This week is Spring Break for my son, so I am soaking up some quality time with my kiddos. I’m trying to make it a special week of more than just the usual stuff, so we are taking a few day trips. Yesterday, we drove about 2 hours to go to the best zoo in our region. You would think that it would have been a simple trip, but as all thing go with little ones, it wasn’t.
When we got out of the car after our two hour trip, I discovered that Emma had poured her entire box of chocolate milk all over herself. It was all over her shirt and her pants, making it look like she had a really disgusting dirty diaper. It was only then that I remembered that I had left her “emergency” change of clothes on my kitchen counter. Awesome.
What did I do? Well, what could I have done? We just went about our business as other moms were looking upon my poor, dirty child in horror. Our situation was not improved when she slipped in some mud and then Zack drug her across the ground as he was trying to help her stand up. Oh, and she took out her bow and left it by the fence near the tiger exhibit (an offering?). At any rate, she was looking a little disheveled by the end of our zoo visit.
Even after all of that, the kids had a great time at the zoo, and I did a pretty good job keeping calm in all the crazy. I’m generally not very calm in that sort of situation, so I was quite proud of myself.
I’m going to push my luck and try an overnight trip with them later this week (and I hope that they will agree to let their loving, caring mama stop at some vintage stores along the way). This time, I’ll remember the “emergency” change of clothes and will hopefully live to tell about it.
If you’ve done the overnight trip alone with your kiddos, please give me your tips for survival when you are outnumbered two to one. I think I’m going to need them.
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I have two giveaway winners to announce today!
Congrats to Brenda, who will likely use her $50 gift card to Marshalls/T.J.Maxx for some new home decor!
And congrats to Kristin, who’s going to rock a custom red and white monogram sign from Signs by Andrea!
Ladies, please send me an email (LivingWithLindsay@gmail. com) so that I can get the prizes to you! Woo hoo!
Hi Lindsay –
Love your new look. I read your blog in a reader usually, but decided to use the NEXT button today. Looks great.
Thanks, Diane!
I think we’ve all been there and done that at one time or another! I have taken all 3 kids on a trip by myself and just a few months ago took the younger 2 kids to Legoland for 4 days on my own. It was a great trip, but the secret is to never expect too much, set your expectations low and pray for lots of patience. Usually that helps me get through and be completely surprised at how well everyone does!
Patience! You are right – patience is key. 🙂
I took my 3 year old and 7 year old 8 hours away to Legoland Florida for a week’s vacation….all by myself in November. Honestly, I just rolled with it. Whatever happened, happened. I just tried to enjoy every minute. We each had our meltdown periods that’s for sure.
LOL I survived it! I took your advice and just rolled with it. Thanks!
New to your blog but looks like you already did a facelift. Love this cute pic of you. Oh my kids are not little anymore but I do remember these days and they go by far to fast. Take it all in. Go with the flow as much as possible but just incase: 1 extra set of clothes/wet wipes on hand ALWAYS/snack cracks/juice and a soft blanket and your covered. 🙂 We always had little gifts wrapped for our kids if they got antsi when we traveled. They would get a small pkg toopen every hour. Something that kept them busy. Book and crayons, cards, cookies, a small toy…
Thanks, Julie! I did take that extra set of clothes, and we ended up needing them. 🙂
An overnight trip? YOU are coocoo! I recommend ear plugs for you and a large supply of tootsie roll pops for our kids. They are yummy and last forever!!!
Hope you have a great time. You’re a good momma.
Thanks, Amanda. We all survived it and had fun, so I guess it was a success!