Help me prepare for month long trip that involves 2-3 day drive

[Emily~Anne]

We will be leaving January 2nd for Florida. This will be a 2-3 day drive. Last time we had to pack baby stuff, so at least this time we will not have to pack baby stuff as Galen is a big boy now. ( , my babies are growing too fast!)

This is what we have to fit in the van: 2 adults,2 children, 1 big dog, 1 medium sized dog, 1 kitty in her medium sized crate (crate has to be big enough for her bed and litter box, we will use a camping sink for her litter box as it is smaller and has higher sides) Also, a wheelchair that does not fold, and our homeschool stuff. So..what do you think?

We have a mini van, the longer type fortunately. We do have a ski rack thingamajig on the top of the van, so much of what we pack we will bungee cord to the top of the van. I am figuring if we cant fit it on top of the van, it's not coming. I am nervous about packing homeschool books and DVD's on top of the van though, unless I can find a SUPER secure waterproof way to do that.

We will bring lightweight coats and hats, and leave heavy coats at home. This takes less space. We'll plow through the northern part of the trip as fast as we can.

Last year, we brought way too many toys and the van was flooded with toys. This year we have the laptop which is also a portable DVD player so we will get a plug thing so we can plug the laptop into the cigarette lighter (If they make these?) and the kids can be content couch potatoes the whole way. I hope! This will allow us to pack way fewer toys. We will have Color Wonder books with extra markers on hand for Galen who is four, and crossword, etc. books for Tyler who is ten.

Can anyone recommend some good movies for a ten year old and 4 year old?

What about the house, we are leaving the house in the middle of brutal winter, that will be a first for us. This winter seems to be particularly harsh. I guess we should have the water shut off? What should we leave the heat at? I already know to put the mail on hold. I do have several neighbors I trust.

[Guest Biblicist]

Wow, sounds lik you are going to have your hands full. You are very brave to drive all that way with two dogs and a cat. We have trouble with them in our house, I can't imagine the dogs and cats in a vehicle!

How come your husbands wheel chair doesn't collapse? That would take up so much room.

Movies for a 4 & 10 year old. How about Harry Potter? KIDDING!

When my two were little we liked the Adventures in Oddesy movies. Of course, Veggi Tales are always winners. You might get tired of the theme song after 3 days in an enclosed vehicle! I do not know what is out there now, since my children are past that stage in life. At 15 and 12 they are not interested in "baby movies". For me though, I would not even suggest anything Disney. Just too suggestive in their themes. If I think of any other ones, I promise to pass them along.

My daughter said the Little Einstein movies are great for 4 year olds. And she loves Spirit Stallion of the Cimarron. She loves horses. It's Disney, but about animals so it's "safer", according to my standards.

I sure do wish you could stop by here so we could meet. What about on the way back? It's a little ways East from 75 maybe an hour and a half. Maybe we could meet somewhere? Well, talk it out with your hubby. It would be SUCH FUN!

[Emily~Anne]

Bibs, we have discussed stopping to meet you. We would LOVE to meet you and your family! If we do, it would be on the way back and maybe we could meet up at a restaurant? Let's see how we do on the way to Florida. If the cat has non stop diarhea and Henry has seizures and the kids whine and cry non stop, and the little one fills his pants, we might me inclined to just haul home as fast as we can!

Harry Potter.... very funny!

Little Einstein, we'll have to check that out! Is it a TV show as well? I dont let the kids watch much TV so I dont really know what is current. The fact that they dont get to watch much TV means they'll be more interested in the DVD's on our trip! I really hope anyways!

I am also considering some oldies, such as:

• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
  Willy Wonka And the Chocolate Factory (the old version)
  

Theme songs will not drive me up the wall as I am deaf!

My husband's wheelchair does not collapse cause he was hoping the ones that do not collapse would be sturdier and last longer, turns out that is not the case. Next wheelchair will definately be collapsible!

[shanee]

have a safe trip

[Guest Biblicist]

Bibs, we have discussed stopping to meet you. We would LOVE to meet you and your family! If we do, it would be on the way back and maybe we could meet up at a restaurant? Let's see how we do on the way to Florida. If the cat has non stop diarhea and Henry has seizures and the kids whine and cry non stop, and the little one fills his pants, we might me inclined to just haul home as fast as we can!

Harry Potter.... very funny!

Little Einstein, we'll have to check that out! Is it a TV show as well? I dont let the kids watch much TV so I dont really know what is current. The fact that they dont get to watch much TV means they'll be more interested in the DVD's on our trip! I really hope anyways!

I am also considering some oldies, such as:

• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
  Willy Wonka And the Chocolate Factory (the old version)
  

Theme songs will not drive me up the wall as I am deaf!

My husband's wheelchair does not collapse cause he was hoping the ones that do not collapse would be sturdier and last longer, turns out that is not the case. Next wheelchair will definately be collapsible!

Sorry, I forgot you were deaf. You should have a great trip then! My sister's father-in-law used to wear ear plugs on family trips. No kidding.

Swiss Family Robinson might be of interest to the 10 year old, but I think your little one may be lost in the story. Maybe while he's napping, it could be a treat.

I have no idea if Little Enistein is a TV show, my Sister has the videos for her grandchildren, and the kids she baby-sits. My favorite children's tv show was always, and ever will be, Little Bear. I used to wish I was Mama Bear. http://www.worthychristianforums.com/uploads/emoticons/default_blush.png' alt=':b:'> There's also Franklin. I think you can get the series on DVD...wait lemme check...OOH, You can!!! linky

Goodie, Goodie!!! I will pray extra hard that the kids, dogs and cat are extra specially good on your trip so we can meet! Let me know where and I will do my best to be there. I'll search for restaurants near 75. Maybe a McDonalds with a play place?

When I was a senior in HS, our church group drove down to Florida in a school bus. We couldn't handle it, I applaud you for your bravery and intestinal fortitude!

[Redefine_Me]

Hmmmm... I recommend some sort of incredible-shrinking-ray to get all the stuff in the van I know the feeling though, my daughter has a disability and packing her stuff along with all the other hoopla that goes into what we think we will need is always a challenge.

As far as the water and the winter, I hope someone else can give you more knowledgable advice. When it gets really cold here, we leave a faucet dripping, but you wouldn't want to do that for a month. I'm not sure that turning the water off would keep the pipes from busting.... but I really don't know what I'm talking about there.

As far as movies, it's been a while since I had a 4 year old, but I always recommend taking something that will not drive the adults nuts in the process - like Finding Nemo, Mulan, etc... Musicals are good too, so you can all sing along as you watch them over and over and over and over and over.... again.

[Emily~Anne]

Heartworm medicine!!! I almost forgot about that! It will be warm in Florida so I'd better give the dogs their heartworm meds! I have both human and pet first aid kits stocked and ready to go.

We picked up a thing last night for plugging the laptop into the cigarette lighter of the van. It was 60% off! Got two movies, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and a Thomas the Tank Engine movie.

Today we are going to Pet Smart and getting ID tags with my aunt and uncle's adress on them.

[sierra21]

Well it sounds like you got a lot of good advice already!

Have fun on your trip and DRIVE SAFE!!

Hopefully by the time you're back I'll have had my baby and you'll get to see all the pics! Merry Christmas!

[Emily~Anne]

Sierra, I sincerely hope you have had that baby by the time we get back cause we may not get back until February and I will be very worried about you and baby if you are 11 months preggo.

Good news! We messed around with the wheelchair and found out the wheels pop right off and the seat folds right down. So the wheelchair will go on top of the van! Don't worry, we will secure it very thoroughly. It will be a pain to get up and down each time we stop, but we will be much more comfy while on the road!

[Bubba4J]

Praying for a safe trip