When ever I need help with a particular problem, I refer back to my favorite WFMW posts. Until the day Shannon becomes a household name like Flylady and has a WFMW website complete with archived tips, I will continue to save my favorite posts with my Firefox Evernote extension. When I find a helpful tip that I know I can use later, I highlight it, click my "evernote" button and it is saved for me. I also do this with quotes, recipes, etc. that I find on the net. There are other "note taking" applications on the net that would work as well.
So, now is one of those times I need help. We are going on a 12 hour road trip this weekend. I have a 4 year old and a 5½ year old (boys). I need travel tips!! :)
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I'm not familiar with Evernote, but I do love my Firefox!
As far as the road trip, I am not generally a proponent of TV in the car, but we have always been able to borrow a DVD player or VCR from someone, and it really was a lifesaver, especially when we were traveling at night and my older daughter couldn't even read or color or whatever. Music that they like works for me, too, especially if they should be sleeping, but can't sit still long enough to sleep!
Posted by: Jennifer, Snapshot | Wednesday, August 30, 2006 at 06:14 AM
Hey, good tip!
Go to your local Dollar store, and buy markers, notepads, little sets of toys, scissors, rolls of tape, mini building sets, what have you. Also buy or bring a totebag for your boys' new loot. Every so often, toss a new toy into the backseat.
My other tip would be BRING A CHANGE OF CLOTHES for them with you to the front seat. My four-year-old threw up THREE TIMES on our last car trip.
Posted by: Beck | Wednesday, August 30, 2006 at 06:49 AM
I haven't heard of Evernote, but we do use Firefox -- I'll have to check it out.
For traveling, we had our boys bring a small backpack and a combination of books, coloring books, stuffed toys, cars, etc. I would always get some new things just for the trip and bring them out a little at a time as needed when they got bored. We also got a few travel games -- I don't know if your guys might be too young for these, but the travel-sized Connect Four was a favorite. They also loved music and story CDs. Somewhere we found a "travel bingo" pad -- I don't know if they still make them or where to find them. But it had several things you might see on a road trip (cow, construction sign, etc.), and you marked off when you saw it.
If traveling where it's hot, be careful about leaving crayons in the car. One of my childhood memories involves a new box of crayons melting when left out in the car in the heat. Maybe colored pencils would be better. :)
Posted by: Barbara H. | Wednesday, August 30, 2006 at 07:29 AM
Hmmm cool I am going to have to get that extension. I am having problems with my Firfox showing my blog just like my IE displays my blog. Any suggestions?
Posted by: Laurel Wreath | Wednesday, August 30, 2006 at 08:14 AM
Road trips... I wrote one for toddlers - http://lilduckduck.com/long-car-trips-with-your-toddler-how-to-survive/100 and a list of airplane tips that might still be relevant - http://lilduckduck.com/how-to-entertain-kids-on-airplanes/135 - my little guy is still younger so I'm not sure if those help you at all. I wish you well, anyway!
Posted by: MamaDuck | Wednesday, August 30, 2006 at 09:22 AM