This weekend we're taking off on another road trip. As time-saving as flying is (unless you have delays), I have to say that road trips are my favorite.
Sure, there's the cramped leg space at times and sometimes whiny kiddos in the backseat and too much fast food. But there's also the freedom to stop whenever you need to stretch your legs, great sights to see out the windows, and the space to bring your cooler. All great reasons to take road trips, in my book!
I have been busy getting my car in shape for the trip. Some of the essentials that I have stashed in the car are:
- sunglasses
- umbrella
- phone charger
- gps (this is my hubby's essential item)
- dvds & cds
- sanitizer
- wet wipes
- extra napkins in the glove box
- extra straws
- extra plastic ware
- sunscreen
- bug spray
- first aid kit
- notepad & pen
I've recently added some fun road trip games to the car, too.
First of all is my all-time fave game to play while traveling by car~
the license plate game! On every vacation and major road trip that my family has ever taken, we always played this game. Of course, growing up we didn't have a fancy~shmancy magnetic game, we just made our list on a notepad:) I saw this a while back at Target though and thought it would be fun to have. In case you're not sure how this game is played, you just look for as many different state license plates as you can. The goal, of course, is all 50, but that's tough! I can remember the closest we ever came was 49. We had even found Alaska and Hawaii, but I think it was Rhode Island that eluded us. This isn't a competitive game, simply a fun group effort.
Next is the classic game of
Bingo {with a road trip theme} in magnetic form. The kiddos got this for Christmas, but I've been saving it for a good trip. They love to play Bingo, so this should be a hit.
These aren't games, but
flash cards (occasionally) will be fun~always trying to sneak in something educational, aren't I? The math cards are for The Princess and the First Words cards for Mr. B. These are all from The Dollar Tree, don't you love dollar stores?!
And last of all is a fun set of
Brain Quest cards I picked up at the book store not long ago on sale. I've also been saving these for this trip. These are fun trivia questions all about America. What better subject to study on a good USA road trip, I ask you!?!
What are some of your *essentials* for a road trip? I'd love to hear about them~leave me a comment!
We've been in Ohio this week. Hamilton, to be specific, which is in the Cincinnati area. Hamilton is the town I grew up in. It's been 12 years since I've visited so I've been having a blast this week seeing lots of *old* friends and showing my kiddos all the familiar sights.
We enjoyed our drive here. Then we had fun at the Arch and the Science Museum. We even got to experience a tornado while we were at the museum. Thankfully it didn't touch down and passed by quickly~luckily we are old hats with tornados, being from the South and all. We just hung out with about 150 other museum-goers who hadn't yet left either.
I have this small, accidental collection of straw hats. I love them! Each one has special memory associated with it. For the past few years most of them have been stored away, but this Spring I thought I would get them all out so that I can enjoy looking at them. And they're handy so that I can grab one on the way out the door on a sunny day!
This post is linked to Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home.
These aren't games, but flash cards (occasionally) will be fun~always trying to sneak in something educational, aren't I? The math cards are for The Princess and the First Words cards for Mr. B. These are all from The Dollar Tree, don't you love dollar stores?!
I'm loving my new luggage tags!! Hobby Lobby, you rock! 
Our wedding day
Leaving the reception
On our honeymoon in Paris, France
On a trip to NYC
Fern Gully, Jamaica
Fresh lobster on Prince Edward Island, Canada
The Rocky Mountains, Colorado
In Washington D.C.
Skiing in Winter Park, Colorado
On our 10th anniversary trip to Maui, Hawaii
Fort Morgan, Alabama
Fall 2009
Spring 2010
I'm keeping this week as simple as possible in the kitchen. Vince is gone all week and the rest of us are preparing for a trip later in the week, too.
This first one is a dinner plate. It's American made, with sweet flowers and gold around the edges. I plan to hang it in The Princess' room. It flows perfectly with the plates already hanging in her room.
This second one is more of the bread and butter size. It's Limoges with a lovely fruit pattern that I don't remember seeing before: "Pomona". I know I plan to use this some where in my living room, but I'm still deciding if I want to hang it or put it on a stand. I love these colors though, it matches so well. 
Have you noticed the sweet quilted sampler that I'm using for this shot? I love this little piece and recently re-discovered it. I bought it in my pre-child days with the idea of hanging it in my nursery one day. And I did just that~with both children. Then it had been put away with all of the baby bedding. So recently when I was going through all of the storage tubs, I found it and thought it was just too pretty to pack away again. It's one of those things that makes me *smile*.
0141. perfect Spring weather
0142. hanging out with friends
0146. and make little wishes
0147. flying kites
This week I'm getting a little cooking break at the beginning~woot! We are visiting Vince's grandparents today in Oklahoma City. We're also celebrating our anniversary a little early because Vince has to be out-of-town on the actual day next week.
