We survived yet another trip. While Honeybun is nearing the 100 airplanes mark, Doodle marked off one, two and three. Aside from a few glitches going and coming (like one of our suitcases getting lost and having to manage getting three children on the plane by myself), we survived quite well. In fact, for the first time since Sugarplum joined our family I got a compliment on how well behaved my children were.
I think, though, the hardest part of air travel as our family has expanded has become the amount of carry-on bags we need. I’m fairly good at packing lightly when needed, but the amount of stuff that is needed (or might be needed) is large when you have small children.
In all, coming back alone with the kids we had 6 carry-on bags: my handbag, Doodle’s diaper backpack, Honeybun’s backpack, Sugarplum’s backpack, and a rolley bag (in addition to two car seats and the buggy). I love the rolley bag especially because it’s a two-piece with a small front section that zips off the larger main bag so while it counts for 2 carry-ons (it doesn’t fit in the overhead bin while full and both pieces attached), it carries as one bag and the front easily zips off to go under the seat and the larger section goes in the overhead bin.
I use the smaller bag to carry what I will want during the flight like my iPad, Kindle and books or magazines. I also put anything that needs to come out at security such as toiletry baggies and any milk I may have for the baby, this makes it quick and easy to disassemble and reassemble quickly at security. I use the bigger bag for everything we might need in an emergency type situation such as extra snacks, clothes, diapers and wipes as well as things I won’t need on the flight but don’t want to check like our camera.
In each of the girls’ backpacks I put a few simple things. I let each girl pick 3-4 books to take as well as have them fill a smaller bag with toys of their choosing. I also always take s Crayola Color Wonder book and markers for each, their water cups and their blankies/lovies. Lately they’ve also wanted their animal neck pillows for sleeping on the plane and I also bring their LeapPad which they share.
I usually pack the diaper bag in another bag but this time we needed the bit of extra room for things. This trip I put the infant pillow for Sugarplum’s carseat in the diaper backpack since Doodle used it in the car in Colorado but Sugarplum used it on the airplane. And as far as my handbag goes, I don’t usually put extra stuff in there. I keep room available for extra stuff as needed or misc. bits and pieces.
