life Reading Travel

5 on a Friday: Mostly Travel Edition

March 31, 2023

1- LOVE ALL OF THE PACKING CUBE WISDOM. And the suitcase recs! I am sold on packing cubes but . . . can I get them in time? I am going to hit Target on the way home from work and at least see what they have.

I know we will be traveling consistently, so I feel ready to work on actually crafting some solid organizing and rituals and routines. The “bedtime cube” concept of putting everything needed for kid bedtime into one cube is also BRILLIANT.

2- SPEAKING OF TRAVEL . . . I am reflecting on our itinerary. This will be more of a sightseeing/experiencing trip than a relaxing trip. Honestly, I enjoy both. But I think the last time we’ve done this kind of a trip as a family was like . . . 2018 (OMG THEY WERE CUTE!).

Skiing is different, and beach trips are more for relaxing. Theme park trips are an entirely different animal (one that I . . . feel like I need a decent break from, personally).

But like sightseeing trips? This will be our first in quite some time. I really hope it:

a) goes relatively smoothly

b) feels relaxing overall

c) will provide lots of fun memories for everyone.

3- SPEAKING OF TRAVEL AGAIN: I successfully submitted the kids’ passports for renewal, since they are just expiring and we will need them by late July!

Needed: special completed 2-page form x 3, birth certs x 3, parent IDs, checks, old passports x 3, new passport photos, and both parents present. I asked the woman doing the processing how often people actually have what they need during these appointments to successfully apply and she said . . . 5%. I felt like I won a prize . . . though they did comment that one kid photo (taken as an official overpriced passport photo at the drugstore) was slightly blurry and ‘might get rejected’. Apparently you just send in a replacement if that is the case.

4- Every time I get a notification that I have a book ready to pick up from the library I marvel over this phenomenon. Here is my current holds list:

Spare by Prince Harry is below that but it got cut off 🙂

5- And on a low note, this is happening in my state. And right after the Nashville tragedy . . . which I keep thinking about. It honestly does truly make me want to move. And donate/do more with regards to this cause. A worthy Q2 goal.

13 Comments

  • Reply Irene March 31, 2023 at 2:27 pm

    I live in the greater DC are and look forward to hearing about your trip! DC is a great city for kids your age. I think you will get a lot out of being in the downtown area and soaking it all up. Try and leave lots of time for that!

    Have so much fun, maybe I will see you around 🙂

  • Reply KGC March 31, 2023 at 2:49 pm

    Have the best time! I live between DC and Baltimore so you’re coming to my area-ish. My son is on spring break next week and we are planning 1-2 day trips into DC – my kids have never been to see any of the sightseeing-y stuff. Will try to say hi in a non-awkward way (this may be impossible…) if we happen to see you!

    • Reply Sarah Hart-Unger March 31, 2023 at 2:53 pm

      OMG would be very fun and exciting if I ran into anyone who reads here, so yes please say hi if our paths happen to cross!

  • Reply Erin March 31, 2023 at 3:49 pm

    I just got Spare off hold and so far I’m kind of bored!! I’m not to the Meghan part though so maybe it gets more interesting!

    • Reply Sarah March 31, 2023 at 5:10 pm

      I thought it was boring as well! I was listening to the audiobook and got about 45 minutes in then decided I didn’t want to waste my time on it anymore.

  • Reply Laura March 31, 2023 at 4:46 pm

    Here’s to kid passport organization! I hope you expedited 🙂

    • Reply Sarah Hart-Unger March 31, 2023 at 5:11 pm

      Yes I did!!!

  • Reply Ann March 31, 2023 at 8:50 pm

    Have a great time in DC! As a local my last minute advice would be don’t hesitate to pop in and out of museums for short visits since most are free – portrait gallery and the building museum are two faves. Any restaurants in the Clyde’s restaurant group are crowd pleasers. It’s going to be windy but those are my favorite days with cherry blossoms – with the petals swirling around, it feels magical.

  • Reply Jenny March 31, 2023 at 9:51 pm

    Wait. How is this bill supposed to “promote school safety???” Now I’m depressed.
    Yes, we just got my daughter a passport and it “only” took TWO trips to the post office and four hours of waiting in line. Why is this so complicated??? In our case, since my husband took her and I couldn’t be there, I had to get a form notarized as well as all the other paperwork. It’s crazy. I can’t imagine doing it for multiple kids.
    I’ve heard all the raves about packing cubes, but never tried them. I think in your case they will make things 1000% easier. You’ll have to let us know how they work out!

  • Reply Omdg March 31, 2023 at 10:59 pm

    Register republican and vote for trump in the primary otherwise that nazi is going to win and destroy the country. Cheers. We are all so effed. It’s like a race to see who can promote the stupidest legislation. I don’t know how you live there. Remember 1/2 you neighbors (at least) support him.

    • Reply Sarah Hart-Unger April 1, 2023 at 5:07 am

      Probably less than half in my neighborhood but … I know.

  • Reply Emily April 1, 2023 at 1:21 pm

    You will love Pineapple Street (candy/pure pleasure but smartly written) and I Have Some Questions For You!

    Very excited to follow along on your DC trip as I’m hoping to take mine (C and A’s ages) this fall.

  • Reply Meg April 1, 2023 at 3:03 pm

    A thought on “A Little Life”…as I was checking out at our local bookstore with it the barista said “ooooooooo that is a SUPER depressing book.” I was committed and forged ahead. It was a wonderful read for its construction, but it is indeed a depressing book. Sharing in case you want to plan when/how you read it….

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