How to Pack for Family Vacations – Tips from a Quad Mama

Travelling with kids is no easy task, but the memories are sooooo worth the days of packing and planning. Many of you have hounded requested me to share some tips we’ve learned as we’ve traveled with quadruplets. I by no means feel like an expert, but I’m happy to share some of our experiences that could be helpful to you as you prepare for your own family vacations.

Make a List and Check it Twice

I created a Packing Checklist on Google Docs for our first family trip to Nashville, TN and I’ve kept adding/deleting/revising it ever since.  There’s some great ones online too. Travel Mamas has a comprehensive list of “What To Pack for Babies and Toddlers”. I used the All Ears “What to Pack for Your WDW Trip” packing list for our recent family vacation to Walt Disney World.

Research Your Destination

Prepare for pit stops along the way by using Mapquest or Google Maps. Get familiar with your lodging destination via their website and the amenities provided before you start packing – this saves room in your luggage when you do not have to pack items like towels, hairdryer, crib, etc. I like to check out sites like Trip Advisor to help plan out the activities in advance, so I can pack only  what is necessary. And be sure you plan for unpredictable weather with appropriate clothing!

Start Stockpiling

Head to your local Dollar Tree for road/flight distractions.  The boys LOVED the travel doodles that I found in the dollar section of Target. Your local library can be a free source of travel entertainment with new books and DVDs for the road.  Check for sales on diapers, wipes, and other supplies to stockpile for less.

Packing Supplies

I really find packing to be easier by using large Ziplock storage bags and packing for each day of the week.  (Thanks to Suz for teaching me this trick long ago!) For instance, for Tuesday I would pack 4 shirts, 4 shorts, and 4 pairs of socks in one zip lock, press out all of the air and label it “Tuesday”.  This makes it sooooo much easier to stay organized and make sure you aren’t missing any important items. (Plus it helps Dad to know what goes with what and helps the getting ready for the day a much smoother process!)

I also prefer packing things in clear plastic tubs vs. suitcases. Things are easier to find and you can stuff more in each container.

Feed the Children

Make sure you pack plenty of snacks for the trip and even for your hotel stay.  It saves a TON of money to have breakfast supplies and snacks on hand, and keeps you from making extra stops. There were multiple times when our boys started hitting a wall and I would get out a snack and it was like a restart for the entire van. Having breakfast supplies and in-between meal snacks helps stretch your budget and your time. Things I liked to have on hand: Bottled Water, Granola Bars, 100% Juice Boxes, Peanut Butter, Bread, Cereal, Crackers, Fresh Fruit, and Yogurt. Serious Eats has some great travel snack ideas as well.

Alright it’s YOUR TURN!  What are some of your best travel tips and packing ideas?  Or what other questions can I possibly assist you with? I recently posted some tips for travel safety that you might want to check out before you hit the road!

Safe Travels and Happy Memory Making!

Because Walgreens Is Never Lacking In Entertainment Value with Quads

We thought we could kick this nasty virus once and for all, but the boys were up coughing most of the night and Isaac woke up complaining about his ear hurting. So we paid our favorite doctor, Dr. Kersteff (Brooks refers to him affectionately as  Dr. Curse, which Isaac likes to correct him and says “No Buddy, it’s Ker-STEFF!”) and Nurse Kim a visit this morning.  The boys LOVED going to the doctor today and put on a comedy act while they were there.  They really are growing up sooooo quickly.

I’m so glad we had them looked at because the boys have some serious deep wheezing going on that we weren’t aware of…

So now they are all on steroid treatments to boost their lungs. Can you imagine what our house is going to be like with four 3 year olds on ‘roid rage? Yeah, me neither.

We decided to take all the boys in to get their meds at Walgreens.  I don’t think they’ve all been in a drug store at the same time before – such deprived little dudes.

We embraced the reactions, one liners, and comments for the pure entertainment of taking 4 curious, energetic, noisy BOYS into Walgreens. (Although we got quite the chuckle from another customer who just HAD to call someone on her cell phone one aisle over and tell them all about these 4 boys in the store who all look exactly alike. “No, I aint kiddin’ you. They were right next to me.” And the guy who asked if they were “Cooplets” was pretty priceless too.)

We even thought about buying one of these to add to the commotion, but we refrained. 

After waiting for our meds, and practicing the “One Finger Touch Rule” over and over and OVER, and of course taking a bathroom pit stop, we were on our way.

Just another ordinary adventure in our not so ordinary lives with “Cooplets”.

The Length a Quadruplet Brother Goes To Get Some One On One Attention

You might have caught that Isaac spent the wee hours of the morning in the ER with his daddy.  Apparently, he was in desperate need of some one on one time. So much for a plain ole boring fever. 

Shortly after we tucked him into to bed for the night he woke up in a panic, gasping for air.  It was obvious that his airway was constricted, and so we immediately administered a breathing treatment (only the 2nd one he’s ever had one in his life) and he asked to return to bed.  Not an hour passed, before he awoke again, even more upset and having an even more difficult time breathing.  Although he wasn’t coughing much, he had the classic seal bark and his airway sounded textbook strider.  He calmed down with in the steamy bathroom, but we didn’t feel comfortable putting him back to bed. 

Brad took the little dude to the ER while mama stayed back with the other three sickies. Just look at the poor little pitiful dude:

 

They were seen in a flash and had awesome care at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital.  Can’t say enough about that special facility.  So thankful to have great care so close.

After getting his fever down some and getting a steroid treatment he was feeling more like the little Isaac we all know and love:

Hopefully we’ll ALL be on the mend soon. 

We are soooo grateful for your prayers not only for our little sickies, but for keeping Brad’s family in your thoughts and prayers as well. 

Fever In The Morning. Fever All Through the Night.

*****UPDATE**********

After putting the boys down for the night, Isaac has woke up twice, with a raspy strider and gasping for breath.  (So much for non-scary illnesses.)  It looks like classic croup, but we don’t want to take our chances through the night.  Our on call doctor advised us to get him to the ER, and Brad is on the way with him now, while I stay here with the other 3 sickies.  We would so appreciate your prayers!  Poor Little Dude. I’ll update you soon.

*************************

Yes it’s getting warm outside, but we have four little bodies all toasty on the INSIDE too. 

Summer Fever x4.

Just when we thought we had the bedtime routine heading in the right direction…

However, we are so grateful that despite the fussiness and fever that we no longer have preemies with compromised immune systems.  We no longer have the fears of RSV or worrying if a respiratory illness will lead to hospitalization.

Give it a few days and they’ll most likely bounce back to their normal little spunky three year old selves. 

And the sprinkler will be waiting for them.

*** Also,would you all be keeping Brad’s family in your prayers?  I won’t go into details, but we are awaiting some tests results and your prayers would mean the world.***

 

How To Get Your Kids to Stay In Bed : Tips From a Quad Mom and Her Readers

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again.

WE ARE SO STINKIN’ BLESSED WITH OUR FAMILY OF READERS!

I came to you discouraged, exhausted, and in tears and you came to the rescue.

Seriously, if you’re having any trouble with bedtime at your house, there’s some brainy, creative, and insightful ideas in the comment section of “Give Me a Magic Solution for Bedtime” post.

 

Here’s just a sampling of the ideas shared that might just work for your bedtime routine:

“We could give him 3 pennies for his nightstand and tell him he had to give us one each time he got up. Whatever he had leftover the next morning went into his piggybank.” – Heather

“We did a sticker chart for a while and if they got a sticker in the morning for being good at bedime, 10 or something meant a special adventure with mommy or daddy or grandma ALONE.” – Aimee

“Each night they went to bed well a new train car would appear on their wall after they were asleep. We just drew a new one on paper each night. They loved waking up to see a new train car - it took awhile - the train was pretty long but eventually they didn't need it anymore. To everything there is a season :)” - Fisher Family

“I used duct tape. It works for anything. And Amber and Adam are only slightly scarred emotionally. :)” - Belinda C (Facebook)

“We use the "Teach Me Time" clock with Brooke. You can set it to glow green at the hour that it is okay for them to get up.” – Andrea P (Facebook) (I found this clock on Amazon if you are interested, it' looks like a great find!) 

“We did timeouts in the PeaPod Tent; if they wouldn't stay in their beds. We set up the tents in a separate room from their bedroom and would remove the offender from the bedroom if they got out of bed. I usually didn't give them their blankie so that they would understand I was serious and it was time to go to bed and blankies are for bedtime in BED.” –Joy L (Facebook)

However, I truly believe that  EVERY child is different.  My own 4 being a prime example of this very phenomenon.  What works for one of them, by no means works for all of them. Our particular offender was not motivated by surprises, positive reinforcements, or verbal praise.  Likewise he did not respond well taking away toys, losing privileges, or punishment. 

So what do you turn to when neither positive nor negative reinforcement works?  NEUTRAL!

I remember watching the Stay in Bed Technique on Supernanny pre-quads. The days when I thought I was such a good mom (before I even had any kids)! Several of you mentioned that it had worked for you, and I was willing to try anything for a full nights sleep!

The basics behind the technique is you are not allowing your child to gain the attention (negative or positive) that they are seeking by getting out of bed.  You complete the normal bedtime routine (bathroom, prayers, drink, book, etc.) and then put them to bed. The first and second times they get up, you reinforce that it’s bedtime by telling them and leading them back to bed.  After the third escape you just keep leading them back to bed, without a word or cuddle.

I’m not going to lie to you.  THIS IS HARD WORK!  We had one persistent little dude who was bound and determined that his excuses would get his way. I couldn’t have done it without my Tag-Team-Buddy, Brad. Over 100 put downs later and over an hour of continuing to put him back in bed, he was FINALLY down for the night.

But here’s the best part: 

Our consistency has paid off! 

He’s been staying in his bed without getting up for 3 NIGHTS IN A ROW!!!!!!

I asked for a “Magic Solution”. 

And you didn’t let me down.

I.O.U.

Somebody Give Me the Magic Solution To Keep Kids in Bed for the Night

(Door Knob Opens)

“I need to go potty.”

(Back to Bed Tactics)

(Door Opens)

“My toe hurts.”

(Reluctant Back to Bed Tactics)

(Door Opens)

“I need a drink of water.”

Minutes Pass and I Think All Is FINALLY quiet for the night…

(Door Opens)

“I need my yellow dog.”

(Desperate Back to Bed Tactics)

(Door Opens)

“I need a drink.”

“There’s thunder in my room.”

“I need something.”

“I need a hug.”

___________ FILL IN THE BLANK WITH ANY EXCUSE IN THE BOOK!

(Minutes often turn into hours)

Yesterday I tweeted and FBed for ideas on how you keep your kid(s) in their bed. Some of them we’ve tried and others I’m willing to give a shot at.

Having Potty Trained Boys Has Wreaked Havoc On Our Bedtime Routine. We’ve tried SO MANY things and nothing is motivating 2 of our boys to stay in their beds at bedtime. Not even my teary pleas. Once they are asleep they stay in their beds, but our nights keep getting later and later. And we are getting weary.

The later their bedtimes get, the later we find ourselves going to bed – because we crave a little “down time”, and time to finish end of the day tasks.

We aren’t alone in this right?  I’m turning to you for a dose of encouragement, creative suggestions, and just your support. 

(I know in the grand scheme of things this has little value and it’s turned into more of a whine session than I intended.  Forgive me for that, and see me through this trying stage, could you please?)

I’ll compile a list of suggestions and maybe if we ALL put our brains together we can come up with the magic cure to keeping your kids in bed for the night. We’ll patent it, write books, go on tour, make T-shirts, make up a DVD series…

Think of all the frustration we’ll save parents for generations to come!

Keepin’ It Real Rewinds – An End to the Sabbatical?

I know a lot of you have enjoyed my Keepin’ It Real Rewinds Series that I started to chronicle our experience with infertility, and an extreme high-risk pregnancy. It’s been a true privilege to connect to you through them, and to hear your own stories and struggles. It’s also been a true joy to celebrate with you on several occasions and rejoice over the blessing of a new miracle life.

However…

I’ve often put writing them aside, because they are just plain TOUGH to write.

Each paragraph brings back so many emotions from those days.  Days of grief.  Days of heartache. Days of uncertainties, held breaths, questions, difficult decisions, and bad news.

Part of me wants to put it all behind me.

To Let Go.

To Semi-Forget.

To Live Life Completely in the Present.

After all, we’ve been blessed more than we could have asked or imagined.  We are living a miracle. (4 of them, in fact!) We got the best possible scenario.

However…

I don’t want to forget the miracle. 

I don’t want to forget the obstacles that we’ve all overcome.

I don’t want to miss an opportunity to encourage one of you.

I don’t want to keep from giving God the glory and praise for preserving their lives.

 

So I’m contemplating returning to the series this summer…

(You can read the unfinished series if you’d like, while you wait on me to decide.)

Fresh Catch of the Day

Too bad Brad didn’t get a picture of the bass scaring the little lives out of them when it flopped right beside them! 

Can you imagine the fishing stories these boys will tell one day?

Let It Slide…

 

They love to play this game on the slide that they invented. Each of them slides down and slams into the last one in line. 

No cries.  Just laughter.

A game only BROTHERS could make up and love.

(Linked to 5 Minutes for Mom Wordless Wednesday)

Yes, We Can! (Bob the Builder Said It First)

Mother’s of preschoolers, regardless of party affiliation, know that President Obama was borrowing his famous “Yes We Can” campaign line from Bob the Builder.

In which Bob asks,

Can We Fix It?

To which the machinery responds:

Yes, We Can!

We were inspired by Bob’s “Yes We Can'” spirit in our potty training endeavors.  And to celebrate our “Yes We Did!!!!!”, we went diaperless AND strollerless to The Children’s Museum to visit the Bob the Builder Exhibit. 

Bob and his friends did not disappoint. We had a grand time and checked out most of the museum before heading home. 

    

The Sky’s The Limit…

I think there’s a great summer in store for these boys…

Life without diapers.

How sweet it is!

Out of the Mouth of Quads…

I always said I would write down some of the funny things that my kids would say so that I could remember them, and laugh at them later.  So many have passed with a few good chuckles, but I can’t retell them to save my life.

So here’s a few of the latest off the top of my head that you might get a giggle from…

~ The other day Brooks wiped out while visiting my parents, he was bleeding and before I could even get to him, Isaac announces unsympathetically, “He’s FINE.”

~ We arrived at church a little early (pats self on back) and there weren’t any kids (besides us) in the class yet.  One of them makes a comment about there not being any kids yet, and I told them there were 4 kids already here (meaning them).  Henry exclaims, “I’m not a kid!  I’m a BROTHER.”

~ Henry informed me twice tonight that I was a “big girl with a big bottom”. (Just what a girl wants to hear!) 

~ One of them (who shall remain nameless for now) saw my bra and asked me what it was.  It caught me completely off guard so I just told him with no explanation that it was a bra.  He then put both of his arms way up in the air and says, “When I get big….really really big. I’m gonna wear, I’m gonna wear a….. DRAWL!”

The BEST by far though are the spontaneous expressions of affections.  I never get tired of the multiple “I love you’s”  and calling me “buddy” or things like “Have a good day, Mama”.

Soaking it up now.

And writing it down for later.

What have you heard out of the mouth of your little one(s) lately?

Mother’s Day Agenda

Feeling blessed beyond what I could have asked or imagined.

Giving thanks for my own mother’s example, love, humility, strength, and sacrifice.

Being grateful for a mother-in-law who embraces our family, gives from her heart, and who raised a son who loves us unconditionally.

Celebrating other godly examples of mothers in my life who I admire greatly and who teach me much through their own display of grace.

Treasuring memories .

and

Striving to become a better mother and wife to my precious 5 boys. 

What are you doing this Mother’s Day?

Fun for a Buck : Painter’s Tape Roadways

 

Looking for some frugal entertainment for your little one(s)? We’re always looking for creative ways to play without breaking the bank. We like to pass those ideas onto you through our Fun for a Buck Series.

A new activity that has been a hit with our four boys is Painter’s Tape Roadways.  The idea is simple, cheap, and fabulous! (Especially for transportation loving boys!) All you need is a roll of painter’s tape and some matchbox sized vehicles.  Tape the painter’s tape into a big enough road to navigate around the room. We made stops along the way with our Fisher-Price Airport, Barn, and School. Add some cars and let the traffic games begin!

    

Do you need more Fun for a Buck ideas?  Check out this one and this one.

Have an idea to share or think you’ll try this one out?  Leave us a comment and tell us about it!

The Journey of Motherhood

As Mother’s Day quickly approaches, my thoughts have been filled with my journey to motherhood.  There were years that I didn’t know if I would have the privilege of being called “Mama” and so many days that I questioned why God would give me such a deep desire to be something that I could not humanly achieve.

My personal journey to motherhood has been full of unexpected turns and unfamiliar territory. Even now, it’s so much different than I could have imagined. So many times I find myself falling to my own expectations of who I thought I would be as a mother. There are times I must of lower the bar I’ve set for myself yet again to survive another stage. There are times that I am giving it my all and know it’s still not enough. 

And then there are times that I find delight in the small moments of motherhood, like taking them to throw rocks into a nearby creek. Frequent moments that I look at my boys from afar and soak in once again that they are truly a gift from God. Suddenly I’m hit with the reality that this is my journey.  These tender, adventurous, rowdy, simple, sweet, messy, busy, affectionate, crazy-filled days are my own fleeting days of motherhood.

Whatever may lie ahead in my path, I am grateful for this role and humbled by this responsibility. My purpose is defined as I journey ahead down the unexpected, challenging, and joy-filled path of motherhood.

Psalm 25:4,5 “Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;  guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

 

Turns Out I’m An Armadillo In Real Life.

I thought I was at least part human, but turns out I’m pure Armadillo.

According to Wikipedia:

 “the Giant Armadillo grows up to 1.5 m (5 ft) and weighs 59 kg (130 lbs)”

Ballpark.

There’s more…

“In the United States, the sole resident armadillo is the Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), which is most common in the central southernmost states, particularly Texas. Their range is as far east as South Carolina and Florida and as far north as Nebraska; they have been consistently expanding their range over the last century due to a lack of natural predators and have been found as far north as Illinois, INDIANA, and southern Ontario.”

They’ve spotted me.

“Armadillos have poor vision.”

Indeed.

“When threatened by a predator, Tolypeutes species frequently roll up into a ball.”

Sometimes.

“Armadillos have short legs but can move quite quickly”

Quite. Thank you.

“…it inflates its stomach and intestines with air”

It appears so.

“Armadillos are solitary animals that do not share their burrows with other adults.”

So what are they calling my husband?

But here’s the REAL kicker:

“Armadillos have FOUR BABIES at a time and they are always the SAME SEX.” (According to Snapple Real Fact #745)

Good Grief!  Seems I’m destined to become Road Kill!

Until we meet on the side of the road,

PS Thanks to my friend Julie, for passing along her Snapple cap to inspire this post!