How to pack

Want to know how I do it? How do I pack for 3 kids for 8 days away from home and fit it into 1 duffel bag?

No? Then check back later

Yes? Read on.

First I do a little planning ahead. I figure out if there are any special occasions or events that require special attire.

I like to use the 2 gallon size plastic zipper type bags.

I pull out all the clothes that I might like to bring with us for the number of days we are planning on being away +two extra per kid.

I start laying out outfits. I happen to like it when the kids somewhat coordinate their clothes. Coordinating means that they are roughly wearing the same colors or the colors don't look crazy together. When we visit family, someone is always taking a picture. I like knowing that what the kids are wearing will somewhat match and look good in the event that picture gets printed and hung on the wall or made into a Christmas card.

For each day we are planning on being gone, I make a pile with the following stuff:

1 pair of William pants, underwear, socks, and shirt
1 pair of Amelia pants, underwear, socks, shirt (tights/dress/sweater as it necessary)
1 pair of Gemma pants, shirt, socks

I put all items in 1 giant ziplock bag together and zip it shut. Sometimes if there is a special occasion dress, I will put in the hair accessories for the girls as well. I could do this for every day, but I usually just pack them separately since the girls wear a lot of the same bows over and over again.

There is usually a little bit of air left in the bag. This time we were a little more pressed for space with all of the Christmas gifts needing to be transported. John helped me by laying on top of each bag and pressing the air out. Then we were able to throw everything into one bag for all three kids.

While we are out of town, I can just pull one of the big bags of clothes out and get my kids dressed. This is much easier in the mornings too. No digging through bags to find the right socks or different pants.

The only down side I have found is that when someone needs a new outfit because of spilt milk or wet from snow. Then I need to have an extra set of pants/shirt/socks. I don't have a great solution to this other than having an extra on hand or rewearing clothes from a precious day.