Beach baggage

My parents have decided to embark upon a journey with Layne and Blair during Spring Break. They are headed to Florida for a little fun in the sun and the kids are bubbling over with excitement. As I am frantically trying to pull together their clothes for this trip and assemble Easter baskets, their main concern is the extras. Well, now that I have written that, it isn't exactly true. Layne has packed a football, Legos, and a few other odds and ends. Blair has packed a HUGE purse (complete with makeup, 10 tissues (because she doesn't want to have to stop if her nose starts running), and her jewelry), the other bag has books, Ella and all of Ella's clothes, more jewelry, playing cards, two box puzzles, red sun glasses, a purple hat, and another smaller bag. This is just what she is carrying in the car with her. This is just what they deem necessary to travel with them in the car.

This weekend, Blair and I had to go shopping. The child had outgrown most all of her clothes and swimsuits from last year and her wardrobe needed to be replenished. Saturday morning, Kennedy, Blair and I hit the stores for shoes, suits, and shorts. I had a plan of action (you have to with an 8 month old) and I was determined that we would be in and out of these places in record time, worst case scenario, I could just buy and make her try on when we got home. My plans quickly fell by the wayside, when the first place we went to, I was informed that she wasn't looking at clothes until she found a new beach bag for her beach toys she was taking. When I asked what toys, Blair informed me that she was taking all of the toys that we were going to be buying that day. I am still trying to figure out how clothing translated into toys. Then, she had to try on beach hats (big floppy ones), flip flops, and huge (cover half your face) sun glasses. Three stores later, she was still determined to purchase a new bag, sun glasses, and a hat (the toys had momentarily been forgotten). As Blair was busy trying on her beach accessories, and Kennedy was busy waving at every person that smiled at her, I hit the racks and snagged a few items. I had a lot of fun shopping with the girls but by 2:30, I was more than relieved to hear Blair asking to go home to rest. 

So, the laundry loads have started, the clothes have started being put into piles, and Blair has started issuing her orders. The first being, that Layne that he is only allowed to carry one small bag but she gets two suitcases because she has a lot more stuff to take. In the midst of all of this, I have started praying- hard. Praying for safe travels, a fun trip, but mostly for my parents' sanity and that they survive a week of Blair on the road. They are embarking upon a long road trip with a chatty little girl, couple that with the excitement of both of the kids, and it is a recipe for extreme overload. It's bad enough at the house right now, I imagine that car will be more than lively. I look forward to the calls and texts from the kids and my parents while they are away, I am sure that they will have a blast. In the meantime, Dean and I will be plugging away at work, and Kennedy will be enjoying being the only child (and the quiet of the house).