flying essentials

You guys, I had quite the weekend.  Will's sister and brother-in-law (you know, the ones with one three-year-old and three one-year-old triplets!) are making a HUGE move from Denver to Richmond this week and Phase One was what I like to call, "in-which-we-get-the-kids-to-Virginia-happy-and-in-one-piece." And I'm so glad to report that Phase One was a success! Me and another family member flew from Newport News at 6pm on Friday night, spent a night in a hotel, and flew back with Krista and the four kids on Saturday. I think we were actually in Denver for about 13 hours. It was a little bit of a whirlwind trip but let me tell you:  those children could not have been any better behaved. All three of the babies slept for at least 40 minutes during the three hour flight, and when they weren't sleeping they were content to play quietly with one of us in our seats. And Grayson was a champ and passed the time with books and an iPad and some snacks. There was no crying, no complaining, no difficulties at all. Truly, they were the perfect little travelers. I was amazed and honestly, relieved! :) I'm so happy to have them here staying with us this week before they move into their new house on Friday, and here in the same state, soon to be only a short 25 minute drive away! 

My quick trip prompted me to come up with a little list of flying essentials.  Since I was sharing a carry-on bag with my travel buddy, I didn't have room for anything extra, but knew I had to have certain things to make the trip as easy and as comfortable as possible.  Here's what I came up with:

In my carry-on:
-1 change of clothes
(with warm socks because my feet are always cold)
-cozy pajamas
(to hopefully make sleeping in a new bed a little easier - sadly, this didn't work for me)
-toothbrush/hairbrush
(you can get everything else at the hotel)
-a good book
(I always have to have something to do)
-snacks and a bottle of water
(I took a mix of banana chips, raisins, almonds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds, a granola bar, and some Reese's Pieces, as well as some goldfish for the kids)
-Vitamin C drops
(for that extra immune boost)
-a travel pack of tissues 
(I always need tissues)
-small board books and a few small toys
(After all, I was traveling with children!)

In my purse:
-wallet
-keys
-phone
-headphones
-charger
-cash

You might be surprised to see that I didn't include knitting on my list, but I didn't want it to get tangled up in my carry-on with the toys. I could just see my ball of yarn rolling under the seats in front of me as I pulled out another book. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss it on the flight out though.

What do you think of my list? Would you add anything? Leave anything out?

Hope you have a great week!  I'll be here, hanging out with 6 adorable kids!