Packing Day!

We committed to ourselves that we would be PACKED by 8-15-13!  This means everything clean, organized and put in luggage by tomorrow!  If we pull it off, it gives us an additional 3 weeks to get any last minute stuff.  It also ensures that everything fits in our luggage and our luggage is not over the weight limit.  Most importantly, it helps to avoid people wearing a key item and losing it or forgetting to put it in their bag at the last minute.

So how are we doing toward this goal? So far, all the kids are packed and Cliff and I have not really started J This is partly because Eagle Creek has the slowest return policy known to mankind so Cliff and I are still waiting for our backpacks. (See earlier post on luggage.)

The kids have their large bags packed, their daypacks for the plane packed and have even put what they will wear on the plane in a separate bag.

For the twins, we returned the small Eagle Creek bag ($250) and opted for the more affordable roller suitcase from Target ($30.)  Since there was NO CHANCE Tuck and Jones were ever going to be using the backpack feature, we decided not to waste money on fancy luggage engineering.  Jones got one with purple polka dots and Tuck got camo….perfect!

As we packed, we took advantage of two great technologies, packing cubes and zip locks!  Ziplocks are the absolute BEST for storing things that may never get used.  Like the micro-down jackets…we may use them everyday… or never…who knows!  The kids had fun helping to sit on the ziplocks to get all the air out.  Who needs compression bags?

After reading how much the Roaming Jones worshiped their packing cubes, we decided to use packing cubes too for everyday items like pants and shirts.  And here is what I learned about packing cubes….they are really expensive, relatively speaking! Considering it is just a small nylon bag, it is pretty ridiculous.  Luckily, I spotted packing cubes at IKEA when I was there two weeks ago.  You can get a set of 4 packing cubes for less than half the price of one cube at REI.  I got each person their own set and bought a silver Sharpie so everyone could put their name on theirs.  They certainly make packing and unpacking much easier!  Thank you Roaming Jones!

So Cliff and I have 24 hours to pack so we can catch up to the kids and stay on schedule…wish us luck!