OK.. this is why I stress everytime I travel

Everyone always asks me how I can travel with 3 kids alone. It takes a lot of preparation... this is SO IMPORTANT. Many people want to come by a few days before we leave to say goodbye and I often say NO. This is when I am most busy. So, sorry if I have ever told you no. You also have to have children who understand the rules about flying and you, the mommy or daddy, MUST have PATIENCE.
So, from Left to Right: Baggie with passports, airline rez info, important paperwork, etc.. and in a separate airline baggie my liquids (put this in a easy place to get to for security checks). Can/Bag of formula. 3 blankets.. one for each child. Extra diapers and wipes. I pack 1 diaper for every hour of travel time. So, 16 diapers this trip. That's actually not that much. Yeah! Next, snacks and my book (If I'm lucky enough to even open it. I can dream right?) Last, the DVD player and a big baggie with 1 outfit for each of us. This includes socks, underwear, etc.. Even for me too. Not shown is the ipod, headphones, US cellphone, camera, and our FLIP.

Paige is the only one taking a carry on this time. Blake's bag is packed in another one of the 3 checked bags. What do we bring back you ask? Bags, inside of Bags of course!

So, From Left to Right: Books. I let the kids each pick 6. Blake has his car holder where he can pick 12 cars, trucks, trains, etc.. (Paige took Barbies once and never played with them.. so that was the end of that). Next, is the coloring book, workbook, game, puzzle, entertainment holder.

Not shown:
3 large checked bags. Important: Remember what your bags look like and put something different on them to identify them quickly at the baggage claim. I put a ton of diff. color ribbon all over it.. really, it's everywhere. Also, use zip ties to close the zippers. They say not to but this way you know if they opened your bags. Also put a waterproof tag outside and then a tag inside as well.

Diaper Bag. Self Explanatory. Bring a lot of pacifiers if your child likes them. Those suckers drop and they are gone...

Stroller. Important. Make sure you get a GATE CHECK tag so they know to deliver it once you land.

Lunch Box. My kids are allergic to dairy and since we usually travel for breakfast I pack cereal bowls (ones I don't care about so I can throw them away), cups of milk and pb&j sandwiches (I don't trust airplane food). They usually don't allow any liquids but if you let them know BEFORE it goes in the xray machine they are much nicer about it. They usually have me take a sip out of the sippy cup - the kids absolutely think this is the funniest thing ever.

Base for the carseat. Since I can't take this out until we get the airport I bring a big trash bag, scissors, a towel, a label, lots of my color ribbon and tape. I take the base out when we get to the airport and wrap it in the towel, put it in the bag. Then I tape it closed, put the label on and put a ton of ribbon on it. This way it matches my other stuff and it's easy to find since it's going to be checked.

It doesn't apply to us going to CA but when we travel to Denmark we have to think of the weather... warmer clothes, extra jackets, etc...

Hope this makes you want to travel across the world. Really though, it's not that bad.. and it's worth it!