December 2006

Gone are the days when Alec and I could just go away for a few months with nothing but a pair of backpacks. Travelling requires more strategery, but this is one of my strengths, so allow me to share a tip:

You do not need to bring it all with you!

Flying with babies is a whole new adventure. After a recent trip to Chicago (when we did not travel light), I discovered that there are many ways to avoid carrying 17 bags, a stroller, a suitcase full of diapers, a carseat and a sleeping place for the baby. Here’s how:

1. Call before you go. If you’re visiting friends or family, can they borrow a bouncy seat and a pack n play for a few days? Does the hotel already provide portacribs? Whitney and I bring our own sheets so it will smell like home and that’s a lot easier to pack.
2. Send stuff ahead. Jet Set Babies and Babies Travel Lite both send ahead kits of diapering and feeding supply “bundles.” You can do it yourself on Drugstore.com.
3. Shop when you get there. Do yourself a favor and carry on one diaper per hour of the flight and toss a few more in your luggage. Then plan to buy ‘em when you get there. On this same trip to Chicago, we only packed about 10

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… or How to Host a Clothes Swap Party.

We’ve mentioned this idea here and there, but maybe it’s time to full-on tell you how to throw a clothing swap on your own.

I have hosted no fewer than seven clothing swaps with my stylish friends and spawned at least two known copycats. For the record, this is better as a a no-kids-allowed event (or just pre-crawlers), so let Daddy take junior out for a hike while you get a little girl-time. The whole thing can take less than two hours.

Here’s the step-by-step to planning and hosting:

1. Work with your partner or a babysitter to find a good day for this event. Plan around naps and try to avoid mealtime so that you are not trying to be Martha Stewart while you are running around your living room half-naked.
2. Send out an evite to all your potentially willing friends.
3. Set aside a good hour and clean out your closet of stuff you haven’t worn in a year or wouldn’t want to wear right now if the proper situation presented itself. Be brutal. If you’re feeling those pesky post-partum body issues, get a good friend to help. (Do your marriage the small favor of not asking your husband if your “butt looks big in this”!)
4. Clean and fold the things for the swap. Consider pressing something if you really want it to go to a new home. Have a separate bag of clothes so ugly you’d be embarrassed for your friends to see (stained t-shirts for instance) — these can go in the pass-through pile (modeled by Whitney as “Before”)
5. Think about how you’ll set up your space for the event. Is there a mirror handy in the living room or will you have to tidy up your room too? Is there space for hanging clothes? If you have room to “merchandise” your stuff, it is a little more fun to “shop”.
6. Make little signs — use the computer or write on index cards what the categories of clothing are so that guests can sort their offerings. (Download our labels here.) And, have a few blank labels available for the day of.

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Shana from Wee Travel tells us the best way to spend a week in Vancouver with little ones. Wee Travel (started by two moms who are sisters living on opposite sides of the country) rents baby gear and toys delivered to your door. All equipment is like-new and safety checked and sanitized prior to every rental. They also service Victoria, BC and Toronto.

Vancouver is a gorgeous city summer and winter (even when it rains!!!).

MONDAY — Granville Island
First stop is definitely Granville Island. Babies will enjoy the busy sounds and sights of the market and older kids won’t want to leave the Kids Only Market. (You do this first as it’s probably a place the kids will want to go back to so you can use it as a bribe if necessary!!!) There are a host of things to do in the market- The Adventure Zone is a great climbing activity and Camelot Kids is a wonderful toy store. They are very selective with their picks so you can select from top notch toys.

After an exhilarating couple of hours playing, walk over to the Granville Island Market for some great eats. Lots of different foods to choose from for everyone in your family. Lee’s Donuts is a great treat, as is Terra Breads. Fresh fish, meat and poultry are in abundant supply and always fresh. There are too many great spots to name them all here. Admission is free.

TUESDAY — Stanley Park and Vancouver Aquarium
Stanley Park has great walks for strollers and toddlers alike. Be sure to check out the garden paths and the lovely views.

If you have time and money, the Vancouver Aquarium is a “must see”. You can watch the beluga and dolphin shows and my son’s favorite is Tag the sea lion. He is humongous and fun to watch, especially at feeding time when he is on “best” behaviour. If you stand right up next to the glass you’re sure to get wet!

There are hands-on activities downstairs and an array of beautiful fish. Another favorite area is the tropical garden where the birds fly around freely. At certain times of the year the butterflies have hatched and there are hundreds and hundreds flying about. Sometimes they will land on your arm! Children under 3 get in free.

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