The things they carry (on family trips)
Just some of the stuff we’ll be bringing to Yosemite.
When you leave home on an extended trip, you never know when you’re going to want to have a tin pencil case in the shape of a mummy. Or when you might need that unwrapped green straw from Starbucks. Or when you’ll be looking for a ladybug eraser.
But if you’re one of my kids, you bring these items anyway. Just in case.
Yes, as we pack up for this week’s family vacation to Yosemite National Park, the girls have opted for some unusual items to bring along for the ride.
The mummy tin, green straw (??!!??), and ladybug eraser are only highlights. Also in the gyre of ridiculousness they plan to take: A die-cast double-decker bus, a Lego rectangle, a plastic Cinderella amulet (which sings when you depress the center), a bunch of bow-shaped hairclips, two pieces of wooden model railroad track (but, peculiarly, no trains), a Candyland game piece, a ball-pit ball, and old t-shirts that are way too small (apparently these will serves as “nightgowns” when the stuffed kitties get cold at night).
Powerwoman and I don’t really understand why the girls want to bring all of these tchotchkes—not one bit. At the same time, we recognize the familiarity our kids have with each of these items, and respect the notion of bringing some of those familiar goodies along for a trip to somewhere new.
Sure, travel is exciting. But for little ones, it also must be scary (to a point). We’re in favor of anything the girls can do to make the experience more comfortable.
And if we need to invoke ancient Egypt along the way, we’re covered. Thank goodness.
What silly/ridiculous totems do your kids insist on bringing for family vacations?
My son is extremely attached to his Thomas trains. Its always a discussion as to which ones are coming and which ones have to stay home. Then which of our 101 books can come. Then we need ALLLLL our sleep friends which right now include a Pillow Pet Thomas, a Sleep Sheep named Lamie, and a wind up flashlight (which is used to light up a scary room, but also needs to be tucked in with him).
Robin: Sounds like you’re toting quite a party! One thing we’ve learned over the years is to consolidate books onto a Kindle (or other mobile device). Definitely makes the whole family travel experience a little lighter…
I am fairly certain my son just grabs whatever is in his line of vision when packing his backpack for travel, so that may mean one plastic dinosaur, a bouncy ball, one card from a deck of cards and a random postcard. Nothing logical!
Love this. I wonder how many of the girls’ items fit this description, too. Thanks for reading (and commenting), Andrea!