Packing! Packing! Packing!

Ah, the joys of packing – said no mom ever! Seriously, it used to stress me out like nobody's business. The struggle of trying to fit everyone's essentials into a few measly suitcases without resembling a traveling circus. Because let's be real, the more hands-free we can be, the better.

Picture this: a two-week trip with five people and attempting to cram everything into four carry-ons. Sounds ambitious, right? Well, let's just say the excitement of our boys having their own suitcases quickly fizzled out somewhere between the check-in counter and security. Cue my husband, the reluctant luggage wrangler, juggling four rolling bags while I played circus ringmaster with our toddler and the stroller. Lesson learned: Can you pack for a small village in carry-ons? Sure, but just remember who's gonna be doing the heavy lifting – literally.

This year, we decided to ditch the carry-on overload and went for two big checked bags and a carry-on each, plus our trusty double stroller. And you know what? It was a game-changer. Oh, and let's talk about the Airbnb game plan. Laundry facilities? A non-negotiable. Because let's face it, kids + travel = mess. Being able to toss a few detergent pods into the mix cuts down on the packing drama, big time. Now, for some pro tips from the trenches: always stash a change of clothes and your must-have essentials in your carry-on. Trust me, you'll thank me later when your luggage decides to take an impromptu vacation without you. And finally, packing cubes and compression bags – the unsung heroes of organized chaos. Embrace them, love them, and never look back. Your sanity will thank you. So there you have it, fellow pack mules. Embrace the chaos, roll with the punches, and remember, it's all part of the adventure.

Here are some of our tried and true luggage pieces (yes I did include the carry-ons because they were awesome... just need to get the kids onboards with pulling their own weight!)

Packing cubes: https://amzn.to/3vUxDML

Compression bags: https://amzn.to/43ZLBJZ

• no vacuum required: just seal and roll!
  

Luggage scale: https://amzn.to/4cSRaOj

Kids carry-ons: https://amzn.to/3xHXGqO

Large checked bag: https://amzn.to/3W1GRkT

• I prefer the non-clamshell type suitcases. I find it sooo much easier to organize and throw in the packing cubes (my personal experience). Here is our suitcase: