokes and “dragging” me out to breakfast after. The best part was that my sister is part of this group. Really, I blame her for this whole running mess.

I don’t run with that group as often as I’d like anymore, due only to changes in scheduling ~ Saturday morning runs just aren’t always doable anymore.

Lately, I’ve been running most often with these two bozos. We run, we laugh, we create absurd nicknames and we torment each other… all while torturing ourselves for mile after endless mile. Seriously, it’s great.

Through running, friendships in my life have grown. But, also, I’ve learned a lot about myself through running.

I’ve learned how to struggle. I’ve learned discipline. I’ve learned how to know my body… when to push myself to continue and when to turn around and go home. I’ve learned that I like what I see when I’m running regularly.

I wrote this with inspiration from JULIE‘S What I Learned This Week carnival. Even though I didn’t just start running this week, I seem to learn these same lessons over and over.

I’d also like to try other ways of staying fit. I tried Zumba a couple of times, and loved it, but the class I was taking fell through. What types of things do you do to stay fit?

I love the rodeo.

Every year in February we get 2 days off of school, making a 4 day weekend, for the rodeo. I love the rodeo.

Actually, I haven’t gone to the rodeo or any of the surrounding events in many years. I do hope to get back there one day… when the kids are bigger I’d love to take them to the parade, and to the rodeo itself. For now, though, it’s a great chance to get out of town and see some friends!

The kids and I went on a short road trip where we had a very busy weekend. We visited with a great friend of mine who recently moved to Arizona from California. By “recently” I mean that they had been here less than a week when the kids and I showed up. Trust me, I would have been there sooner if I could have been.

After two days and nights there, we switched houses and stayed one more night with another friend. All in all, it was a great weekend, and one I plan to write about in more detail (and with pictures) soon.

I love that I can pack the kids up and cart them around from house to house for a long weekend, and they handle it pretty darn well.

Anyhow… since it’s Tuesday and I love linking up with JULIE, here are:

Things I learned this week — road trip edition.

~ Kids will eat cantaloupe, sliced bell peppers, string cheese, and bagels with cream cheese as “road trip food” just as easily as they will eat McDonalds.

~ Wake up time will always be earlier when sleeping in the same room as one or both of my kids.

~ You can fit three frontward facing car seats in the backseat of a suburban, making mall trips, errands, and grocery store runs much more fun.

~ Lilly can talk for the entire drive nonstop. Non. Stop.

~ Zac can sleep through Lilly talking nonstop.

~ Zac can learn to crawl out of playpens and cribs, giving mommy anxiety.

~ Age 4 is apparently when Lilly decided to start purposefully leaving Zac out of playtime when she’s around a friend. I was never the younger sibling, but my heart breaks for him.
(Also, sorry sister. I’m sure I never left you out or was mean to you in any way, but in case you’re wrong and think I did… sorry.)

~ While Zac loves all trucks, buses, trains, fire engines, bikes, etc… and yet, will get shy and back away when given the opportunity to sit in them and explore them.

~ Not bringing my computer on vacation is a beautiful thing.

~ I have amazing friends.

~ I have amazing kids.

Do you take kids on road trips? What are your hints or tricks to survival?