The Olive Pit

Corning, California

Not known for corn...

but for its OLIVES!

I would venture to say that EVERY tree in this city is an olive tree.

Even in the campgrounds and trailor parks -- yes, olive trees.

Here are some baby olives!

And so many olives to try...

Some were really good!

Others... well, I think they're an acquired taste.

'Park' It Here...

We went to a fun kids' park.

In the summer it's a little water park.

Even though the water park hadn't officially started yet,

they had some water features going.

In the summer, this mountain the kids climbed on would erupt with water every 30 mins!

Pretty cool!

The playground was extra good for Porter!

(He's wearing his eyepatch here.)

'Park' It Here...

We went to a fun kids' park.

In the summer it's a little water park.

Even though the water park hadn't officially started yet,

they had some water features going.

In the summer, this mountain the kids climbed on would erupt with water every 30 mins!

Pretty cool!

The playground was extra good for Porter!

(He's wearing his eyepatch here.)

Traveling with Kids Tips

On our trip to California, the kids did great.  We wanted to share some ideas with you that helped.  AND, share some ideas that we'll definitely be using next time.

1) Pockets on the back of seat in front:  perfect for a clipboard, coloring books, reading books.

2) Bucket or Table in between two (booster) seats: perfect for toys they can both play with.  (we had my little ponies in a bucket.)

3) Activity Box between seat and window:  stickers, index cards, postcards, pencils, bracelets/rings/crown, etc. (good for kids with motion sickness - no reading involved

4) Toilet Trainer seat/potty in back of van/car with clorox wipes and a gallon jug of water:  with a seat you can set it on the ground or ontop of rocks; the potty trainer - kids can go potty in privacy of car where it's mostly still warm.  

5) Flashlight:  can help you see when it's dark and they NEED to pee!

6) Blanket & pillow in easy access.

7) DVD Player:  we don't like to use this too much, but it definitely helps the time to pass quicker.  Especially when there's an hour to go before our next stop.

8)  Cards and little booklets are great for documenting your trip.  The girls drew pictures of the windmills that we passed in Tehachapi, CA.  Also, they drew pictures of the family we were going to see and wrote their names.

For Next Time:

9) At the dollar store, there are these plastic shower caddy baskets with hooks:  They fit quite nicely on the metal pole of the headrest in front of them - above the pocket.  Can be used for quick access to shoes or whatever.

10) Suction cup baskets:  great to hold and separate the little items that need somewhat easy access to (like crayons, snacks, etc.).

11) Speaking of snacks:  With the suction cup holders, you can have one for a snack bag for them to snack on.  

What else might help?  

Have lots of little snack baggies ready for when they're all done and they can get another baggie at the next stop.

12) We had one kid behind the driver seat.  We needed something to go behind the driver's seat that provided lots of dividers and pockets.  Something like this can be made out of fabric.  Until I come up with something else, a fabric divider or a shower caddy should work great.  

13) Oh yes! Don't forget to use those handle bars above the windows.  Porter likes his pull and vibrate toys there - hooked on with one or two of those plastic links.  Use those to hook whatever you want onto those bars!

14) Have a list of games that you can play with the kids while on the road.  (ABC signs, songs to sing, traveling bingo, etc.)

*** I can't tell you how nice this trip was!  The girls absolutely LOVED the stickers.  They had their own sticker book.  And it kept them busy for a LONG time.  We drove for more than 24 hours this past week.  The wierd part? I can hardly wait until the next time!  Hope this helps!  You're totally welcome to take and manipulate these ideas to fit your kids' ages and needs.  Hey, share the wealth!  My kids are getting older every day!***