What we've been up to recently...

Well, the past two weeks have been a whirl-wind. I won't go into too much detail, but we had one of my favourite and bestests visiting (Emily and her Mom Joanna), and we've taken several day trips. We've enjoyed lots of sunshine, and lots of happy times. Here are some of my favourite highlights:

- Molly being soooo excited to ride a carousel (honestly, she nearly died from pure joy)

- Enjoying good food (Mmmm....Mother India)

- Amazing ice cream (Nardini's, the best place to take a kid for ice cream)

- Beatiful Loch Cruise on Loch Lomond

So You Think You Can Pack

Hubby and I once spent two weeks in Italy, only taking carry-on bags. And we just got back from 9 days in NYC, with a toddler, and only carry-ons. Actually, to clarify: G's and my things in one suitcase and 1 small back pack, including 40 diapers; Dan's things for 3 weeks in the other suitcase (he left straight from NYC to Europe for another 2 weeks).

Even if we check our bags, I'm an advocate for packing only what we'll use, and packing light. After all, who wants to schlep around more than they need to?

How do we do it?

1. Clothing: Take versatile pieces, and plan on wearing everything at least once. And try to find a way to do laundry at your destination, if necessary.

2. Toiletries: Bring travel-size bottles, not the full-size from home. And if you're traveling with your spouse/buddy, share the toiletries that you bring so you can divide it between your suitcases.

3. Use packing cubes. I *love* these things because everything has its place. Makes it easier too if TSA needs to open and search your bag -- then my suitcase doesn't explode everywhere.

4. Get an iPhone. I admit that I was a reluctant adopter of the iPhone (it sat in it's unopened box for about 2 weeks after I got it), but I love how one little device can take the place of my notebook and pencil, scriptures, iPod, book light, alarm clock, camera, book, and movie player. And more? (Too bad it can't be my blow dryer too.)

5. Be honest with yourself. Are you really going to wear all those clothes that you want to bring? Or read all of those books? Do you really need a full-size tube of toothpaste for just a week? After each trip, I take an audit of what I did and didn't use, and hopefully pack better the next time.

Do you have a packing strategy?

Brooklyn, NY - How Sweet It Is

Brooklyn and NYC became our home away from home last week. And we had such an enjoyable time! Most notably: we left our laptops at home, and didn't check any work email (that's a first, really); found the housing swap to be successful; met up with family (Hubby's parents, my aunt and uncle and cousins, my grandparents) and friends (Hubby's childhood friend, freshman college roommate). And we planned our daily itinerary around what we were going to eat. It was certainly a high-calorie trip! But as we like to say, food is our favorite souvenir (and it doesn't take up any space in your suitcase).

And I'm slowing letting myself fall in love with my iPhone. On this trip it was great to use the phone's camera rather than another device (and I'm loving Instagram!). And Google maps and the NY subway apps were invaluable for navigating the city, checking on train times, finding our way when we got lost.

What's your favorite part about traveling?

{We were in search of the best pizza in NY, and Motorino got our vote.}

{At the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. G insisted that I climb in too!}{Cutest thing showing in NYC last week.}

I don't even like children!

I think I had an 'ah-hah!' moment this week. Okay, I'm sure of it. It was a revelatory experience, to be sure.

As I was in the midst of babysitting 4 kids who are "free spirits" (plus my own, but she's not allowed to be a free spirit yet), in a massive house with too many nooks and crannies, I suddenly stopped and thought to myself, "Why am I doing this? I don't even really like kids!"

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Molly, and to a lesser extent, I love Grant, and Nate, and our Marinello girlies. I adore many of friends' kids, and I am amused and tolerate some of the others. But, I think for a long time (possibly always?) I've been trying to convince myself that in order to be a good woman/mormon woman/mother/aunt, I absolutely must LOVE children and be an all-nurturing entity that espouses wisdom and delight and thinks of nothing but craft projects and playtime activities.

After years of living in denial, I think I'm starting to come around to the philosophy of "being a good Mum to my own children does not mean I need to be a good Mum to every child."

As they say in Glasgow -- Ainae gannae happen

No pictures?

We had a fabulous 4th of July BBQ last night. Since it is one of the few times a year I can delight in American food without ridicule, we enjoyed snicker apple salad, pasta salad with ranch dressing (ooh, ranch!) and bacon, and flag cake. But, wouldn't you know it? I was so busy trying to keep Molly from getting burned and making sure everyone was fed and happy, I didn't take any pictures. So, you'll just have to imagine us in our front lawn, with our lovely friends enjoying the cool evening and some American root beer.

But, enjoy this lovely pic of a fancy 4th of July spread. Oh, the vintage joy!

To Do - Friday, July 1

We're just 1 week away from when we head to NYC. And a 1/2 day away from when we head out to Lake Almanor for what might be Grandma's last trip to the lake home. So much to do!

We're doing a housing swap for our NYC trip (a friend's sister's family will be staying in our place), so in addition to packing and planning our own daily itinerary, we've got to make sure our own home is spick-and-span for our guests. Still to do: Clean the oven, wipe down the freezer, wash all the bed linens, wipe down counters and floors (to be done the night before we leave).

And need to pack up the car for today -- it's a 5-hour drive to the lake house and we'll leave early afternoon. But that'll have to wait a few...my little dude is in my lap, wanting to watch Elmo on YouTube. :D