TIPsy Tuesday: Bin There, Done That.

One of my most favorite adventures is a road trip. In college it was the peak fun, impulsive, freedom-pumping of all plans. We looked forward to when it wasn’t a “home game” weekend, and hit the bricks. Mixed CD’s (and, ahem, tapes), 9 pairs of sorority-style, tight, black pants, 7 hair straightening contraptions and your borrowed parents’ gas card (for anything under the sun you could charge to it. I’ll never forget when my mom asked me, “Did you know your brother was buying groceries on the gas card?”…um, yeah. And he taught me that trick. Greatest sneaky purchases of all time. (Thank you M&D!)). And off we went.

While I still love the sense of adventure offered by a road trip, having three kiddos under 5.5 years of age has changed this game like a mother trucker. There is less raw excitement, but more hope for how long the activity at hand will keep them engaged, fear of them not ever falling asleep, and great celebration when we make it past certain landmarks before making another pit stop. I do love being with my famjam in any sitch, though would say we keep the road trips to a shorter distance, when possible, these days.

Not only has the wanderlust changed, but we have also traded the tight, black pants brigade and straighteners for a massive tub of toys and games. I only allow myself to do the packing of bags and the car, as it has to be very strategic. (Yes, super controlling on that front.) (and P.S., I always think as my “fall back gig” I would be an excellent grocery bagger. I learned a lot from Tetris in the 80’s. )

With the cribs, strollers, luggage, snacks, bikes, etc….there is a lot to consider. My little “tip” to offer to you is to use a large plastic storage bin. I think movers refer to them as  “totes”. We use these for toys, luggage, lugging groceries— whatever. They are an excellent stow to have on hand- 1) for keeping a packing job organized and compartmentalized, and 2) the real win is that it serves as a toy bin or “catch all” for where ever you are. We are often guests and it’s nice to have a place for all your belongin’s to go sporadically during the day (and especially at cocktail time). It’s totes a win.

Now start making tracks! Happy summer travel trails to you.