Dear Reader,

no joke I feel like if I roll one more jacket, ball up one more pair of socks, or have to find that elusive perfect travel stuffie for a demanding child who can’t find it in his room- I may lock myself in a dark room never to return to the light. I have been packing, it seems, for months what with Big G’s going to camp and our trip to Ireland I have been rolling, zipping, and strapping through many of my waking hours. I have learned that there are a few indispensable items that make this mundane preparation a whole lot easier. So, here they are:

Packing Cubes

With two boys close in age it’s easy to begin to mix up socks, underwear, etc. These cubes are great when unpacking due to touring (such as our Ireland trip) is unadvisable. Big G has orange on this trip and Little G has blue. The guys know the drill and are able to keep their clothes organized using these cubes. Also, going through customs or being checked at security is much easier when clothes are organized.

Eagle Creek Travel Gear Pack-It 2 Sided Cube, Pacific Blue

Canvas Pack-It Cubes

I actually upgraded to these parachute material bags myself.

Eagle Creek Travel Gear Luggage Pack-It Specter Packing Cube, White, One Size

The go to packing item for any trip

Luggage

(Disclaimer: I ONLY do carry-on.  C’mon, you can do this and, it saves SO much time and also in the long run it makes the whole trip run much more smoothly)

Now maybe it’s not a necessity, but these bad boys are like the Fred Astaire’s of the luggage world. The kids maneuver them deftly and happily. I have been known to let a bag or two go down ramps watching kids and/or adults careen out of the way of the runaway bag. I would never recommend such a thing, however. I just purchased this bag and was amazed with what I could fit in it.

Werks Traveler 4.0 20″ Rolling Upright Color: Emerald

This bad boy comes in a great green color. I LOVE it.

The fellas are using these bags which are smaller, lighter and easier to use when the tribe is tired. So, I know longer have to wonder what strange staph virus may be entering my child as he sits on the floor of the airport.

Tumi Luggage Alpha Lightweight International Carry-On Bag, Spruce, One Size

Multi-tasking Tumi Four Wheeler

The Most Indispensable Travel App

TripIt – Travel Itinerary – Trip Planner

Okay, so may I state that the most idenspendsible travel App that I never leave home without is Tripit. Tripit lets me know when my flights leave, arrive, are delayed. The app welcomes me to my destination, tells me the terminal of my connecting flight, and reminds me that I am leaving (sadly at the age of 47 I now need that). You forward your itineraries and confirmations to Tripit and the Tripit gnomes magically input it and, viola, your itinerary with hotels, flights, rental cars magically appear. As well, if your flight is delayed or the gate changes an alert magically appears on your smartphone letting you know of the delay (often times well ahead of the airport attendants).   I have never had a problem with this application and it has saved me countless hours of frustration and waiting.  I love my iCal, NetFlix, and PvZ (anxiously awaiting #2) apps, but Tripit is the first app that would make my life harder not to have while I was traveling.