Packing for a Trip

It feels like I have been traveling all summer. I am getting pretty good at packing and thought I would share my method. I get all my clothes and lay them on my bed usually biggest to smallest. I don't fold them I just lay the shirts flat with the arms outstretched. After all the pants, shirts and sweaters are laid on top of each other, I pile the things that can get wrinkled, swimsuit, coverup, pj's, underwear, socks etc. at the top of the pile.

I fold the sleeves around the bundle.

Then I fold the clothes packet in half.

Here is the suitcase opened after getting to my destination. Some of the clothes are actually less wrinkled than when I put them in.

Here is how I pack my carry ons. I use a rolling carry on bag. I used to get so tired carrying my bag and purse through 2 airports, that I would be cranky by the time I got through.

You are allowed to bring on 1 bag plus one personal item. They never say how big your purse can be. I bring the biggest purse I own. I put my regular size purse inside the big purse and can take way more stuff. I pack magazines, ipod, homework packets for the kids, notebook, snacks, beach hat etc.

This reminds me of my worst trip ever! Kyle and I took our 5 kids to Hawaii, at the time they were 15, 11, 8, 2 and 1. We flew from Arizona to California to fly out there. The plane was delayed 6 hours. After waking up early, a 6 hour delay, a 5 1/2 hour fight to Hawaii, carrying 2 babies and diaper bags through 3 airports. I was literally wiped out for days.
I learned a huge lesson, #1 to rent the carts that hold all your bags and #2 have rollers on everything. This includes each child with their own rolling carry on.
Had I planned better and taken care of myself, it could have been a great trip. Instead I tried to be superwoman and leave the house perfectly clean, pack the kids, load the car, carry the luggage, not rent the cart for $2.00, pack the kids and bags in the rental car and go to the hotel for a complete breakdown. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Why do we try to do so much?