When my parents’ house was in escrow and my brother and I were basically sobbing through our days, my parents came up with a plan. They decided that they wanted to celebrate with a family trip to Hawaii. I gave them the side-eye like, “Are you trying to distract me from the fact that you just sold my childhood home?…because don’t get me wrong, I can be distracted!” I was talking with Mike last week and I realized that we have never gone on vacation with my family. We have an annual trip to Arizona with Mike’s family, but in the eleven years Mike and I have been together, we’ve never gone anywhere with my side. I am really, really excited – it’s been nine years since I vacationed with my parents (sans Mike), and I haven’t gone on a trip with my brother since high school.
Annabel is also beside herself, and has been following me around all weekend as I’ve been prepping for the trip. I finally told her to pack her suitcase, and this is what she decided was essential for a trip to the beach:
Nailed it.
In between writing out instructions for the house-sitters (poor Rigby doesn’t get to go), I’ve been packing suitcases, weighing the pros and cons of bringing a stroller, and prepping a backpack of goodies to distract Annie on the plane, including a bunch of art supplies. I know she’ll enjoy drawing on the flight but there’s noooooo way I am going to chase dropped pencils all over the plane. So, I hot-glued yarn to colored pencils and tied the other end to a spiral notebook. Hopefully this will keep the pencils within arm’s reach.
This will be James’ first flight, but he’s such a chill little dude that I’m not worried about him. He’s happy just being cuddled and smiled at. Annie will be full of energy but I’m hoping our early flight will lead to a nap…if not for her, for me!
Since we’re leaving in a few hours, I need to grab all the last-minute things and try to sleep a bit. I hope you all don’t mind if I turn the blog this week into a travelogue of our trip!
Becca Masters says:
I’ve never been to Hawaii! I’ll be happy to live it up through you!! have a great time!
Maris says:
Ditto:)
samatwitch says:
Have a fantastic (and safe) trip. I’m looking forward to seeing pictures of Annie and James in Hawaii.
Dawn says:
You’re a genius with that yarn/hot glue idea.
May the napping gods be with Annabel.
Share lots of photos!
LD's Mom says:
Ditto! I am definitely going to try that idea. Thanks for sharing and enjoy vacation with lots of relaxation!
Cynthia says:
So happy for you, have a wonderful time! Not sure which airline you are taking, but Hawaiian has lots of inflight entertainment choices for the kiddos (and everyone, of course). Aloha, Spohrs!
Sue says:
Have a wonderful and safe trip!!! Can’t wait to see all of the photos!!
Tammy C. says:
Awesome!!! I’ve never seen the ocean & I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii!! Can’t wait to see the pics of my favorite family (next to my own of course) on their vacation!!!
amourningmom says:
Distraction is always a good choice! Safe travels & have a fantastic time! xo
Stephanie Wald says:
In case you want unsolicited advice, here is some!!! Call Baby’s Away in Hawaii or before you leave & rent a stroller! You can also rent all kinds of other stuff from them (we rented a crib, toys, highchair, etc.). They deliver & pick it up to your condo or hotel. We did it in advance but I’m sure bc it’s off season they will be able to accommodate! We had the best time! Can’t wait to hear about your trip!
Tam. says:
How exciting!!! Have a fabulous time!
alimartell says:
Okay, the hot-glue and he yarn and the crayons is GENIUS. I have flown hundreds of times with my kids and I won’t tell you how many hours I have spent picking up dropped crayons, markers, and other writing utensils OMG.
Also, YOU’RE GOING TO HAWAII?!?!?! Have the best time!
Miriam says:
Agreed, genius!! You need a crafts section. Have a wonderful time!!!
Aubrie says:
Awesome! Have fun! We are going to the beach in Florida for a week on Friday. Not quite as spectacular as Hawaii, but it’ll do for me!
Beth says:
Hawaii is my happy place. Wondering if the marker trick worked or if the yarn got tangled. Enjoy paradise!
Alexandra says:
THAT WOULD BE AWESOME totally looking forward to your travel log!
Jordan Taylor says:
at least she got the goggles (sorry… “gobbles”) right! Safe travels!
Chris says:
My absolute favorite place to go. I’m jealous, can’t wait to read all about it and see the pictures. Safe travels.
Donna P says:
Oh! For a moment there I was afraid I wasn’t going to get my daily dose of Spohr family life for the next week, but glad to see that you intend to blog while in Hawaii (but if you decide not to, that’s perfectly OK too)! In any event, have a wonderful holiday and I think Annie’s suitcase is perfect. What wonderful memories will be created. Enjoy!
Stephanie says:
Ah, I love Hawaii. You’ll have the BEST time, especially since James is still small and portable. It’s so much easier than when they’re walking. Oy.
And yes, the glued on yarn = genius! Totally doing that next time (but not until our younger one is at least 3 because I still have nightmares flying with her last month to Walt Disney World).
Rachel says:
So excited for you guys, I can’t wait to see pics!! I’m sure Annie and James will loooooove Hawaii!
Glenda says:
Safe travels! Enjoy your vacation with family! So excited for you guys!!!
What island?
Can’t wait to see all of your pictures and hear all about it!
The yarn on colored pencils… genius!
Rebecca says:
Just make sure the televisions there have a feed of the baseball games. Wednesday and Friday over in Boston are the first two. It can be kind of confusing who to cheer for so just remember cheer for the red team with the BIRDS on the shirts. Go Cardinals!
And~ I’m so glad you plan to share stories/photos of your trip. I am completely landlocked and really want to visit the beach and collect shells and feel the warm sand on my toes and have sand in my hair and all over the place. It’s a dream. So I can’t wait to read/see your beachy stories
MissyK says:
OO! So excited for you all! Have a wonderful trip & I look forward to lots of pictures. Oh & the hot glue yarn thing…sheer GENIUS!
Damita H says:
Can’t wait to see your adventures! I was more worried that you were going to say the blog wouldn’t be updated till you got back. Have a safe trip!
Jeanie says:
Have a wonderful time! Looking forward to pictures.
Paula says:
What a great vacation! I hope you all have a great time!
Jessica says:
So excited for you! I lived on Oahu for three years when my Dad was still in the Marine Corps. We visited Maui and the Big Island while we were there. Hawaii rocks! Have an awesome time!
Annalisa says:
I’ve been to Hawaii twice BC (before children), and much as I loved every minute of it, I’m purposely holding out on it for a few years because I almost didn’t survive my 3+ hour flight with one kid earlier this year. Now that I have two who alternate screaming (or even better, the older screams “Baby it’s okay!” over the other’s wails), I refuse to get on a plane with them unless someone in my family has an emergency of sorts.
tl;dr: a 6+ hour flight with two kids? Brave of you.