Vegas is a zoo (or, What to pack for a toddler on a trip)

That was wild!  Early on I decided there's plenty of drinking, gambling and, um, skin in Vegas so the really unique and amazing sight to see was our little toddler!  He perfected his aversion and coyness skills and had a blast.  Everyone was really very kind and accommodating, we saw lots of amazing things and we had fun.  Really.  More about all of that to come but for today here's my (oh, wait... The boy's) new bag.  I don't think he actually carried it once, but I had about an hour and a half the night before we left and he needed a carry on for his first flight.  Actually I've been thinking of this bag since our summer vacation and wasn't going to let this opportunity pass (who knows when we'll ever have another trip!). 

The boy picked the zoo fabric out from the growing collection under the bed.  It's lined in red with orange on the straps (thanks to you, Trina!).  I used a thin batting in the middle with a little Peltex on the bottom for stability.  With no time for measurements I was really happy that it actually worked.  I was going to use iron-on Velcro but the messenger-style flap was big enough to keep it all in and it worked great throughout the trip. 

I said I was going to write a list of toddler traveling delights last time and forgot.  These were all really successful items for a trip with a two year old and they all fit in the zoo bag:

• tape
• solar calculator
• sticky notes
• star-shaped hole punch
• clothespin doll kit
• kaleidoscope
• lots o' snacks
• coloring books with stickers
• water bottle
• index cards
• washable crayons
• washable markers
• books
• drawstring bags with little toys
• finger puppets
• wind-up car with track

I was worried about the time we'd spend in the hotel room but the selection of things we brought with us worked out great.  I found a little wooden set of farm animals with a barn and tractor and whipped up a little drawstring bag for those before we left.  At the same discount store I found a little Manhattan Toy Co. Take & Play Neighborhood fold-out kitchen & garage (little, with people you can play with).  The whole idea was open-ended play (well, I guess it always is around here...).  We brought two of our favorite Richard Scarry books (lots to talk about with those) and two compilation books (If You Give a... stories and Curious George stories).  Including a dollar store visit I spent under $25 for a great selection of things that kept us busy for many, many hours at the airport, on the plane and in the hotel room.

I am so glad to be home.

Comments

[Kira]

Hope you had a good time in Vegas, I can't wait to see what you guys did! Maybe you found some fun new things that I can take the kiddies too! :) And what an adorable bag, great job! :)

[Irene]

I love that bag especially the strap. Your inside colors are great too. I forget to buy great colored solids all the time. You've reminded me to stock up!

[Stefanie]

Your baby boy has GREAT taste in fabric!

[Trina]

I love the bag. I'm so glad the fabric I brought over is coming in handy! I'm glad you guys had a good time in Vegas, we did miss you at my birthday dinner.

[Allison]

I LOVE that bag!!!