I couldn't start posting about vacation without starting with the few "favorite" items that made our road trip not only bearable - but in fact quite pleasant.
In total we spent 29 hours in the car. On the way down, we drove 10 1/2 the first day to
Hattiesburg. Let me start by saying that OF COURSE the
dvd player ranks as the
#1 car trip savior. But, in that amount of time - even a 2 year old eventually gets tired of
Cars.So, my
#2 favorite thing is the lap desk I got from One Step Ahead. It actually is "soft" so in case of an accident it would "fold up" (let's not talk about what the mountain of items in the back of the car would do in an accident). The desk has a large lip which is perfect for
catching Color Wonder markers (a
#3 fav), cars, books, etc. There are also pockets on the sides, so I can put a few favorite toys and Crawford could reach them.
I NEVER thought
#4 would make the list, but it's got to be fast food restaurants with indoor play grounds. I can't even think about the germs, but when you've got a toddler - you carry in the Germ-X and let them run loose. Let's just say it is H-O-T in August in AR, TN, MS and AL - so indoors was a requirement.
#5 is my new bottle warmer. Crawford always drank his bottles at any temp, but Con really prefers a warm bottle. So I got this one for $8 (read the reviews and the
cheapy actually got the best
ratings). It was great. I'd pull out a bottle 15 min before we stopped and it would be nice and toasty for her to drink up. Remember, Con is still on the "liquid gold" so we'd
pre-make the bottles in the morning and keep them in the cooler. As an aside - I completely forgot to give Con her
Prevacid this trip (took it but spaced giving it) and she's eating BETTER THAN EVER.
#6 - "free" Highlights stickers. I stumbled on this when we went to visit Megan a few weeks ago. Nap time is rather "hard" to keep scheduled when you are on the road. So, when it was time for Crawford to nap - he wanted to play "peek-a-boo" with
Conlee. So, I broke out the stickers that had the puppy with his eyes closed. This meant it was "nap" time and I gave him his "covers" and he was out like a light. When he woke up he got an "awake" sticker. No idea where this idea came from, but it worked like a charm.
The tummy ticklers with "character"
sippys have got to be
#7. This is one Megan taught me about. I never shopped the "real" juice aisle (was buying it in the baby aisle). Crawford "talked" and played with Bob and Clifford the entire way down.
The Dollar Store is my
#8 (these are in no particular order). We went a few weeks prior to the trip and I stocked up on "random" toys that I could keep up front with me to "reward" Crawford for good behavior. So, every few hours - I'd give him a surprise and he'd be in heaven. Total spent $7 - melt downs avoided - PRICELESS. A few favorites were the "gun", the Spider Man car and a motorcycle.
He used the gun to "hunt" for bears for the first 2 1/2 hours of the trip (no
dvd needed). He'd say, "I see bear out there. Bang, got him. Your turn Momma." I'd find one behind an over pass and bang, I got him. You get the drift?
#9 is the Residence Inn. Bo was so smart and booked us a room here in
Hattiesburg. For $189 we had a full kitchen, living room, 2 huge bedrooms and a pull out sofa. Then there were the "perks." There was a sport court with basketball and tennis, swimming pool/hot tub, free
wifi, breakfast with made to order waffles, and an amazing bar/restaurant (The Alumni House) that delivered food. We pulled in around 5:30 and it was great to let Crawford play ball and run loose. We were able to put the kids down and have some "adult" time in the living room. Our parents were so great that they stayed with the kids and Bo and I walked over the the Alumni House - an amazing sports bar. Vacation was off to a very nice start!
Last year we were at the Hampton in 2
separate rooms for $135 a piece. No "living" area - just 2 double beds in each room. When Crawford went down, we had to go down too because the rooms
weren't adjoining and no way was I leaving him alone. So the Residence Inn started the trip off great.
Last and final (and obvious)
#10 is TREATS. Turns out that kids are just like us, being on the road makes you bored and HUNGRY. I packed a bag full of fruit roll-ups, cookies, cheese crackers, everything you could imagine. Crawford ate it ALL. Now, he didn't eat much dinner, but hey - it's vacation and if he wanted a cookie at 10 am - I let him have it. As parent's don't we have to pick our battles?
I had to capture all of the above so that I can remember to do it again next year! Honestly, God has blessed me with 2 wonderful children. I "know" they are wonderful, but I did not believe that there was ANY way that travel time could have gone as well as it did.
We ate every meal outside on the balcony. It was wonderful. The room is on the end with a wrap-around deck. You get a great view of sunset over the bay.
Here are a few pics of the rooms. Both kids loved the gigantic bed in the master. We'd all climb back in to watch cartoons after breakfast (yes, made to order by Pops).
Babe & Pops' room. I didn't get a pic of Sue-Sue's room?!?! It was great too.
The large entryway was perfect for storing all of the beach stuff and coolers. Out of the way so we didn't have to look at the mess!
We didn't use this much :)
We can't wait for J-J to join us next year. We are already making plans!
Around 3:30 it started raining, so we made a stop at the indoor pool. There is a huge pool, baby pool and 3 hot tubs. This place is amazing!
A new family tradition. Thanks T Hill for the idea! Thanks to everyone for the 
Bo and I went for a run and Crawford got into the books that Babe brought him the library.
Con had to get in on the action.
Pops made chocolate molasses. Of course Crawford LOVED it!
Our condo is amazing. So big and gorgeous.
