I'm getting ready to embark on a 15 hour (if all goes smoothly) road trip with my husband and our newly potty trained 3 year old son. An undertaking such as this takes some major strategery (thanks, Dubya) to ensure we arrive at our final destination in good spirits!
I've packed a cooler bag full of healthy snacks like apples, granola bars, Metro Mint water (a fav of mine), nuts, squeezable apple sauce packets, apple juice and the like so we can do our best to avoid the guilty road food of McD's and pizza. Of course, I'll need to stop at every Starbucks for an iced latte...
I've also packed a "doo dad" bag of goodies and activities for the boy...new board books, Crayola Color Wonder paper and markers and never before played with Matchbox cars to keep him content and busy while confined to the back seat. We drive overnight which helps get the bulk of the trip done while our little guy is asleep...this helps tremendously.
I try to be as comfy as possible when we do these long drives but I certainly don't resort to grungy sweats. In colder months I'll do a tunic with leggings and cozy boots or slip on flats but since this is the hottest effing summer my regular uni will not do. A mid length, jersey tee shirt dress will be comfy yet not totally dumpy during the day and easily serve as a nightgown when it's my turn to rest. Of course flip flops are really the only choice for this occasion...
I don't wear makeup during the trip but I freshen up with a periodic spritz of face mist, a swipe of tinted lip balm and rely heavily on my extra large sunnies to make me appear more glam than I am.
I've downloaded great road trip media to my iPad in preparation:
* podcasts - The Bugle, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, Radio Lab, WTF with Marc Maron and Get Mommy a Drink (really excited about that one)
* kiddeos (did I just make up this blend of the words kid and videos?) - the usual suspects of Thomas & Friends, Winnie the Pooh and The Polar Express (my kid loves trains)
* apps - Quick Sleep (to provide soothing, non car sounds to encourage the boy to be quiet already), Priceline (in case we do need a hotel) and Best Road Trip Ever in case we want to stop to check out offbeat attractions and resto's along the way.
* books - I'm just now starting Kelly's Cutrone's "If You Have to Cry, Go Outside" then I'll start "Film Flam" by Larry McMurty, the famous Hollywood screenwriter.
* music - I just rediscovered Matt & Kim so I bought their newest album "Sidewalks" which will keep me alert and engaged during my turn at the wheel. Sidebar: I watched them perform on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and their enthusiasm is so infectious...
Now I just need to start packing...yikes!
I've packed a cooler bag full of healthy snacks like apples, granola bars, Metro Mint water (a fav of mine), nuts, squeezable apple sauce packets, apple juice and the like so we can do our best to avoid the guilty road food of McD's and pizza. Of course, I'll need to stop at every Starbucks for an iced latte...
I've also packed a "doo dad" bag of goodies and activities for the boy...new board books, Crayola Color Wonder paper and markers and never before played with Matchbox cars to keep him content and busy while confined to the back seat. We drive overnight which helps get the bulk of the trip done while our little guy is asleep...this helps tremendously.
I try to be as comfy as possible when we do these long drives but I certainly don't resort to grungy sweats. In colder months I'll do a tunic with leggings and cozy boots or slip on flats but since this is the hottest effing summer my regular uni will not do. A mid length, jersey tee shirt dress will be comfy yet not totally dumpy during the day and easily serve as a nightgown when it's my turn to rest. Of course flip flops are really the only choice for this occasion...
I don't wear makeup during the trip but I freshen up with a periodic spritz of face mist, a swipe of tinted lip balm and rely heavily on my extra large sunnies to make me appear more glam than I am.
I've downloaded great road trip media to my iPad in preparation:
* podcasts - The Bugle, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, Radio Lab, WTF with Marc Maron and Get Mommy a Drink (really excited about that one)
* kiddeos (did I just make up this blend of the words kid and videos?) - the usual suspects of Thomas & Friends, Winnie the Pooh and The Polar Express (my kid loves trains)
* apps - Quick Sleep (to provide soothing, non car sounds to encourage the boy to be quiet already), Priceline (in case we do need a hotel) and Best Road Trip Ever in case we want to stop to check out offbeat attractions and resto's along the way.
* books - I'm just now starting Kelly's Cutrone's "If You Have to Cry, Go Outside" then I'll start "Film Flam" by Larry McMurty, the famous Hollywood screenwriter.
* music - I just rediscovered Matt & Kim so I bought their newest album "Sidewalks" which will keep me alert and engaged during my turn at the wheel. Sidebar: I watched them perform on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and their enthusiasm is so infectious...
Now I just need to start packing...yikes!