Packing

We are going on vacation! The time to pack has snuck right up on me. I have my lists (3 to be exact) in hand, ready to face the tasks.

I have what needs to be packed for our children and myself, the personal items that the family will need. Those items that make living together possible – soap, shampoo, and deodorant as well as some comfort items.

I have my list of foods to make, buy and pack. This list has a menu attached to it! I like to bake cookies, muffins or breads to freeze so when we arrive at our destination we have goodies to eat. It is also nice to make salads at home, package and put in the refrigerator upon arrival. I also buy some items that I would not normally purchase for us to have at home. Vacation, after all, is a time to relax, enjoy, and have fun!

We are headed north…to Canada. We have gone to the Portland area twice in the past and have really enjoyed it. It is a small town, complete with a nice store, diner on the lake and a small but wonderful playground. What more could we ask for? However, we had to rent a house we are not familiar with, so we may be father from our little town than we want to be. We are right on the water again with a beach so we won’t complain. We’ll spend a lot of time in and on the water. We have a boat rented, the Big Guy has replaced all the line on the fishing poles and has sorted through (and added to) his tackle box. I think we are ready. I cannot wait to snap shots of the big fish (that did not get away). The fishing is great so I am sure all will have a story or two to tell! Fish for dinner, anyone?

Our daughter vaguely remembers our previous two trips to Portland. It will be the first (out of womb) trip for our son. We have told him about the Hershey factory we will visit as well as a small cheese factory (great curds!) and two quaint towns we like to walk around. Two of us, not me, are excited about visiting a small but wonderful little fudge shop – trying to decide what flavor(s) to purchase. Not that I won’t eat any fudge but it is not what I am anticipating! I am thinking lazy mornings, lots of fun in and on the water in the sunshine, lots of family time and pictures. Total relaxation!

There is still a lot to do before we leave. The majority of the packing is my responsibility (thus the lists). I also have to clean the house before we leave. Check-in time is in the afternoon so we don’t have to leave our home at o’dark-thirty so that is comforting. Leave a clean house – return to a clean house.

I am taking a few knitting projects (quick and simple) that I can work on between snapshots of the big fish and some books have checked out of the library. DVD players will be rigged up in the truck and each child can take 3 movies with them as well as the Leapster and DS. And what would a family vacation be without a few board or card games? Have to be prepared for rainy days or evenings.

After all the prep and packing, I will definitely need a vacation! And the weather forecast looks wonderful!