Time to pack!

I think it's safe to say I have a love/hate relationship with packing. As a planner, it's right in my wheelhouse to make a list of what we are doing each day, selecting what we will wear, making a spreadsheet. But every time it's time to start putting things into suitcases, I get a mental block. But here's my method, for better or worse!

In my master spreadsheet, I have a running To Do list and with 4 days to go, it's time to start packing. Not really though. I've been at it for weeks. As I come across things we will need for the vacation, I pull them out and put them on the dining room table. I think it helps me not forget the little things but truthfully it makes me crazy because I have a stack of stuff sitting on my dining room table.

The bowling ball isn't coming with us. The dining room table is also the place I put things I've taken away from the kids when they are driving me crazy. Bouncing bowling ball is top of the list lately. Also, that burnt out light bulb is really bugging me.

Small things gathered, it's time to print the packing list!

Next, I put the dining room chairs to work. I label one for each day of the trip, with notes about what we will be doing that day. Then, I put the clothes for that day for each of us on that chair.

Next, I roll the outfits and put a rubber band around them. Rolling supposedly takes up less room and keeps the clothes from getting wrinkled. Here are all the clothes for the kids in nice little rolls.

Meanwhile, under the table...

The suitcases are starting to fill up! Anne is determined to bring her painted rocks. They keep inching closer and closer to the suitcase.

Can't forget the passports! Here's a nifty little travel wallet that I made to hold the whole families passports together.

Finally, the bags are packed and full. Including two stowaways.