And We’re Off

The suitcases are packed.

The passports are tucked in my purse.  And thank God Scott’s arrived.

The new Camera + Computer Backpack is loaded up and I can tell already that it will serve me well.

In the past few days I’ve gone to:

Target for a cheapie hair dryer and a few toiletries and pre-trip odds and ends

Bed Bath & Beyond for a Baking Supplies fest.  Gotta bring things down to bake with!

Trader Joe’s

Ralph’s

Bank

Rite-Aid

Post Office to stop mail

I gave nuts.  i.e. I’ve given Skylar’s teachers their gifts

Washed and gassed the car

Made a jillion phone calls because once we get there it’s about 75 cents per minute to make calls to the U.S.

Cooked, cleaned, washed sheets, cleaned out the fridge

Clipped lots of toenails and fingernails (I swear kids’ nails grow so fast!)

Packed everything from suitsuits for Skylar and I to stevia to Advent calendars to the gifts that Santa is bringing in his sleigh.  Or that mom is bringing in the suitcase ensuring that it will be overweight and we will be paying that lovely overweight baggage fee.   Ahh, but Santa comes for all good girls and she’s been amazing this year.

And about 8765 other things.

It’s kind of mind-boggling how busy I’ve been getting ready.

I haven’t slept much.

Good thing I’ll be getting tons of sleep on that red eye tonight.  Ummm, yeah, sure.  With a 4 year old and thousands of dollars of valuables in my carry-on in either the overhead bins or at my feet, I’m sure I’ll be awake either singing the Wheels on the Bus or making sure no one robs us.  Scott will be snoring before we even take off.

So in honor of being crazy frantic leading up to our trip and flight tonight and because I know when we get there, the first half week or so is a blur and no elaborate cooking projects will happen, I decided to break in my new mini-donut pan.

Everyone bakes donuts in advance of an international trip, right?  Makes perfect sense.

It involves this.  It was either use it or lose it in Operation Fridge Cleanout.

The Eggnog Chai Smoothie I made with the ‘nog was good.

These are ridiculously good.

Including an eggnog glaze.  Rum optional but encouraged.

Stay tuned for the recipe…

Or just make these for now.

The next time you hear from me, with any luck, I’ll be here…

Doing some floating and a whole lotta nothing.

Questions:

1. What’s on your agenda for the weekend?

Any (Holiday) baking projects? Hope so!

2. How do you plan, prepare, or pack for trips?  How long does it take you to pack? How do you decide how much (or little) to bring?

It’s a mother’s unwritten job to think of everything from band-aids to deodorant to snacks to the favorite blankie to Santa stuff to the husband’s passport so that he doesn’t forget it.

And pack for myself, too.  That’s the easy part.

It’s packing for two other people and household stuff and thinking 3-4 weeks ahead of the curve and will I have enough child probiotics to give her in 23 days from now and did I remember cards for Scott’s birthday and did Santa bring enough on the sleigh…that is a little dizzying.

But if it got forgotten..who cares!  I try my best but if I forget things, whatever.  We’ll live.

And it just means it’s time to pour another pina colada on the beach!

Have a great weekend!