Idaho to Texas Road Trip: Day 1

 

Well, Day 1 of traveling is in the books and we made it about 600 miles without too many tears from any member of our traveling party and are right on track for the trip! 

Thanks to planning well and a little bit of last minute panic and throwing random stuff into our bags, we actually had plenty of everything to last us the entire 9 isn hours of road time. When I get back to home base, I’ll definitely be putting together a “Traveling With Kids” post (or 11, because kids are crazy humans and need too much schtuff).

My mom and I traded off, with one driving while the other entertained H in the back, and I’m so impressed with how well he did. While his first nap was a tiny little snooze, he got a late 2-ish hour nap in later in the afternoon and was a much happier camper after finally giving into the sleeps.

 

We made it to Utah

And into Wyoming

And finally to our first hotel of the trip.

 

And we still have another long day of traveling the next few days so hopefully today wasn’t a fluke and things tomorrow will go just as well!

 

Tips for road trips with kids:

SNACKS

We have a few basics we always make sure to have with us. Like carrots, blueberries, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, salami and crackers, and animal crackers.

WATER

All. The. Water. It’s so so so important to stay hydrated when you’re on a long car trip, even though that may sometimes mean a few extra stops for the loo on the way. I’m totally vain and have found that if I have a cute bottle to use, I’ll drink more water than if it’s out of a plastic bottle from the grocery store or a plain ole’ regular cup.

Before we headed out this morning, I filled up our “Fit for We Mommy & Me” water bottles with lots of ice and freezing water to keep everyone fully liquid for the journey. Because they are wide-mouthed bottles and have a removable strainer under the lid, I didn’t have to worry about ice spilling out and water gushing all over my face and clothes.

My mom, H and I were able to all share the 25oz and 18oz bottle that come together in the kit, and the size was easy for us all to hold and the best part about them was the fact that they fit so easily into regular cup holders so I didn’t have to worry about them toppling all over the place. They also have a double closure system to prevent spillage, which is awesome.

BOOKS + TOYS

I’ll share our system when we get back, but he read and shook his toys around the entire trip, super contently and loved when one of us would read with him.

MUSIC 

This is a given right? Music to listen and sing to during the fussy nap-fighting times. Don’t rely on radio stations when you’re on a road trip, because you will more than likely go through areas of low / no service and in that case, CDs and / or playlists on your iPhone will be a lifesaver.

One of my favorites in particular is Jammy Jams, a fun, modern twist on lullabies for “parents who strive to create memories with their little ones while teaching them a thing or two about their own style”. Jammy Jams is not your average kid’s music, at all. This is the kind of music I’m not embarrassed to be caught listening to, even when I’m without H.

We loved Jammy Jam’s Pop Goes Lullaby 4, and now have recently been gifted Once Upon a Rhyme and both are on heavy rotation. California Love, Summertime and Big Pimpin’ are probably our favorites right now, but all 10 are awesome, especially for this long car trip. 

I utilized Jammy Jam’s digital download option and have everything loaded onto my iPhone so that I’m never without these very cool, soothing and G rated tunes. When H is fighting his naps on these long days on the road, it’s so easy for me to hit play and hum along and see him calm down and watch his eyes get heavy.